Researchers in Austria have found a daily dose of fish oil may greatly reduce the risk of schizophrenia in young people, with studies suggesting people who take fish oil on a regular basis may decrease the likelihood of developing psychosis by as much as seven times.

In the study, 81 participants were either given a daily dose of 1.5 grams of fish oil or a placebo for three months. Twelve months later, 5 per cent of the group who had the fish oil went on to develop psychosis, while in the placebo group 28% went on to develop psychosis.

The researchers believe the bioactive lipids in the fish oil are the active ingredient, and think a deficiency of the lipids may prevent the brain from fully developing.

An Australian research team is now leading nine research centres around the world to further investigate the relationship between fish oils and schizophrenia.

Writer Tristan Boyd, Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.

Researchers in Melbourne have found a daily dose of fish oil may reduce the risk of schizophrenia in young people, with studies suggesting people who take fish oil on a regular basis may reduce the chance of developing psychosis by as much as seven times.

81 participants were either given 1.5 grams of fish oil or a placebo daily for three months. Twelve months later, 5 per cent of the group who had the fish oil went on to develop psychosis, while in the placebo group 28% went on to develop psychosis.

The researchers believe the bioactive lipids in the fish oil are the active ingredient, and think a deficiency of the lipids may prevent the brain from fully developing.

An Australian research team is now leading nine research centres around the world to further investigate the relationship between fish oils and schizophrenia.