Introduction

They have multiple important biological roles, including membrane functioning, neurotransmission, signal transduction, and eicosanoid synthesis. Concordant with these findings, omega-3 PUFA may have positive effects in the treatment of schizophrenia Emsley et al. Besides dopamine, glutamate is thought to play a role in schizophrenia Tsai and Lin, On the basis of the hypothesis that the glutamatergic system may be compromised in schizophrenia, the use of N -methyl- d -aspartate NMDA receptor modulators may compensate for alterations in the glutamate system Singh and Singh, The glycine transporter-1 GlyT-1 plays a pivotal role in maintaining the glycine concentration within synapses at a subsaturating level.

Sarcosine is a GlyT-1 inhibitor, meaning that its presence results in increased glycine concentrations. Lower cerebral glycine levels are suggested to be found in patients with schizophrenia. The administration of sarcosine is therefore proposed to relieve symptoms of schizophrenia when added to nonclozapine antipsychotics Lane et al. Whereas the mechanisms of NAC are now beginning to be understood, NAC is probably exerting benefits beyond being a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione, also modulating glutamatergic, neurotropic, and inflammatory pathways Dean et al. Eastern herbs are provided in the context of treatment with complete systems of medicine that evolved over thousands of years, such as TCM and Ayurveda.

These treatments include prescription of herbal compounds, massage, diet, acupuncture, and the regulation of lifestyle Clifford, ; Kaptchuck, Most clinical studies were performed on acupuncture beyond the scope of this review and on herbal compounds.

Nutritional therapies for mental disorders

His idea was partly built on studies by Osmond and Hoffer and Hoffer and Osmond , reporting good results when treating patients with schizophrenia with large doses of vitamins, especially vitamin B3. Hoffer , published two more positive results with B vitamins. However, attempts to replicate his findings seem to have failed Ban and Lehmann, ; Wittkopp and Abuzzahab, The contradicting findings may be explained because vitamine B is suggested to be effective in early psychosis but not in chronic schizophrenia Hoffer and Osmond, One of the proposed mechanisms is abnormal one-carbon metabolism due to vitamin deficiencies Hoffer, Folate status in patients with schizophrenia correlates inversely with negative symptoms Goff et al.

Oxygen is essential in life but also generates reactive molecules so-called free radicals throughout the body. These free radicals are potentially harmful because they can damage essential molecules such as DNA and the enzymes necessary for proper cell functioning. Antioxidants may capture these reactive free radicals and convert them back to less reactive forms of the molecules Singh et al.

Research suggests that oxidative damage maybe due to defective enzyme systems may contribute to the course and outcome of schizophrenia Fendri et al. Ascorbic acid vitamin C , an antioxidant vitamin, plays an important role in protecting free radical-induced damage in the body. It is present in brain tissue and dopamine-dominant areas in higher concentrations compared with other organs Harrison and May, Ginkgo biloba, an extract of the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree, is also suggested to have antioxidant properties Maclennan et al.

Long-term treatment with antipsychotics is associated with a variety of movement disorders, including tardive dyskinesia TD. Both dopamine receptor supersensitivity and oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity in the nigrostriatal system are suggested to be involved in its pathogenesis Kulkarni and Naidu, The pineal hormone melatonin is a potent antioxidant and attenuates dopaminergic activity in the striatum and dopamine release from the hypothalamus Shamir et al.

Thus, treatment with antioxidative agents may have a beneficial effect for both treatment of psychotic symptoms and prevention of TD. Vitamin E has been suggested for TD because it is a lipid-soluble antioxidant that decreases free radical formation Herrera and Barbas, Interrater agreement on the Jadad scores before consensus discussion amounted to 0. Interrater agreement of all three assessors was 0. Any scoring disagreements between the assessors were resolved through consensus discussion between these three authors.

The RCTs with a Jadad score of 3 or higher were included in the current review, categorized into six groups see the Classification of agents section. For each of the studies fulfilling the selection criteria, the following assessments were made: In total, RCTs that matched the inclusion criteria were identified. Eleven RCTs on omega-3 were included Bentsen et al. In studies combining antipsychotics with omega-3 PUFA, one from five study on negative symptoms in schizophrenia found some positive effect in patients using clozapine; Peet and Horrobin, , two from four found some positive effect on positive symptoms Peet et al.

