Afraid of Losing Your Mind? Take Fish Oil

(MYFOX NATIONAL) – A study reported in this month's Archives of General Psychiatry showed that adolescent and young adults who take fish oil capsules show a decreased potential of developing psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia.

According to Reuters Health , Dr. G. Paul Amminger of The University of Melbourne in Australia and his team of researchers reported that there is significant evidence showing the correlation of the beginnings of schizophrenia and an abnormal fatty acid metabolism.

Antipsychotic medications that are prescribed to patients are helpful with the mental-disorder symptoms, but have many side effects. They are usually taken for long periods of time, as well.

“For young people they don't want to commit themselves to a treatment which they might need to take for the next five to 10 years,” said Amminger.

The study was made up of individuals in one of three categories: having low-level psychotic symptoms; having transient psychotic symptoms; or having a schizophrenia-like personality disorder or a close relative with schizophrenia, along with a sharp decline in mental function within the past year.

After a year, five percent of the study participants who took the fish oil developed a mental disorder compared to 28 percent of participants who took a placebo.

The Archives of General Psychiatry reported that 76 of the 81 participants completed the study.

Psychotic symptoms were also reduced in the individuals who took the fish oil, with no side effects reported.

Amminger explained to Reuters Health that omega-3s play an important part in protecting brain cells and helping the brain function. They also boost the antioxidant glutathione, which helps protect the brain from oxidative stress.

He also said that although psychiatrists can identify these at-risk or symptomatic individuals, like those who participated in the study, they are clueless as to how to treat them due to their young age.

With further research, fish oil could be the safe answer.