Fish oils have been widely used for health supplements as it helps in the improvement of a person's overall well-being. However, a new study suggests that we can get something more from fish oil, Medical News Today (MNT) reported.
In a study published in Nature Communications, it was found that the Omega-3 fatty acids present in Fish oil can help reduce the risk of developing schizophrenia and other types of psychotic disorders.
As cited by MNT, fish oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which are all vital parts of the cell membranes in our body that builds the foundation for hormone production.
Led by Prof. Paul Amminger, from the University of Melbourne in Australia, the first of its kind study evaluated participants aged 13 to 25 who show risk factors that may develop to psychosis, including attenuated positive psychotic symptoms, transient psychosis and genetic risk plus a decrease in functioning.
A total of 81 treatment-seeking participants were screened and accepted to take part in the study. From this pool of participants, 41 were assigned to the Omega-3 PUFA group who will be taking a daily dose of fish oil while the remaining 40 were designated to the placebo-taking group, all for a period of 12 weeks.
After the intervention period, the participants were observed and monitored for one year. Out of the 81 participants, 76 finished the study and it was discovered that only two of the 41 individuals who took the omega-3-containing fish oil developed a psychotic disorder.
Meanwhile, the results for the group taking placebo showed that 11 from the 40 participants transitioned into developing a psychotic disorder.
In a follow up with the participants after seven years, only four from the individuals who took fish oil had gone to developing a psychotic disorder, while 16 from the placebo group led to acquiring the said disorder.
The said research also highlights the cumulative increasing transition to psychosis over the years while also emphasizing the devastating condition like Schizophrenia which is characterized by delusions, hallucinations and cognitive problems that typically manifests in adolescence or early adulthood.
"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," Professor Amminger told The Guardian.
The study concluded that the omega-3 PUFAs found in fish oil "may offer a viable longer-term prevention strategy with minimal associated risk in young people at ultrahigh risk of psychosis."