I have definitely heard about the benefits of omega 3s for not only depression relief, but many health benefits (triglycerides reduction). I'll admit that I tried high-dose OTC fish oil for about a year in the past, and it did little. Perhaps prescribed may have helped more? Or maybe not, just as some prescribed bipolar meds don't help much.

I agree with others that a well-balanced diet low in refined sugars and bad fats is best. I have also read many times that limiting caffeine and alcohol is important. In general, the food pyramid is a great guideline, with starchy stuff important, but whole grain or vegetable/legumes.

I have always felt my best when I ate a well-balanced healthy diet, combined with exercise. Limiting healthful foods (like whole grains) is not a diet I can sustain. A diet that deprives me unnecessarily makes me unhappy. Unfortunately, when I'm unwell, many healthy efforts fall to the wayside due to urges to self-medicate. Boo hiss!

I have read of people with bipolar disorder trying very low carb diets, like the ketogenic diet, for mood control. The ketogenic diet has apparently been helpful for people with some types of severe epilepsy. As many may know, there are interesting links between epilepsy and illnesses like bipolar disorder. However, I see a diet like the ketogenic diet as a last resort type effort that may not necessarily be efficacious for everyone. As I wrote above, one has to weigh the misery of deprivation in diet against other discomforts/issues (i.e. medication side effects, severity of illness, etc.) Unfortunately, sometimes we have to choose between evils/discomforts/challenges. Again, boo hiss!

Here are articles that provide contrasting views on very low carb eating:

* Very low carb may decrease serotonin leading to depression: Low-Carb State of Mind | Psychology Today

* Ketogenic diet may be helpful for bipolar disorder: Ketogenic diet as a metabolic therapy for mood disorders: Evidence and developments. - PubMed - NCBI