One from one study on omega-3 PUFA without antipsychotics reported a decrease of positive symptoms Peet et al. Some nonsevere adverse effects of omega-3 PUFA were reported, such as mild gastrointestinal problems and increased bleeding time. Nine RCTs on glycine Buchanan et al. Glycine improved negative symptoms when combined with antipsychotics in six from seven studies Buchanan et al. Positive symptoms improved in one study Heresco et al. No adverse effects of glycine were reported, except some mild gastrointestinal complaints.

The three largest studies with the highest Jadad score did not show a significant effect of d -serine on any symptom Lane et al. In four from six studies, d -serine did not improve adverse effects of antipsychotics Lane et al. Insomnia, weight gain, palpitations, and other adverse effects of d -serine were reported. One study found improvement by d -serine without antipsychotics, but this was significantly less compared with the improvement in the olanzapine group; D-serine, however, caused less adverse effects Ermilov et al.

Five from five studies found no improvement of adverse effects of antipsychotics Buchanan et al. No studies were reported on d -cycloserine without antipsychotics. No adverse effects of d -cycloserine were reported. The only study on d -alanine reported positive effects when added to antipsychotics on negative, positive, cognitive, and general symptoms, but no effect on depressive symptoms Tsai et al. No effect on adverse effects of antipsychotics was found. Adverse effects of d -alanine insomnia and nausea were reported. All three studies combining sarcosine with antipsychotics not clozapine found positive effects in almost all symptom domains Lane et al.

When combined with clozapine one study , no treatment effects were found Lane et al. In addition, when given without antipsychotics one study , sarcosine did not improve symptoms Lane et al. Sarcosine did not improve adverse effects of antipsychotics in four from four studies Lane et al. Adverse effects of sarcosine included weight gain, insomnia, palpitations, dizziness, and sedation. One large study on NAC added to antipsychotics reported improved positive symptoms but no improvement of negative, cognitive, or general symptoms and no improvement of adverse effects of antipsychotics Berk et al.

The large study Berk et al. Many studies on Eastern herbs were found, but only six had a Jadad score of three or higher Chen et al. Several adverse effects were reported: Another old study Mahal et al. Four from six more recent studies found significant effects on general psychopathology when adding ayurvedic herbs reserpine: The ayurvedic herbs were compared with 10 mg of olanzapine in a week noninferiority study in patients. No statistically significant differences were found between both groups examining improvement of positive and negative symptoms and general psychopathology.

The ayurvedic group had less weight gain Mundewadi et al. Two large studies by Chen et al. When kidney yang was added to risperidone, an improvement on cognitive and depressive symptoms was found in one study from two Chen et al. One study found no effect of the Chinese herb sarsasapogenin compared with placebo when added to risperidone on positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms or general psychopathology in 90 patients during 8 weeks Xiao et al. Many different nonsevere adverse effects were reported e. B1 showed some positive effect on general psychopathology when combined with B6 and B12 in one study Joshi, and on positive and negative symptoms in another Sacks et al.

B3 showed improved general psychopathology in three from nine studies Ananth et al. B6 improved general psychopathology in four from five studies Ananth et al. In one study, general psychopathology improved after the administration of methylfolate Godfrey et al. One study reported no effect of B9 folic acid Hill et al.

Another study showed a positive effect of combined B6, B9, and B12 on positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms Levine et al. Yet, another study showed improved negative symptoms by adding B9 folic acid and B12 to antipsychotics, but only in those with a specific genotype Roffman et al. B6 improved extrapyramidal adverse effects of antipsychotics TD and neuroleptic induced akathisia in four from four studies Lerner et al. In one study on B3 in 57 children without antipsychotics, cognition and general psychopathology had not improved after 6 months Greenbaum, Most B vitamins induced modest adverse effects, especially skin flushing and abnormal liver function induced by vitamin B3 and B6.

