Lack of cheap nutrients you can take in daily pills related to psychosis

A new study has identified a link between low omega-3 levels and symptoms of psychosis in early adulthood. The research, led by Queen’s University Belfast, followed the blood test results of more than 3,500 participants over 17 years.

The longitudinal study, published in Biological Psychiatry, examined how blood levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as a particular omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), changed over time. Working in collaboration with researchers from the University of Cambridge and the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland) University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the aim was to identify if and how these variations were linked to the development of psychotic symptoms in adults. aged 24 years.

The researchers followed the participants, who are part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), also known as the ’90s Kids, from childhood to adulthood. Fatty acid levels were measured in blood samples collected from participants throughout their lives, at specific ages of seven, 15, 17 and 24 years.

The findings showed that those with persistently higher levels of omega-6 compared to omega-3 fatty acids in their blood, as well as consistently low levels of DHA, had more psychotic experiences at age 24 compared to people of whose levels have remained average over this time period. . Omega-3 can be taken in cheap pills that you buy over the counter.

Psychotic experiences include thoughts of paranoia or hearing sounds that others cannot. In addition, these participants also showed greater negative symptoms of psychosis. These include loss of interest in activities, flattening of emotions, and social withdrawal.

Foods rich in omega-3s include certain fish and seafood, some vegetable oils, nuts, and high-fat plant foods such as chia seeds, flax seeds, Brussels sprouts, and more. Omega-6 fatty acids can be found in sunflower, safflower, soybean, sesame and corn oils.

David Mongan, clinical academic lecturer at Queen’s University, said: “This inaugural study is important as the results suggest that optimizing fatty acid status at critical stages of development, either through diet or supplementation, warrants further investigation in relation to symptom reduction psychotic at the beginning of the year. adulthood.”

Dr Ben Perry, from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, added: “We found an interesting link between higher ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids during childhood and adolescence and an increase in experiences of psychosis in adulthood. .

“We don’t yet know why this should be the case, but we also don’t think people should be alarmed by these findings.

“Omega-6 fatty acids as part of a balanced diet are important nutrients and we would not recommend that people remove them from their diets. We hope that future research will explore this possible link between diet and mental health in more detail.”

Professor David Cotter, professor of molecular psychiatry at RCSI, said: “Building on our previous research, these findings strengthen our understanding of the important relationship between fatty acids and subsequent mental health, particularly in relation to the imbalance between omega-6 and omega- 3. may increase the risk of subsequent psychotic experiences.”