Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Can Fish Oil Prevent Psychosis?

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil may help prevent mental illness from progressing. Researchers in Vienna, Austria identified ultra high-risk patients between the ages of 13 and 25. These individuals had symptoms of psychosis that predisposed them to develop schizophrenia.

The investigators assigned subjects to receive either 1.2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily or look-alike pills containing coconut oil for 12 weeks. At the end of a year, only 5 percent of the patients who received the fish oil were diagnosed with full blown schizophrenia. Nearly 30 percent of those on placebo had progressed to psychosis.

The researchers urge caution in interpreting their results because the study was relatively small. Nevertheless they conclude that their study strong suggests that a natural substance, fish oil, offers a viable prevention and treatment strategy with minimal associated risk in young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis.

[Archives of General Psychiatry, Feb., 2010]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.