One reported improved general psychopathology and reduced adverse effects reduced serum malondialdehyde; a lipid peroxidation product when added to olanzapine 10 mg , quetiapine mg , or ziprasidone 40 mg after 8 weeks Dakhale et al. One study without antipsychotics found no effect on cognition or motor functioning after 10 days Bhavani et al. Both studies reported no adverse effects of vitamin C. Four studies on ginkgo biloba were found Zhang et al. Three from four studies found improved positive symptoms Zhang et al. In all four studies, adverse effects of antipsychotics improved behavioral toxicity, symtoms of nervous system, and TD.

No adverse effects of ginkgo were reported. Thirteen studies of vitamin E were found Adler et al. Five from five reported no effect on general psychopathology Adler et al. Agents that did not fit in the five aforementioned categories were classified in this residual category. A total of 16 high-quality RCTs have been performed on multivitamins Altman et al. Two from five studies on DHEA added to antipsychotics showed improvement of negative symptoms Ritsner et al.

Three from four improved adverse effects of drugs Nachshoni et al. The latter results in disturbance of membrane proteins, such as enzymes, receptors, ion channels, and neurotransmitters, which in turn increases levels of inflammatory eicosanoids and proinflammatory cytokines.

Navigation menu

An increased risk of suicide, commonly associated with depression, has been linked with omega-3 fatty acid deficiency. Several other clinical trials support the adjunctive role of EPA and DHA in the treatment of both unipolar and bipolar depression. Notably, low fish consumption and omega-3 fatty acids have been linked with depression more in women than in men.

In summary, further research is needed before recommending use of omega-3 fatty acids as monotherapy in patients with major depressive and other mood disorders. Omega-3 fatty acids also have a preventive role. Interestingly, a lower lifetime prevalence of bipolar II disorder has been associated with greater consumption of seafood. Pregnant women often have depleted omega-3 fatty acid stores and are at higher risk for postpartum depression and bipolar depression.

CAM therapies are safe alternatives in pregnant women with major depression.

Herbal Medicines for Neuropsychiatric Diseases: Current Developments and Research

In randomized studies that used fixed doses or a range of doses 0. However, researchers have suggested that these studies of omega-3 fatty acids need to be repeated in a larger sample of pregnant women with depression. Omega-3 fatty acids are also safe for use in children and adolescents with bipolar disorder.

However, larger studies are needed to confirm this. Pediatric bipolar disorder is a difficult condition to treat, and some pediatric bipolar patients may benefit from CAM therapies. S-adenosylmethionine and inositol have some data supporting their efficacy in the treatment of depressive symptoms. Some data suggest these compounds may be useful adjunctive treatments, but few data are available to support their use as stand-alone therapy in pediatric bipolar disorder. Gastric discomfort was the only reported side effect. These researchers suggested that randomized, placebo-controlled trials of EMPower are warranted and feasible.

The most commonly observed side effects of omega-3 fatty acids in children are nausea, heartburn, stomach pain, belching, bloating, and diarrhea attributable to higher doses and use of unrefined fish oil preparations.

Bleeding episodes due to reduction in platelet aggregation and triggering of mania are other side effects of high doses of omega-3 fatty acids. Use of omega-3 fatty acids should be strictly avoided in patients on anticoagulant therapy and antidiabetic medications. Some omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can increase low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is bad for the heart. Choline has been used effectively in ameliorating symptoms of mania.

Inositol, a glucose isomer precursor of phosphatidyl inositol linked to the second messenger system, has been found to be more effective than placebo in the treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses, including panic disorder. A randomized controlled trial in 24 bipolar patients given inositol or placebo found no significant differences between the treatment groups.

However, a trend towards improvement on inositol led researchers to recommend that larger studies be performed. However, at therapeutic doses, inositol frequently causes flatulence and occasionally induces mania. As a dietary supplement, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan is used widely as a self-medication for depression, and has replaced L-tryptophan, which caused eosinophilia myalgia syndrome and was taken off the market. No case of serotonin syndrome has been reported in subjects taking 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan alone or in combination with SSRIs.

