According to a recent study published in Biological Psychiatry, having a genetic tendency to higher levels of lipids with arachidonic acid, an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in eggs, poultry, and seafood, is associated with a reduced risk of bipolar disorder. This discovery could open the door to potential lifestyle or dietary interventions.This article is published by Elsevier. This new evidence opens the door for potential changes to lifestyle or diet.
Bipolar disorder is a serious mood disorder characterized by repeated episodes of mania and depression. Although the cause is still not completely understood, previous research has indicated that bipolar disease is highly passed down through generations. The results of this study suggest a connection between bipolar disorder and changes in metabolite levels, supporting the idea that circulating metabolites play a significant role in causing bipolar disease and other mental disorders.
David Stacey, PhD, lead researcher at the Australian Centre forThe Precision Health team from the University of South Australia, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide, Australia, has found evidence suggesting that metabolites may play a role in bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders. By pinpointing specific metabolites that could be causing bipolar disorder, the team hopes to identify potential lifestyle or dietary changes that could be beneficial.
Using Mendelian randomization, a strong method for inferring causation, the researchers discovered that 33 out of 913 metabolites studied in the blood were linked to bipolar disorder, with most of them being previously unidentified.them lipids.
Scientists also discovered that a group of genes associated with lipid metabolism, known as FADS1/2/3, which are linked to bipolar disorder risk, played a role in the connection between bipolar disorder and levels of arachidonic acid and other metabolites.
In response to the results, John Krystal, MD, Editor of Biological Psychiatry, commented, “Arachidonic acid is a commonly found omega-6 fatty acid in the body and brain that helps maintain the health of cell membranes. This research represents an important advancement in the quest to identify blood biomarkers for bipolar disorder risk, especially in individuals with bipolar disorder.”
Researchers have found a possible link between genetic predisposition to higher levels of specific lipids and a lower risk of bipolar disorder, as well as an association between different fatty acids and the risk of developing the condition. Dr. Stacey explains that lipids containing arachidonic acid were connected to a decreased risk of bipolar disorder, while lipids containing linoleic acid were associated with an increased risk. This suggests that the pathways responsible for synthesizing arachidonic acid may play a key role in the development of bipolar disorder. Arachidonic acid is considered essential for infant brain development and is found in human milk.
The use of infant formula is common in many countries, and it may have an impact on the risk of bipolar disorder by influencing neurodevelopmental pathways, which aligns with current perspectives of bipolar disorder as a neurodevelopmental condition. Arachidonic acid can be obtained directly from meat and seafood, or it can be produced from dietary linoleic acid found in nuts, seeds, and oils.
Dr. Stacey’s research suggests that this is the first study to indicate a potential causal relationship between arachidonic acid and bipolar disorder. Further studies and controlled trials will be needed to determine the preventative or therapeutic effects.The potential therapeutic benefits of arachidonic acid supplements, especially for individuals with impaired ability to synthesize arachidonic acid or with limited dietary sources, are supported by our research. These findings also suggest opportunities for targeted health interventions in early childhood nutrition to ensure adequate intake of arachidonic acid and other polyunsaturated fatty acids for optimal brain development, which could potentially lower the risk of bipolar disorder.”
