Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids, Mood Disorders, and Methylation Issues - Journal of Research and Experiential Medicine

Undermethylation makes it harder for the body to read different genes once epigenetic "bookmarks" are in place, some of which are inherited. People can inherit poor genetic strategies which were forced by their parents' environment, such as a diet low in Omega 3 fatty acids, which make better functioning neurotransmitters than those built using Omega 6, or who inherit bookmarks chosing genes which worked better for the parents than for the mix of genes inherited by their child.

For normally methylated people, change is often slow but possible from these bookmarks or "gene choice habits," but for people with undermethylation, it can be nearly impossible, thus refuting the "If I can do it, anyone can do it" claim for many diet and exercise plans.

If extreme effort and frustration follow a patient and their doctor around, including intractable mental illness even after changing an exclusively Omega 6 fatty acid diet to Omega 3, especially if antioxidants and adaptogens are helpful, methylation should be tested.

Some atypical antipsychotics treat methylation issues. If side effects such as diabetes result from taking them, other condititions such as copper overload should be tested for, as well.