Omega-3 Supplements for Adolescent Psychosis, Eating Disorders, and Anxiety: Can They Help?
In the case of adolescent psychosis (with an improving eating disorder, presence of anxiety, and under treatment with Risperdal and fluoxetine), could an Omega-3 supplement be helpful? And if so, which one? Thank you.
Dear Fulvia,
your question about the usefulness of Omega-3 supplementation suggests that you may already have some information on the topic, which I’ll try to expand on.
A diet deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to an increased risk of developing brain disorders related to:
- memory (dementia);
- attention (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder);
- mood (depression);
- thinking (bipolar disorder and schizophrenia).
Many scientific studies highlight the positive effect of Omega-3s on mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. EPA and DHA regulate the production of neurotransmitters (such as dopamine and serotonin) and help support mood balance, calmness, and coordination.
Some studies show that EPA is as effective as fluoxetine in controlling depressive symptoms, and the combination of EPA and fluoxetine was found to be more effective than either alone. This suggests a synergistic effect that supports combined use. Regarding eating disorders, available data indicate that both women and men with anorexia nervosa have suboptimal levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).
For this reason, some experts recommend increasing dietary intake of omega-3-rich foods, like oily fish, or starting supplementation with Omega-3 supplements. I recommend Omegor Vitality 1410 mg, a highly concentrated and purified Omega-3 EPA and DHA supplement in triglyceride form—the most easily absorbed by the body. The effective dose of Omega-3 for depressive disorders is about 1 g.
Each Omegor Vitality capsule contains 400 mg of EPA and 200 mg of DHA, so the recommended dosage is at least 2 capsules per day, taken in one or two doses before meals. However, I strongly advise discussing this with your physician, who knows your clinical history and can assess whether Omega-3 supplementation is appropriate alongside ongoing pharmacological therapies.
Kind regards,
Dr. Rosaria Ramondino Pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Chemist
