Can Omega-3 Fats Help Teens At Risk For Severe Mental Disorders?

Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids are critical for brain development and function.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve depression symptoms in the elderly, improve brain development in infants, and could even show benefits for children suffering bipolar disorder.

Now, however, a new research trial is looking at the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and teenagers who are at risk for severe mental illness.

The research is very new, and more studies are needed in order to replicate the results, but this research shows tremendous potential.

The Trial

The trial is being conducted on teenagers enrolled in the Recognition and Prevention Program, commonly known as the RAP Program.

The National Institute of Mental Health is funding a randomized double blind study in order to determine the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids and mental disorders found in teenagers.

Their aim is to determine if omega-3 fatty acids could alleviate clinical symptoms associated with high-risk individuals that suffer psychiatric disorders, between the ages of 12 and 25 years old.

The director of the RAP Program commented that over 300 adolescents who have participated in the program have shown substantial improvements in overall function.

She also noted that if the results continue to be positive, omega-3 fatty acids could be a safe, alternative way to replace medications that are currently used in the RAP Program.

The next study will compare teens using either a placebo or an omega-3 supplement, and monitored very closely for six months to measure the effects of omega-3’s on severe psychiatric disorders and completion of daily tasks.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids, and your body needs to consume them from outside sources.

Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids are effective at improving heart health, depression scores, improving strength, and now improving symptoms associated with severe mental illness.

The use of omega-3 fatty acids is now being studied extensively as a way to better treat mental health symptoms and, as research suggests, omega-3’s could have the potential to be a safe and effective alternative to medications used for treatment of certain health issues.


NEXT: Even More Amazing News About Omega-3 Fatty Acids >>