• Home
  • Store
    • Newsletter Subscriptions
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN SA Courses
  • CME Center
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Blog
  • Newsletters
    • General Psychiatry
    • Child Psychiatry
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Hospital Psychiatry
    • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Log In
  • Register
  • Welcome
  • Sign Out
  • Subscribe
Home » Omega-3s and Metabolic Risks in Schizophrenia
RESEARCH UPDATE

Omega-3s and Metabolic Risks in Schizophrenia

September 28, 2021
Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, LSW, and Chris Aiken, MD.
From The Carlat Psychiatry Report
Issue Links: Learning Objectives | Editorial Information | PDF of Issue
Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, LSW, and Chris Aiken, MD. The authors have disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

REVIEW OF: Pawełczyk T et al, Schizophr Res 2021;230:61–68

TYPE OF STUDY: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Patients with schizophrenia are at greater risk for metabolic syndrome, whether from lifestyle, antipsychotic side effects, or the illness itself. Omega-3 fatty acids have metabolic benefits in the general population, and levels of these “healthy fats” tend to be low in people with schizophrenia. Earlier research found that omega-3 supplementation improved negative symptoms in schizophrenia, and this study examined their metabolic effects in schizophrenia.

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 71 adults with stable schizophrenia on antipsychotic medication. They were treated with either omega-3 fatty acids or a fish-flavored placebo for six months. Both the placebo and the active intervention contained 0.2% alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) to prevent oxidation of fatty acids. The omega-3 intervention consisted of a 3:1 ratio of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids with a total daily dosage of 2,200 mg/day. Body composition and metabolic parameters associated with metabolic syndrome were assessed at baseline, then at eight and 26 weeks after study initiation. Both groups began the trial with similar metabolic parameters.

After eight weeks, the placebo group had a nonsignificant increase in metabolic syndrome (p = 0.083), and this increase was even greater at 26 weeks (p = 0.007). By contrast, the rate of metabolic syndrome decreased in the treatment group, although the effect was just marginally significant (p = 0.0408). Notably, the omega-3 group had significant reductions in fasting blood glucose (p = 0.045), total cholesterol (p = 0.037), and blood glucose levels (p = 0.034), but improvements in other metabolic parameters were not significant. Patients on olanzapine experienced the greatest metabolic benefits with omega-3s.

The investigators also found an association between triglyceride level and the psychopathology subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, suggesting that lower triglycerides are associated with improved symptoms of psychopathology (p = 0.0008).

Omega-3s were well tolerated in this study. They have a mild anticoagulant effect, but patients on anticoagulants may still be able to take omega-3s with approval from their prescribing physician. Omega-3 supplementation may deplete vitamin E, which notably was supplemented in this study.

The 3:1 EPA:DHA ratio used in this study can be difficult to find but is worth the search, as this is also the ratio that worked in studies of depression. We found three products with a similar ratio that were tested by independent labs: Viva Naturals (on Amazon), Member’s Mark (at Sam’s Club), and Kirkland Signature (at Costco) at a cost of 15–25 cents/day.

TCPR’s Take
This study is small and preliminary, but omega-3s have established benefits for metabolic health in various conditions and are worth considering in schizophrenia.

General Psychiatry
KEYWORDS comorbidity complementary-treatments complimentary-medicine diabetes metabolic-syndrome negative-symptoms psychosomatics research-update schizophrenia
Batya Swift Yasgur, MA, LSW,

More from this author
Aiken
Chris Aiken, MD.

Ask the Editor: Three Significant Food Interactions with ADHD Medications

More from this author
www.thecarlatreport.com
Issue Date: September 28, 2021
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Table Of Contents
The Schizophrenia-OCD Overlap
Light Therapy: Good for What Ails You?
How to Diagnose ADHD in Bipolar Disorder
Brexpiprazole Ineffective in Mania
Omega-3s and Metabolic Risks in Schizophrenia
CME Post-Test - Mood Disorder, TCPR, October 2021
DOWNLOAD NOW
Featured Book
  • MFB6eCover.jpg

    Medication Fact Book for Psychiatric Practice, Sixth Edition (2022)

    Guidance, clinical pearls, and bottom-line assessments covering the medications you use in your...
    READ MORE
Featured Video
  • therapist_canstockphoto9201097.jpg
    General Psychiatry

    Using SAMe In Clinical Practice with Garrett Rossi, MD

    Read More
Featured Podcast
  • canstockphoto11543850.jpg
    General Psychiatry

    Elvis, Adderall, and a Broken Heart - Part 1

    A new medical investigation changes our understanding of Elvis Presley’s untimely death and offer some pearls for modern psychiatric practice.

    Listen now
Recommended
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png

About

  • About Us
  • CME Center
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Shop Online

  • Newsletters
  • Multimedia Subscriptions
  • Books
  • eBooks
  • ABPN Self-Assessment Courses

Newsletters

  • The Carlat Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
  • The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Geriatric Psychiatry Report

Contact

info@thecarlatreport.com

866-348-9279

PO Box 626, Newburyport MA 01950

Follow Us

Please see our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Subscription Agreement, Use of Cookies, and Hardware/Software Requirements to view our website.

© 2023 Carlat Publishing, LLC and Affiliates, All Rights Reserved.