Omega-3 for Schizophrenia: uses, benefits, and more

Why Omega-3 helps Treat Schizophrenia?

People who have schizophrenia are often deficient in omega-3, so their bodies cannot absorb different neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, or glutamate effectively. Having enough omega-3 helps modulate the absorption of these neurotransmitters, which help stabilize mood and improve cognition.

Studies have shown that people who follow diets rich in omega-3 have a decreased chance of developing schizophrenia. In contrast, those who are omega-3 deficient have a higher chance of developing the disease because it affects the cellular uptake of transmitters. Omega-3 also improves neuron receptor function to allow for better cellular communication and stabilize mood.

In addition to helping the brain absorb neurotransmitters more effectively, omega-3 can help treat schizophrenia because it can regulate the synthesis of several neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. This helps calm the nerves and prevent delusions and hallucinations. 

Omega-3 also increases the levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain. This helps improve cognition and memory in schizophrenia patients.

Furthermore, omega-3 can help treat schizophrenia because it reduces inflammation in the brain that can lead to the progression and worsening of the disease.

Clinical studies show that inflammatory markers are high in schizophrenic patients.  However, omega-3 helped slow down the progression of this disease and ease its symptoms because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

The seven-year follow-up study, “Longer-term outcome in the prevention of psychotic disorders by the Vienna omega-3 study,” found that only 10% of the high-risk individuals developed schizophrenia after taking omega-3 supplements. In contrast, 40% of those who were in the placebo group developed the disease.

How Omega-3 works for Schizophrenia

Omega-3 is a healthy polyunsaturated fat that consists of three main types of fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

These omega fatty acids help treat schizophrenia by:

1- Reduces inflammation in the brain: Omega-3 has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can decrease the number of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive (CRP) proteins and interleukin-6 (IL-6) found in the blood.

Research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids compete for the same pathway as the inflammatory markers do. When they take over this pathway, the number of inflammatory markers decreases. This lowers inflammatory activity and reduces inflammation. Lowering inflammation can help improve brain function, slow the progression of schizophrenia, and alleviate its symptoms.

In 2019, researchers discovered that inflammation reduces the production of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is produced from the amino acid tryptophan. During inflammation, tryptophan is turned into kynurenic acid.

If levels of kynurenic acid in the body increase, they might affect brain function because kynurenic acid blocks the brain's N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), which leads to psychosis.

2- Regulates levels of neurotransmitters in the brain: research shows that people with schizophrenia have low omega-3 levels in their bodies. This affects the cellular uptake of neurotransmitters because, without omega-3, the cell membrane becomes weak and cannot absorb them. Omega-3 strengthens the cell membrane, allowing it to take up neurotransmitters like dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin more effectively, which improves mood and behavior.

Omega-3 dose for Schizophrenia: How much to Take

The American Addiction Centers recommend that people with schizophrenia take a higher dose of omega-3. They advise patients to consume between 1-4 grams of fish oil that contains both EPA and DHA per day.

It is always important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement, including omega-3. A health expert can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific health needs and any other medications you may be taking.

Omega-3 for Schizophrenia: Precautions

If you want to take omega-3 supplements to treat schizophrenia, you must consider the following precautions:

1- People with certain medical conditions

People with the following medical conditions should take precautions and consult a doctor before they begin taking omega supplements.

- Diabetes: consuming excessive omega-3 fats may lower blood sugar levels. People who have diabetes should consult a doctor to determine the appropriate dose for their condition.

- A seizure disorder: consuming excessive omega-6 fats such as GLA may cause seizures in people who have a seizure disorder.

- Allergies: people who have allergies should take precautions before taking omega fatty acid supplements.

Many omega supplements come from fish sources, and people who are allergic to fish cannot take these supplements. Some supplements may also contain peanut and soy, which are also common allergens. 

2- Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

Consuming excessive omega-6 fats may cause pregnant women to have pregnancy complications such as early labor and contribute to the poor development of the fetus.

Pregnant women should also avoid omega-3 because it affects their blood clotting abilities and increases the risk of bleeding. Also, some omega-3 supplements like cod liver oil contain vitamin A, which might be harmful to the fetus.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid omega-3 fish oil supplements that come from fish that contain high amounts of mercury, such as mackerel, swordfish, or tilefish, because mercury may harm the baby.

3- Interaction with other Medications

Omega fats may interact with different medications and exacerbate certain conditions. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider before taking omega fatty acids supplements if you take the following medication:

- Anticoagulant medication: Omega fats can interfere with blood-thinning medication. Consuming excessive amounts of omega fats can cause blood thinning or excessive bleeding.

- Blood pressure medication: consuming excessive amounts of omega fats may lower blood pressure and interfere with blood pressure medication.

4- Vitamin A Toxicity

If you are taking omega-3 supplements, always check the amount of vitamin A. Some omega-3 supplements may contain very high amounts of vitamin A, which may cause vitamin A toxicity.

People should also avoid cod liver oil because it contains a high amount of vitamin A. They can substitute it with other omega-3 supplements that aren’t high in vitamin A like fish or krill oil.

Omega-3 for Schizophrenia: Side Effects

If you take omega-3, you may experience unwanted side effects such as an unpleasant taste in the mouth, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, low blood pressure, high blood sugar, diarrhea, headaches, and smelly sweat.

Consult your doctor if any of the following side effects appear.