Fish oil in treatment of psychosis is a hot new research topic.
Many scientists are very impressed by what they’re discovering.
And you're going to be excited too.
Medline Plus online encyclopedia defines psychosis as a “loss
of contact with reality. This typically includes delusions (false
ideas about what’s taking place or who one is) and hallucinations
(seeing or hearing things which aren’t there).”
Included in the general definition of psychosis are bipolar
disorder, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, hallucinations,
extreme excitement, unfounded fears, abnormal emotions, illusions,
delusions and confusion.
If some of these descriptions hit home for you, don’t run out
for a diagnosis just yet. Remember that psychosis is consistent
and often has some chronic expression.
Psychosis can be brought on by illegal or prescription drugs,
excess alcohol or anything else that causes the brain to function
incorrectly, such as a stroke or Alzheimer’s Disease.
Some people think nutrition has nothing to do with psychosis.
But that’s like saying you could live on junk food and still have
a long happy healthy life. And we all know that’s not possible.
So, what does the research say?
Recent and on-going scientific studies have found major health
benefits with fish oil in treatment of psychosis, including
bipolar and depression. Here are just a few of those findings.
Research reported in the Journal of
Affective Disorders found
that, “Major depressed subjects showed significantly lower total
omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids…than minor depressed subjects
and healthy controls.” (Vol. 26, No. 38, 35-46)
Translation: more dietary fish oil fatty acids equals less
depression.
Another study done on subjects with major depressive disorders
published in the American Journal of Psychiatry concluded that,
“Highly significant benefits of the addition of the omega-3 fatty
acid compared with placebo were found by week 3 of treatment.”
(Vol. 159:477-479)
Translation: fish oil provides huge health benefits in just 3
weeks.
A study at Harvard University published in the Archives of
General Psychiatry found, “Omega 3 fatty acids were well tolerated
and improved the short-term course of illness in this preliminary
study of patients with bipolar disorder.” (Vol. 56 No. 5)
Translation: Bipolar disorder patients taking fish oil
improved.
More research reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry,
concluded, “The results of this study suggest that EPA may be a
safe and effective form of monotherapy for women with moderately
severe borderline personality disorder.” (Vol. 160:167-169)
Translation: Fish oil helps women with severe personality
disorder.
Researchers in the psychiatry department at the
UK University
of Sheffield reported in the Journal of Affective Disorders that,
“The findings [of their study] raise the possibility that
depressive symptoms may be alleviated by omega 3 PUFA
[polyunsaturated fatty acid] supplementation.” (Vol.
48(2-3):149-55)
Translation: Good quality fish oil supplements work for
depression.
That's the overview – short, sweet and to the point. This
research should make your decision about fish oil treatment of
psychosis or even minor depression an easy one.
The fish oil health benefits speak for themselves – naturally.