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Background: An immense fear of gaining weight often leads patients with eating disorders to avoid dietary fat resulting in deficiencies of essential fatty acids. Research has demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acid deficiency impairs psychological health. This presentation discusses the role of essential fatty acids in patients with eating disorders.
I. Dietary Fats
a. Overview of cultural and food industry shifts to no fat, light, fat free, diet, and sugar free foods.
b. The importance of dietary fat in brain development and brain function
c. The importance of cholesterol in human physiology.
II. Cholesterol and Brain Function
a. Precursors to all steroid and sex hormones
b. Maintenance of serotonin and oxytocin receptors in the brain
III. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Brain Function
- Omega-3 fatty acid’s role in neurotransmission
- Current research on omega-3 fatty acids and mood disorders
- Current research on omega-3 fatty acids and psychotic disorders
- Weight loss and weight maintenance and fat metabolism
- Eating disorders and omega-3 fatty caids
IV. Relationship between dietary fats and suicide
- Low cholesterol and aggressive behaviors
- Deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids and suicide
V. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Emergence of Psychosis
I. Dietary Fats
a. Overview of cultural and food industry shifts to no fat, light, fat free, diet, and sugar free foods.
b. The importance of dietary fat in brain development and brain function
c. The importance of cholesterol in human physiology.
II. Cholesterol and Brain Function
a. Precursors to all steroid and sex hormones
b. Maintenance of serotonin and oxytocin receptors in the brain
III. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Brain Function
- Omega-3 fatty acid’s role in neurotransmission
- Current research on omega-3 fatty acids and mood disorders
- Current research on omega-3 fatty acids and psychotic disorders
- Weight loss and weight maintenance and fat metabolism
- Eating disorders and omega-3 fatty caids
IV. Relationship between dietary fats and suicide
- Low cholesterol and aggressive behaviors
- Deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids and suicide
V. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Emergence of Psychosis
Eating disorder patients have an immense fear of gaining weight and typically avoid most sources of dietary fat. The role of dietary fat and the omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) in maintaining mental and physical health is often misunderstood by the public as well as medical professionals. Although dietary fat has been much maligned over the years, scientists have clearly determined that essential dietary fats are necessary for brain development and mental health.
Over the past twenty-five years, numerous scientific publications have reported deficiencies in Omega-3 Fatty Acids to be linked to mood disorders and improved outcomes in psychiatric patients treated with Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Research has supported improvement in adult mood disorder, pediatric mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. The majority of patients seeking help for disordered eating suffer from comorbid psychiatric illness including mood disorders. Research has estimated that over 80% of patients with an eating disorder have a comorbid affective illness. A study published last year demonstrated deficiencies in Omega -3 Fatty Acids, correlated with depression in adolescents with eating disorders.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are involved in every aspect of neurotransmission. Deficiencies in these essential fats have been shown to be related to many of the physiological and psychological symptoms of patients with disordered eating.
Suicide and cardiac death are the most common causes of mortality in patients with eating disorders and both are associated with omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies. In addition to studies on omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with eating disorders, clinical studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been beneficial for weight restoration and increased appetite in patients with cancer and AIDS.
This presentation geared towards beginners will discuss deficiencies of essential omega-3 fats and their impact on the physical and mental health of patients with eating disorders. Clinicians will better understand the role of malnutrition in eating disorders and effective strategies to support sustained recovery and relapse prevention.
James Greenblatt, M.D., a dually certified adult and child psychiatrist, is the Founder and Medical Director of Comprehensive Psychiatric Resources. Dr. Greenblatt is the Medical Director at Walden Behavioral Care. Dr. Greenblatt also serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Tufts Medical School. His newly published books, Answers to Anorexia and The Breakthrough Depression Solution, draw on his many years of experience and expertise in integrative medicine. Dr. Greenblatt’s practice, Comprehensive Psychiatric Resources, focuses on integrative medicine for mental health with specialization in the treatment of eating disorders in adolescents and adults.
