A recent study finds that intake of Omega-3 may help prevent Schizophrenia.
The study, which according to WebMD, is a follow-up to an earlier study, finds that Omega-3 supplements may help young people, who are at a high risk for Schizophrenia, from getting the illness.
People with Schizophrenia often have a high level of inflammatory chemicals in their bodies, in contrast to a low level of Omega-3 fatty acids in their blood. Live Science reports that the researchers wanted to test whether giving supplements like fish oil to help increase the levels of Omega-3 could help prevent brain inflammation, and, ultimately, help prevent the development of the disease.
Eighty-one teens, aged from 13 to 25, participated in the study, and they all had early symptoms of Schizophrenia. Some of them were hearing voices or had hallucinations. Others had delusions that someone was trying to harm them. They were all considered to be at "high-risk" for the illness.
Half of the participants were given Omega-3 supplements for 12 weeks, whereas the other half was only given a placebo pill.
Observing the participants for almost seven years, it was found that only 10 percent of the Omega-3 supplement-taking group had developed the disease. In comparison, 40 percent of those in the placebo group contracted it. Additionally, the group, who was not given Omega-3, had a higher risk of developing other psychiatric disorders.
Though it was not all clear as to why Omega-3 benefited the participants, one possible explanation was that the fish oil compounds interfered with the cascade of inflammatory chemicals in the brain, at just the right time — at the onset of the disease.
"One explanation is it puts you on a different developmental trajectory," study co-author Paul Amminger, a psychiatrist at the University of Melbourne, told Live Science. He added, "So when you are able to interrupt this cascade, which leads to a full threshold psychotic disorder, it seems you don't experience the same amount of risk."
The study was published in Nature Communications.
Schizophrenia, according to WebMD, is a serious, lifelong brain disorder that distorts the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotions, perceives reality and relates to others. A person suffering from this psychosis cannot separate reality and imagination.
The disease has no cure and can only be controlled. Individulas with schizophrenia are usually withdrawn and have problems in society, at work, school and relationships.
Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in everyday food such as fatty fish, eggs and walnuts. Widely known as "good fats," Omega-3 fatty acids can also help improve cholesterol balance and lower the risks of heart and joint disease, among other health benefits.
