Further Proof Omega-3s can Delay or Prevent Psychosis

Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements can prevent the onset of psychosis in people at risk of developing the condition, for approximately seven years, the findings of a study presented the International Early Psychosis Conference in Tokyo, Japan this week (17-19 Nov) suggest.

“A brief intervention with omega-3 supplements prevented psychosis for almost 7 years after baseline in the individuals at ultra-high risk of psychosis who participated in this trial,” say co-authors Dr Paul Amminger, and Patrick McGorry of the Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Monika Schlögelhofer, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Patients in the study received four capsules a day with two types of omega-3 fatty acids -- 700 milligrams of EPA and 480 milligrams of DHA – as well as 7.6 milligrams of vitamin E.

The study authors believe that this approach, which is both safe and economical, may help keep those with this severe form of mental illness more functional, while experiencing fewer episodes or “breaks”. They note that the findings need to be backed up by additional, larger studies.
However, the findings of the present study add weight to previous data that show fish oil/omega 3 fatty acids to be protective for those at risk of severe mental illness and psychosis.

Read more on the research.

Source: www.blackmoresinstitute.org/login/news-and-insights/omega-3s-prevent-psychosis, 25 November 2014