Further, no adverse interactions have been reported between 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan and the monoamine oxidase inhibitors. N -acetylcysteine, a precursor of glutathione, is an important antioxidant in the brain and reduces oxidative stress. Increased oxidative stress and altered glutathione metabolism have been reported in bipolar and major depressive disorder.

Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA is an androgen produced by the adrenal glands, levels of which tend to decrease during mid-life in men and women. Patients taking DHEA also showed improvement in sexual function. Patients receiving DHEA experienced significant improvement in mood and body mass index, although there was no difference in bone marrow density. Thus, comorbid depression in patients with eating disorders may benefit from the use of DHEA. Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient healing system used in India, which is now practiced worldwide.

Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as an indiscriminate diet, undesirable habits, not observing the rules of healthy living, seasonal abnormalities, lack of exercise, and misuse of body and mind can result in lack of balance in the body. Diagnosis is based on a comprehensive history, detailed physical examination, measurement of vital signs including pulse, and relevant laboratory tests. There has been difficulty in conducting randomized controlled trials in Ayurvedic medicine because most treatments involve multiple herbs, changes in diet and lifestyle, and treatments are individualized and target the entire person.

Most Ayurvedic herbs do tend to work gradually and with increasing efficacy as the system habituates to consistent dosing. This is often true of herbs that are prescribed for mood disorders. However, the effect of Ayurvedic herbs is not always mild. With accurate tailoring of herbal preparations, herbal therapy can be powerful in effecting change in the balance of body and mind, eg, with mood disorders that often have complex multifactorial origins.

Patients who are intolerant to prescription medications fare better with Ayurvedic interventions, including panchakarma detoxification. Homeopathy is a traditional medical system that uses a holistic approach. Homeopathy means treating diseases with minute doses of substances which are capable of producing symptoms similar to the disease when taken by healthy people.

Positive outcomes were most frequently observed in irritable bowel syndrome Which components of the treatment were most responsible for the outcomes is unclear. No study of patients with major depression was found in a literature review, which called for randomized controlled trials using homeopathic interventions in these disorders.

There are a large number of mind-body-spirit practices that have been used effectively in major depression. Mind-body-spirit approaches are also likely to operate through the same mechanism as antidepressants, and do so in a manner similar to that of psychotherapy.

1st Edition

Evidently, psychotherapy-induced neurotransmitter changes are similar to those caused by antidepressants. Common approaches such as yoga, meditation, exercise, and acupuncture are reviewed here. Pilkington et al reported a positive impact of yoga on depression, although methodological weaknesses make the study results hard to interpret.

Improvements also occurred in anxiety, depression, hostility, fatigue, and confusion. In another study, 28 patients with mild depression who participated in two one-hour Iyengar yoga classes showed a significant reduction in depression scores compared with a control group. Meditation is a highly introspective practice that is used worldwide by people with and without health problems. The study demonstrated a significant improvement in the meditation group compared with the relaxation control and wait-list groups.

This and other research has shown that mental silence meditation, also known as Sahaga yoga, is a safe and effective strategy for dealing with work stress and depression. Eisendrath et al reported a patient with treatment-resistant depression who was treated with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, which is an 8-week intervention that uses mindfulness meditation. The focus of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is on decreasing rumination, enhancing self-compassion, increasing acceptance, and decreasing avoidance.

Regular exercise is important for maintaining good physical and mental health. Engaging in exercise for 45 minutes on five days a week is associated with improvement in patients with moderate depression. Numerous other studies support the benefits of moderate aerobic exercise on depression in various populations. It is relatively safe and noninvasive, but could have an adverse effect on those with pacemakers. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method used widely for treating a variety of physical and mental health problems.

Kim reviewed the biological mechanisms of acupuncture and effectiveness of electroacupuncture stimulation on depression as part of Yin Tang and Bai Hui. Kim concluded that the results were inconsistent due to use of different acupuncture protocols. The results indicated a significant improvement of depression scores in both groups, with no significant difference between them. Therefore, acupuncture may be an effective treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression. It is safe and well tolerated with only mild side effects, ie, bruising, pain, and bleeding at the needle site.

