Atopic Dermatitis (eczema)/depression

[Guest guest]

Dr. Nicholas Perricone in his book " The Perricone Prescription " writes about a

patient named " Jack " with the following problem, which I also share. I do not

eat enough foods containing delta-6 desaturase, or Omega-6. Maybe others of you

may share this problem as well. If you have depression or atopic dermatitis

read on or are just interested in the subject. I do not know how much has been

written about people who do not convert omega fatty acids from the active form

well.

 

The case goes as follows which I have paraphrased:

 

Jack experienced bouts of depression and listlessness. He was eating turkey and

celery (low fat diet) and not getting enough fats in his diet and yet he could

not keep his body fat down. Depression escalated. In the skin exam (Dr.

Perricone is a dermatologist often seen on PBS) noted redness and scaling on

many parts of Jack's body. His diagnosis was atopic dermatitis, or " eczema. "

Dermatitis is a fairly common condition, caused by a dysfunction in the immune

system. Jack learned that he could improve depression and eczema with a change

of diet and supplements. Jack was told that a deficiency in essential fatty

acid could lead to depression as well as skin problems. Dr. explained that

patients with atopic dermatitis sometimes had a deficiency of delta-6 saturase

and could not CONVERT essential fatty acids in the active form, and I felt that

his abnormal diety restrictions of fats over the years may have been responsible

for many of his problems. Dr. also explained that wit

hout essential fatty acids, which are the building blocks of good

prostaglandins, a malfunction of fat metabolism is certain. (Causing one to get

fat as a result?)...

 

Jack was put on an anit-inflammatory diet. Dr. recommended Jack begin eating

fish, especially wild salmon, 4-5 times a week, if not daily. He also put him

on a regimine of borage oil rich in GLA (gamma linoleic acid), the active form

of omega-6. He also gave him topical emollients containing polyenolphosphatidyl

choline and a mild hydrocortisone cream for the more severe eczema.

 

I believe that I do not convert essential fatty acids well, hence I suffer from

depression and atopic dermatitis all over my body. This information is just to

share with those who may have the same condition.

 

Linda