We have plenty of reasons to go crazy. . .
Dear Mr. President, I voted for you. I hadn’t voted in ages, but I fell in love with your charisma, your speeches, your intelligence, and your bright youthful appeal. But you heaped money on the very bankers who got the country into this economic mess. Unemployment is up and health care reform has fizzled. Pick better people to advise you. . . Meanwhile, a recent study found that fish oil helps prevent mental illness. Could we give fish oil capsules to some bankers, White House advisers, and congress people? They may not only live longer, have fewer heart attacks, but also make better decisions.
For the study, individuals who were at high risk were chosen. That includes people with a strong family history of schizophrenia, or similar disorders, or others already showing mild symptoms of these conditions. Half of the individuals took fish oil supplements (1.2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids) for 12 weeks, while the other half took only a placebo. Neither group knew which treatment they were receiving. Dr Paul Amminger and his team followed the groups for a year to see how many, if any, developed mental illness.
Two in the fish oil group developed a psychotic disorder compared to 11 in the placebo group. Based on the results, the investigators estimate that one high-risk adult could be protected from developing psychosis for every four treated over a year. (That means 1 in 4 people can benefit and possibly prevent a crack-up by using fish oil.) “Researchers believe the omega-3 fatty acids found in the supplements may alter brain signalling in the brain with beneficial effects.”
In previous articles, I have praised the work of Dr. Jerry Cott and other researchers who pioneered research on Omega -3 oils and depression. Fish oil tends to reduce the effects of bi-polar disorder, the highs and lows of mood and energy that may eventually lead to symptoms of mental illness. It makes sense that nourishing the brain and nervous system, cushioning them from stress with a rich oil, could help prevent “brain fever.” Nutrition plays such an important role in general physical health, why not take it seriously when considering mental illness?
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