schizophrenia is a mental disorder due to neurological disorders in the brain. The  illness is difficult to cure. Researchers found this illness can be prevented by consuming fish oil each day.

Eating fish oil for 3 months every day can have an impact that is as effective as drugs, such as reducing risk by 25 percent schizofrenia. Researchers believe omega-3 content in fish oil can make a healthy heart and beneficial effects for the brain.

“The finding that the natural ingredients can prevent or at least postpone the beginning of psychotic disorders (psychosis) may give hope that the likely alternative treatment for antipsychotic drugs,” said researcher Dr Paul Amminger as quoted by the BBC, Tuesday (2/2/2010) .

Powerful antipsychotic drugs often have serious side effects, so many people who do not use the drug. But the scientists tells if using fish oil supplements are generally well tolerated by the body.

International research team consisting of researchers Austria, Australia and Switzerland involving 81 people who are considered high risk mental health problems. Subjects that are considered high risk are people who have a family history schizofrenia, other psychiatric disorders or show mild symptoms of these psychiatric conditions.

In this study participants divided into two groups. One group of fish oil supplements containing 1.2 grams of omega-3 for 12 weeks, while another group taking a placebo.

Dr. Amminger and the team observed participants for 1 year to see is there a subject who developed psychiatric disorders. Obtained from the group who consumed fish oil supplements were found only 2 people who develop mental disorders, whereas the placebo medication groups of 11 people.

The scientists believe that omega-3 contained in fish oil can alter the signals in the brain that have a beneficial effect.

“If fish oil could prevent mental disorders, then this would be better than to give an antipsychotic drug that can give effect on weight or sexual dysfunction. The omega-3 could actually benefit the body with no other health effects,” said Alison Cobb from the mental health charity Mind.