Integrative medicine uses a holistic approach, and is recommended in the management of depression. There are many clinical trials assessing integrative therapies for depression and other mood disorders, although they are yet to be consistently used in clinical practice, despite the need. In a randomized clinical trial that included subjects, researchers found a significant positive impact of this method on depression and on social functioning in those with mood disorders.

CAM is not a primary treatment for mood or other psychiatric disorders. However, level 1 evidence is beginning to emerge. There are a variety of clinical scenarios in which a clinician might recommend CAM for a mood disorder, including:. Mood disorders present in many different ways and are associated with a variety of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to their pathogenesis. Co-occurring psychiatric and physical conditions further complicate the treatment of mood disorders.

The American Psychiatric Association Task Force report on CAM in major depressive disorder recommends more rigorous and larger studies in major depression. Further, each type of CAM must be evaluated separately in adequately powered controlled trials. This report also suggests that several CAM treatments presently appear promising in major depression and deserve further study. Guidelines have been developed for using CAM in clinical practice. These emphasize the taking of a full patient history, conducting a complete physical examination, laboratory investigations, and a review of medications in order to make an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

All information gathered from the patient needs to be documented in the medical notes. This narrative review of the literature has some limitations. For example, limiting the literature search to papers published in the English language could have missed many relevant publications.

Other relevant articles could also have been missed because not all full articles and abstracts were available. Lack of replication studies further limits the interpretation of individual studies. The strength of this narrative review is that it has smoothly organized widely scattered data on the therapeutic effects of CAM in mood disorders.

CAM therapies are expanding in number and being tested with increasing scientific rigor, similar to the clinical trials that evaluate modern drugs for depression and other mood disorders. Solid evidence is emerging about the efficacy of several types of CAM in these conditions.

There is even some evidence that nutraceuticals, botanicals, and nutrients could be used alone as first-line treatments in mild-to-moderate mood disorders. However, severe depression, including psychotic depression, bipolar disorder with rapid cycling, and treatment-resistant depression require antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and atypical antipsychotics. CAM may be useful as an adjunct to conventional therapies for both acute treatment and prevention of recurrence of these disorders, perhaps with a reduction in adverse effects.

Patients suffering depression comorbid with liver disease can benefit from S-adenosylmethionine, which not only improves depression but also protects the liver and restores liver function. Reduction in levels of both S-adenosylmethionine and folate may result in depression that responds poorly to antidepressants yet robustly to supplementation with S-adenosylmethionine and folate.

In addition to enhancing well-being, Rhodiola rosea is recommended for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression, but needs to be used cautiously in women with a family or personal history of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. Pregnant women are at higher risk for developing major depression, and all available antidepressants tend to cause adverse effects on the fetus or newborn, but omega-3 fatty acids are useful alternatives, and with no adverse effects.

Similarly, choline, inositol, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, N -acetylcysteine, and DHEA are all reported to be more or less effective in bipolar depression. Ayurveda and homeopathic medicine need large-scale, randomized controlled trials to establish or refute their value in the treatment of mood disorders. Mind-body-spirit therapies, especially regular and long-term yoga practices, are critical for patients with moderate to-severe depression to sustain their benefits.

A number of studies also support the effectiveness of meditation, exercise, and acupuncture in major depression. Integrative medicine with an underlying philosophy that involves a holistic approach to health care uses a combination of therapies to enhance the treatment of mood disorders. Randomized controlled trials continue to be needed to provide evidence for or against the use of CAM for mood disorders in the future. The authors acknowledge the help of staff at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Riyadh, in searching for relevant literature on mood disorders and CAM.

National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat v. Published online May Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited. This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Abstract Mood disorders are a major public health problem and are associated with considerable burden of disease, suicides, physical comorbidities, high economic costs, and poor quality of life.

Introduction Treating mood disorders has become complex, given the many changes over the years in epidemiological trends, etiological models, classification systems and symptom clusters, diagnosis and diagnostic tools, types of interventions, and outcome studies. Open in a separate window. Mood disorders Mood disorders are common mental health problems, afflicting million people around the world.

