Schizophrenia & Omega 3

Introduction | News Archive

Omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of psychiatric disorders

By Peet M, Stokes C. Drugs. 2005;65(8):1051-9.

The importance of omega-3 fatty acids for physical health is now well recognised and there is increasing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may also be important to mental health.

The two main omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have important biological functions in the CNS.

DHA is a major structural component of neuronal membranes, and changing the fatty acid composition of neuronal membranes leads to functional changes in the activity of receptors and other proteins embedded in the membrane phospholipid.
EPA has important physiological functions that can affect neuronal activity.

Epidemiological studies indicate an association between depression and low dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids, and biochemical studies have shown reduced levels of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cell membranes in both depressive and schizophrenic patients.

Five of six double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in schizophrenia, and four of six such trials in depression, have reported therapeutic benefit from omega-3 fatty acids in either the primary or secondary statistical analysis, particularly when EPA is added on to existing psychotropic medication.

Individual clinical trials have suggested benefits of EPA treatment in borderline personality disorder and of combined omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The evidence to date supports the adjunctive use of omega-3 fatty acids in the management of treatment unresponsive depression and schizophrenia.

As these conditions are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus, omega-3 fatty acids should also benefit the physical state of these patients. However, as the clinical research evidence is preliminary, large, and definitive randomised controlled trials similar to those required for the licensing of any new pharmacological treatment are needed.

Source:

By Peet M, Stokes C. Drugs. 2005;65(8):1051-9.
Swallownest Court Hospital, Doncaster and South Humber Healthcare NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK.
PMID: 15907142 [PubMed - in process]

Useful Reading

Although this work has been pricipally written for depression, the book includes useful information regarding EPA (mentioned above) and also covers schizophrenia. Making it worthwhile reading.

The Natural Way to Beat Depression:
The Groundbreaking Discovery of EPA to Change Your Life

Based on the latest cutting-edge research, this book uncovers the pioneering discovery of EPA as an effective treatment of -even the most severe- depression.

Depression has now reached epidemic proportions in most Western societies, and with orthodox treatment only offering medication with serious side-effects, recovery is often a long and painful process. But now a new solution is emerging that is safe, effective and entirely natural. By ensuring an adequate supply of EPA - a nutrient contained in oily fish - Dr Basant Puri has achieved incredible success even in patients who have failed to respond to any conventional treatment. Now, for the first time, he reveals why omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are so extraordinarily effective - and how we can incorporate EPA into a healthy lifestyle to gain from its remarkable benefits ourselves. In his breakthrough book he shows us:

Why EPA works as a treatment for depression
What - if anY - are the side effects
How much to take for the treatment of depression

This book comes highly recommended by us here at 1st Vitality and is available to order through Amazon

About the Author

Dr Basant Puri is Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer at the MRI Unit for the Imperial College School of Medicine, and is Honorary Consultant in Imaging for Hammersmith Hospital's Department of Radiology. He is a leading expert in the use of EPA for depression and has been involved in medical research for about twelve years. His papers have been widely published in international journals and he has written several books.