A recent study suggests that low levels of arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid, may be linked to an increased risk of bipolar disorder. The study found that higher levels of arachidonic acid were associated with a lower incidence of bipolar disorder. This suggests that dietary interventions aimed at increasing arachidonic acid levels could potentially help reduce the risk of developing bipolar disorder. The findings of the study were published in Biological Psychiatry and were based on metabolomic data from 14,296 European individuals.
The study also identified genetic variants within the FADS1/2/3 gene cluster as being associated with bipolar disorder. This gene cluster is known to play a role in converting linoleic acid into arachidonic acid, highlighting the importance of arachidonic acid in the development of bipolar disorder. The researchers did not find any association between the lipids and other disorders such as schizophrenia or depression, indicating a specific link between arachidonic acid and bipolar disorder. The study also found a slight connection to the regulation of a person’s response to the drug lithium, which is used to treat bipolar disorder.
The researchers suggested that dietary interventions aimed at increasing arachidonic acid levels could potentially reduce the risk of bipolar disorder, particularly among individuals with a family history of the condition. Arachidonic acid can be obtained through diet from foods such as seafood, eggs, meat, nuts, seeds, and oils. It is also synthesized by the human liver from linoleic acid, which is present in human milk, suggesting a role in healthy neurodevelopment. However, the optimal levels of arachidonic acid for reducing the risk of bipolar disorder are not yet known, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by alternating cycles of extreme emotional highs and lows that can significantly impact a person’s life. The condition affects about 4.4% of American adults at least once in their lives, with different types of bipolar disorder including Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic disorder. Currently, there are no clinically approved blood biomarkers for diagnosing bipolar disorder, but the study’s findings may provide potential biomarkers that could aid in diagnosis and treatment in the future. Further research is needed to explore the role of arachidonic acid in the development of bipolar disorder and to determine the optimal levels needed to reduce the risk of the condition.