Complementary and alternative medicine Increasing attention is being paid worldwide to more traditional medical systems, including Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani medicine, Siddha, and homeopathy. Table 1 Complementary and alternative treatment modalities 34 — Role of CAM in mood disorders Complementary and alternative medicine is the most practiced but least researched form of treatment because of the complexities inherent in assessment of its effectiveness in major depression and other mood disorders.

Dietary supplements as CAM therapies Over-the-counter dietary supplements nutraceuticals are used extensively by patients with depression, and are categorized as nutrients, herbal and dietary supplements, and traditional and nontraditional methods. Herbs and mood disorders Numerous herbs are known to contain bioactive substances, although the clinical significance of these needs further investigation. Rhodiola rosea The use of medicinal herbs had been widespread across many cultures since ancient times.

Saffron and other herbs A systematic review of herbs used in major depression and other mood disorders identified nine clinical trials that met all eligibility criteria. Contaminants Adverse effects Dust. Vitamins in mood disorders Vitamins B and D, folate, and trace elements are essential for the functioning of neurons, and have been shown to afford protection against certain types of mental disorders, particularly depression.

Omega-3 fatty acids in mood disorders Fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids provide eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA , which help to maintain fluidity of the cell membrane, reduce inflammatory eicosanoids, and prevent the release of proinflammatory cytokines.

Choline in bipolar disorder Choline has been used effectively in ameliorating symptoms of mania. Inositol in bipolar disorder Inositol, a glucose isomer precursor of phosphatidyl inositol linked to the second messenger system, has been found to be more effective than placebo in the treatment of depression and other psychiatric illnesses, including panic disorder. N -acetylcysteine in bipolar disorder N -acetylcysteine, a precursor of glutathione, is an important antioxidant in the brain and reduces oxidative stress. Hormones in mood disorders Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA is an androgen produced by the adrenal glands, levels of which tend to decrease during mid-life in men and women.

Ayurvedic medicine in mood disorders Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient healing system used in India, which is now practiced worldwide. Homeopathy in mood disorders Homeopathy is a traditional medical system that uses a holistic approach. Mind-body-spirit approaches in mood disorders There are a large number of mind-body-spirit practices that have been used effectively in major depression. Yoga Pilkington et al reported a positive impact of yoga on depression, although methodological weaknesses make the study results hard to interpret.

Meditation Meditation is a highly introspective practice that is used worldwide by people with and without health problems. Exercise Regular exercise is important for maintaining good physical and mental health. Acupuncture Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method used widely for treating a variety of physical and mental health problems.

Integrative approach Integrative medicine uses a holistic approach, and is recommended in the management of depression. Discussion CAM is not a primary treatment for mood or other psychiatric disorders. There are a variety of clinical scenarios in which a clinician might recommend CAM for a mood disorder, including: Limitations This narrative review of the literature has some limitations. Recommendations CAM therapies are expanding in number and being tested with increasing scientific rigor, similar to the clinical trials that evaluate modern drugs for depression and other mood disorders.

Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge the help of staff at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Riyadh, in searching for relevant literature on mood disorders and CAM. Footnotes Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work. Are complementary therapies and integrative care cost-effective?

A systematic review of economic evaluations. World Mental Health Survey Consortium: Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Received Jul 28; Accepted Jan This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Abstract According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 out of the 10 leading causes of disability in the US and other developed countries are mental disorders.

Introduction Currently, approximately 1 in 4 adult Americans have been diagnosed with a mental disorder, which translates into about 58 million affected people [ 1 ]. Table 1 Summary of proposed causes and treatments for common mental health disorders. John's wort deficiency St John's wort [69] [70] Randomized, double-blind trial Double-blind, placebo controlled.

Open in a separate window. Major Depression Major depression is a disorder that presents with symptoms such as decreased mood, increased sadness and anxiety, a loss of appetite, and a loss of interest in pleasurable activities, to name a few [ 22 ]. Bipolar Disorder A patient suffering from major depression may also present symptoms such as recurring episodes of debilitating depression, uncontrollable mania, hypomania, or a mixed state a manic and depressive episode which is clinically diagnosed as bipolar disorder [ 41 ].

Table 2 List of possible causes and treatments for bipolar disorder including specific doses as well as supplementary information. Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that disrupts a person's normal perception of reality. The VegEPA capsule contains: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder OCD is an anxiety disorder that causes recurring stressful thoughts or obsessions that are followed by compulsions, which are repeated in an uncontrollable manner as a means of repressing the stressful thought [ 66 ]. Conclusion Here we have shown just a few of the many documented nutritional therapies that can be utilized when treating mental disorders.

The Global Burden Of Disease. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fourth edition, text revision Washington DC. Management of lithium toxicity. Evolving trends in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. World J Biol Psychiatry. The fuzzy boundary between nutrition and psycopharmacology. Nutrient imbalances in depressive disorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci.

Folate and depression—a neglected problem. Fish consumption and major depression. The major psychoses and neuroses as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: B complex vitamin patterns in geriatric and young adult inpatients with major depression. J Am Geriatr Soc. Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment. The therapeutic predictability of tryptophan and tyrosine in the treatment of depression.

Int J Clin Nutr Rev. A controlled clinical trial of L-tryptophan in acute mania. Cultural symbolism of fish and the psychotropic properties of omega-3 fatty acids. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. Fish consumption, depression, and suicidality in a general population. A review of omega-3 ethyl esters for cardiovascular prevention and treatment of increased blood triglyceride levels.

Vasc Health Risk Manag. Safety considerations of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: The varied clinical presentations of major depressive disorder. The Journal of clinical psychiatry.


  • Animali fantastici - compendio (Italian Edition).
  • Noah and Sons (Genesis - The Bible Study Book 2)!
  • 1. Introduction.
  • Recommended For You!

Neurobiology of serotonin in depression and suicide. Depression, suicide and the metabolism of serotonin in the brain. The role of dopamine in mood disorders. Serotonin by stress interaction: The role of noradrenaline in depression: GABA and mood disorders: The effects of tyrosine depletion in normal healthy volunteers: Effect of s-adenosyl-l-methionine SAMe upon depressive symptoms. Social behaviour and mood in everyday life: Journal of Orthomolecular Psychiatry.

Dietary supplements of phenylalanine and other amino acid precursors of brain neuroamines in the treatment of depressive disorders. J Am Osteopath Assoc. The therapeutic potential for tryptophan and melatonin: Mood is indirectly related to serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine levels in humans: S-adenosylmethionine as an antidepressant: A double blind trial versus placebo.

A literature review and preliminary report. Ala J Med Sci. Arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid ratio in blood correlates positively with clinical symptoms of depression. Hypervitaminosis A following long-term use of high-dose fish oil supplements. Creativity and mental illness. Manic depression—a disorder of central dopaminergic rhythm. Vanadium and manic depressive psychosis. Folate, vitamin B12, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Reduced red-cell folate in mania. Omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid in bipolar depression: The clinical applications of lithium orotate. A two years study.

Lithium orotate in the treatment of alcoholism and related conditions. Effects of chronic lithium and sodium valproate on concentrations of brain amino acids. The incidence of operationally defined schizophrenia in Camberwell — British Journal of Psychiatry. Amino acids in schizophrenia: Journal of Neural Transmission.

Amelioration of negative symptoms in schizophrenia by glycine. Preliminary investigation of high-dose oral glycine on serum levels and negative symptoms in schizophrenia: Adjunctive high-dose glycine in the treatment of schizophrenia. International variations in the outcome of schizophrenia and the prevalence of depression in relation to national dietary practices: Fat consumption and schizophrenia.

Eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of schizophrenia and depression: Randomized, placebo-controlled study of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid as supplemental treatment in schizophrenia. Eicosapentaenoic acid treatment in schizophrenia associated with symptom remission, normalisation of blood fatty acids, reduced neuronal membrane phospholipid turnover and structural brain changes.

Int J Clin Pract. Laterality changes accompanying symptom remission in schizophrenia following treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid.