KEY POINTS:
Swallowing a daily dose of fish oil may stop young people vulnerable to schizophrenia from ever developing the condition, a landmark study has found.
An international psychiatry conference in Melbourne was told yesterday that omega-3 fatty acids, believed to be beneficial for conditions ranging from heart disease to ADHD, could also help delay or prevent the onset of severe mental illness.
The findings could offer a safe way to treat a crippling condition and potentially prevent schizophrenia, without the drastic side-effects of anti-psychotic medications, say experts from the Orygen Research Centre in Melbourne.
"This is an amazing result in a natural product that really puts it out as a serious treatment for people seen most likely to develop psychotic illness," said the lead researcher, Professor Paul Amminger.
The researchers enlisted 81 "high risk" young people aged 13 to 24 who had previously suffered brief hallucinations or delusions. If left untreated one-third of these individuals will go on to develop a sustained psychotic disorder.
Half were treated with capsules of fish oil, a rich source of omega-3 fats, for three months, while the rest took a fishy-tasting dummy substitute.
One year on, 3 per cent of those who had taken fish oil supplements had developed schizophrenia. This compared with 28 per cent of those who had swallowed the placebo.
Previous studies have suggested that anti-psychotic drugs when used early in illness reduce the rate to about 12 per cent.
However, their use is controversial as they have severe side-effects such as heavy weight gain and increased risk of heart disease.
THE GOOD OIL
* A range of benefits are claimed from the consumption of fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids.
* Fish oil stimulates blood circulation, increases the breakdown of fibrin, a compound involved in clot and scar formation, and lowers blood pressure.
* There is also scientific evidence regular intake reduces the risk of heart attack, and some evidence it might be helpful in cases of depression and anxiety.
- AAP
