photo credit: h.koppdelaney

A new amazing study on psychotic disorders caused my jaw to drop.

According to findings published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, supplementing Omega-3 rich fish oil make reduce the likelihood of developing psychotic disorders in high-risk people.

Subjects received twelve weeks of supplementation with fish oil.  The fish oil was rich in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).  Researchers found that the risk of progression to full threshold psychosis was reduced by 22.6 percent compared to the placebo.

Omega-3’s amazing naturopathic benefits

As amazing as that finding may be, it’s nothing new for those familiar with the link between omega-3 and cognitive function and behavior.

In the past, we’ve seen memory function improvements in healthy, older adults.  This type of memory loss is part of the natural aging process, although it is sometimes know to precede Alzheimer’s.

However, this is the first time we’ve seen a benefit in a help-seeking group at ultra-high risk of psychosis.

The researchers, led by G. Paul Amminger from the Medical University of Vienna, stated, “The present trial strongly suggests that Omega-3 PUFAs may offer a viable prevention and treatment strategy associated risk in young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis, which should be further explored.”

The study was conducted on 76 people judged to be at “ultra-high risk” of progression to psychosis.  Ultra-high risk in this case as defined as “having mild psychotic symptoms, transient psychosis, or a family history of psychotic orders, in combination with a decrease in functioning.”

The group was assigned either a placebo or the supplements of fish oil.  After 12 weeks, only 4.9 per cent of the Omega-3 group had progressed to psychotic disorder, compared with 27.5 per cent of the placebo group.

Recommendations from the naturopathic doctor

The 5-fold decrease in risk is amazing, and proof yet again of the amazing effects of fish oil on cognition.  The naturopathic doctor recommends Orthomega – 2 gelcaps twice daily with food or EPA-DHA liquid, or 1 tsp twice daily with food.

As always, we recommend this approach in concert with your entire psychiatric treatment plan.  Please consult us so that we can evaluate the approach based on your personal case.