Fish oil supplement could block psychotic disorders of young people: Study

A follow-up research proves young people at high risk were less likely to suffer psychotic disorders by daily intake of fish oil supplements. The researcher follows a previous study after seven years that reported the benefit from omega-3 in preventing psychotic illnesses.

In 2010, Paul Amminger at the University of Melbourne reported that a three-month course of daily fish oil capsules carries the potential to block psychotic illnesses in teenagers and young adults aged 13 to 24. Following that up, Amminger and his colleagues has revisited 71 of the original 81 participants and found that the protective effects seem to continue.

According to the new study, the omega-3, a fatty acid found in oily fish, prevented the onset of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders after being consumed. The researchers discovered the omega-3 supplements provided a long-term effect seven years after taken by the participants.

Published in the journal Nature Communications, only four out of 41 participants who took fish oil for three months in the previous test had developed psychosis in seven years, and had an overall greater likelihood of having other psychiatric disorders, researcher said. They also found Schizophrenia is one of the most common serious mental health conditions to possibly occur in young people.

The debilitating condition is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35, in which patients sometimes cannot distinguish between their thoughts and reality. But researchers believe the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs, used in the study could provide a long-term effect to prevent psychotic disorders in young people who are most at risk, with minimal side effects.

"Schizophrenia is a major cause of disability, but early treatment has been linked to better outcomes. Our study gives hope that there may be alternatives to antipsychotic medication," Amminger told the Guardian.

However, Amminger also suggests the intake of omega-3 is also essential for people without the disorder as the fatty acids can aid healthy brain development and function. Lack of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet has been linked to various mental health conditions.

"Eating more fish is not only likely to be good for your physical health but also for your mental health," he stated.

The current study still needs to be replicated in larger groups of people, Amminger said, before doctors provide recommendations about the use of fish oils to prevent mental health problems. In addition, Clive Adams, co-ordinating editor of the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group at Nottingham University, said the study is important “but it does not provide strong enough proof to really change practice."

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