Can omega-3 fat in fish oil prevent hallucinations, confused thoughts, delusions and other symptoms of psychosis?
A recent study suggests that omega-3 fish oil capsules may prevent psychosis in young people at high risk of developing this illness. The study involved 81 young people at high risk of psychosis. Symptoms of psychosis include hallucinations, delusions, confused thoughts and being out of touch with reality. For three months 41 participants were given fish oil capsules daily containing 1.2 grams of omega-3 fat. The remaining 40 were given a placebo (dummy pill). The participants didn’t know which one they were taking. A year later, of the 76 people who completed the study, those who took the fish oil capsules had fewer symptoms of psychosis and sharper minds than those who took the placebo. Two people in the fish oil group (nearly 5 per cent) were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder compared to 11 (about 28 percent) in the placebo group. How might omega-3 fat help prevent psychosis? Experts say the fat might affect the structure of cell membranes in the brain and improve connections betw
