Natural Remedies: Mother Nature's Little Helpers

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Of the nutritional approaches to mental disorders that I have studied, the most promising is dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, the special fats found in oily fish such as salmon and sardines; in walnuts, soy, flax and hemp seeds; and in fortified eggs. One of the omega-3s, docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is the main constituent of cell membranes in the brain. Dietary deficiencies of DHA--probably the rule rather than the exception for most Americans--may be a factor in childhood autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder and depression. Treatment of these conditions with supplements of omega-3 fatty acids is a promising area of mental-health research.

I am particularly enthusiastic about the value of omega-3s in the management of bipolar disorder; they may allow patients to reduce the dosage and side effects of conventional medications. Another possibility is that children who did not get enough of these fatty acids in utero or in infancy are more susceptible to mental and emotional problems. Encouraging pregnant women to increase intake of omega-3s in late pregnancy and during nursing might be a simple way to improve mental health in our society.

And what about St.-John's-wort and other herbal remedies? In my view, St.-John's-wort still needs to be properly tested in large populations for the relief of mild to moderate depression. Despite one brief study to the contrary, ginkgo biloba continues to look promising as a means of slowing age-related dementia and improving blood flow to the brain. And we have yet to test the many tonic herbs from China, Tibet and India that are said to enhance physical and mental health, extend longevity and resistance to stress, and promote general well-being. We have a lot of work to do.

Dr. Weil directs the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona