Healthy fatty acids Fish oil reduces psychosis risk

Fish oil capsules with polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent psychosis
The ingestion of fish oil capsules containing polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids may prevent the onset of psychosis in adolescents and young adults, according to research by an Australian-Austrian research team. As reported by the scientists of the MedUni Vienna and the University of Melbourne in the journal "Nature Communications", the intake of unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids reduces the psychosis risk on the one hand and the onset of psychosis can be significantly delayed by the administration of fish oil.

The polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid is attributed to numerous beneficial health effects. The Australian-Austrian research team has now studied the long-term effects of fish oil capsules with polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acids on the risk of psychosis and found that the probability of psychosis can be significantly reduced by taking the capsules. "The results now published strengthen the hope that with a natural substance, the outbreak of psychotic disorders in risk groups can be delayed in the longer term and possibly prevented," reports MedUni Vienna. Another study to verify the results is already in progress.

The polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have a preventive effect against psychosis. (Image: tunedin / fotolia.com)

Signs of psychosis early detectable
At least two to three percent of the population are affected by psychotic disorders, according to the researchers. For the first time, psychosis appears for the first time in adolescents or young adults, but then often progresses chronically. The disease has serious consequences for those affected and their families. However, according to the researchers, various signs permit early identification of endangered persons. Because a psychosis occurs very rarely suddenly and "out of nowhere" on. As a rule, already weeks or months earlier, symptoms could be detected to a lesser degree. However, so far preventive treatment approaches would be missing, which can avoid the onset of psychosis if identified early. According to the MedUni Vienna, this is where research on the treatment of fish oil capsules begins.

Fish oil for the prevention of psychotic diseases
The basis of the current study are the data from a study at the MedUni Vienna from the year 2010, in which a significantly reduced risk of psychosis by the administration of fish oil capsules with polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acids had been shown. By 22 percent, the disease risk could be reduced over the observation period of one year. Based on the data available for an observation period of just under seven years (an average of 6.7 years), the researchers have investigated the long-term effects of fish oil capsules in their current study.

In the 71 patients aged 13 to 25 years, taking the capsules, according to the researchers showed a long-term dual effect. "On the one hand, the risk of getting a psychosis can be significantly reduced, on the other hand, the onset of psychosis can be delayed with the administration of fish oil," the scientists report. For example, the placebo group had a psychotic risk of 40 percent, while in the group receiving high-dose omega-3 fatty acids, the risk of developing psychosis dropped to 9.8 percent. With the help of fish oil capsules, therefore, a very efficient prevention would be possible. (Fp)