Here is more info on the link between EPA and DHA deficiency and various
disorders of the brain, eyes, and nervous system.

Children deprived of EPA and DHA suffer from lower intelligence, poor
eyesight, attention deficit, antisocial tendencies, and other psychic
disorders.  Artemis Simopoulous, M.D., former chair of the Nutrition
Coordinating Committee at the national Institutes of Health has shown that
low serum and cerebral levels of DHA.... are consistently being found in
people suffering from depression, attention-deficit hyperactivit disorder,
violent criminals, and schizophrenics (The Omega Plan, Harper Collins, 1998=
,
ch. 8).

*Membrane phospholipid metabolism is abnormal in schizophrenic patients.
There is a marked depletion of essential fatty acids particularly
arachidonic acid and docosahexaeonic acid in the red blood cell membranes of
schizophrenic patients.  There appears to be similar abnormalities in the
presence of first degree relatives of schizophrenic patients.*  (see ref.
below)

Modifying the diet to be more enriched with omega-3 fatty acids can have
benefit in the symptoms of schizophrenia and tradive dyskinesia.
Schizophrenic patients who eat more omega-3 fatty acids in their diet have
less severe symptoms.  10 grams of MaxEPA were given daily to 20 chronic
schizophrenic patients who were hospitalized.... there was a significant
improvement in both psychological and tardive dyskinesia after sixe weeks of
treatment.* from Prostaglandins, Leukotrines and Essential Fatty Acids,
1996;55 (1 &2); 71-75.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows a link
between the marked increase in depression in North America and the decline
in consumption of DHA during the same period.

Such evidence supports supplementing your diet with DHA to ensure adequate
optimal function of the brain and transmission of nerve signals....

=B3You would need to eat ten ounces of fatty fish daily to supply five grams
of EPA, and an optimal intake is likely at least that. One tablespoon of cod
liver oil, the maximum usually used as a daily supplement, provides 1.4
grams of grams of EPA, 1.3 grams of DHA, 14,000 I.U. (international units)
of vitamin A, and 1,400 I.U. of vitamin D.  A concentrated and potent food
supplement, cod liver oil should be used sparingly,=B2 notes Dr. Ron Schmid,
author of Traditional Foods Are Your Best Medicine (Healing Arts Press,
1987,1994, 1997).

Rachel
(who is working on a couple of articles on fish oil in general and DHA in
particular)