Omega 3 Fish Oils For Schizophrenia

The chronic mental health condition schizophrenia impacts over 1 percent of the American adult population each year. Schizophrenia symptoms generally present in late adolescence and young adulthood, but instances of childhood onset are on the rise, notes the National Institute of Mental Health. This condition can become severely disabling during its later stages of development, but early intervention may reduce the risk of full psychosis. Omega-3 fish oils show promise as a means for preventing the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia Cause and Symptoms

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder of the brain resulting in an imbalance of the chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, which allow the cells of the brain to communicate different functions such as thoughts, movements and emotions. Individuals with schizophrenia tend to have too much of neurotransmitters like dopamine and glutamate. The excess chemicals result in symptoms categorized as positive, negative or cognitive.

Positive symptoms impact the level of reality experienced and are often referred to as psychosis. Hallucinations --- having the sound, smell or sight of something that no one else experiences --- and delusions, or false illogical beliefs, are the most prominent psychotic symptoms. Negative symptoms include disruptions of emotional and behavioral expression. Inability to show enjoyment in daily life or poor social skills. The cognitive symptoms refer to memory disturbance, difficulty concentrating and poor decision making.

Schizophrenia Treatment

Several factors contribute to the development of this disorder and the primary treatment is to balance the brain chemicals with medication. Anti-psychotic medications to reduce the hallucinations, delusions and thought disturbances are prescribed; however, these often cause side effects impacting movement and additional medications are needed to counteract those side effects. Psychotherapy interventions including counseling, group education and social or vocational training are also important in treating this disorder. Untreated schizophrenia progressively worsens and the risk of suicide attempts, substance abuse and possible violence increase.

Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats with the essential nutrients alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. These nutrients are not produced naturally in the human body but are important for maintaining normal brain functions including cognitive performance, behavioral functions and distinguishing reality from fantasy. Omega-3s also protect brain cell development and membranes from too much neurotransmitter activity, like high dopamine transmission. Omega-3s are found naturally in foods including fish, nuts, seeds and nut oils, or you can buy supplements in the form of fish oil capsules or flaxseed. Consult your physician before taking omega-3 supplements to ensure they are safe for your condition.

Omega-3 and Schizophrenia

Individuals with schizophrenia are believed to have low omega-3 activity in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system of the brain, which contributes to the increase of the chemical dopamine. Randomized controlled research trials of people with a high risk of progressive schizophrenia psychosis were given omega-3 fish oil capsules to determine therapeutic effect. According to MayoClinic.com and a 2010 publication on Psychcentral.com, use of omega-3s significantly reduced the risk of psychosis occurrence in participants with pre-psychosis schizophrenia. These findings may also translate to the possible prevention of early onset schizophrenia, but continued research is needed to determine conclusive results.

Dosing and Interactions

A healthy diet including two servings of fish a week or a small daily serving of nuts can help you maintain healthy levels of the essential nutrients from omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil supplements to prevent full schizophrenia psychosis, at 1.2 g per day, are considered safe. However, a dose exceeding 3 g per day is not suggested without physician supervision.

Fish oils can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea and interactions with medications for diabetes, high cholesterol and blood disorders.