Newport Academy To Implement Fish Oil As New Standard

Newport Academy's Medical and Clinical Staff are pleased to announce that effective immediately, all residents in both the Boy's and Girl's Residential treatment programs will be receiving pharmaceutical grade fish oil on a daily basis as part of their standard treatment. This follows approval by the Medical Quality Assurance Committee, the recommendation of our nutritional consultant, Dr. Jeffrey Fortuna, and substantial research in the United States and throughout the world.

Numerous studies have confirmed that low plasma and red blood cell membrane omega 3 levels, as well as high omega 6 to omega 3 ratios in plasma, are biomarkers for depression and suicide risk in both adolescents and adults. Moreover, they are preventable biomarkers and causes of mortality. Fish oil and other omega 3 fatty acids provide enumerable benefits to brain health, as well as to cardiovascular health. These benefits include increasing the integrity and fluidity of neural membranes and enhancing receptor responsively. In addition, higher omega 3 levels aid in increasing executive functions such as memory, thinking, and attention span.

Encouragingly, a number of trials among adolescents have demonstrated that supplementation with Omega 3 EFA has been highly effective in treating depression and a wide variety of mood disorders. For that reason, the Committee on Research and Psychiatric Treatments for the American Psychiatric Association recommended the use of the omega 3 fatty acids, based upon the success of prior studies. Moreover, the APA has noted that the preponderance of epidemiologic and compositional research supports a protective effect from Omega 3 EFA, particularly the two omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil (EPA and DHA), in a wide number of mood disorders.

Newport Academy Executive Director Scott Sowle adds, "We are honored to have someone of Dr. Fortuna's stature on our Medical Quality Assurance Committee and as part of our clinical team. His lectures with our residents and families are always well received. I look forward to his paper "Fish Oil and Omega 3 fatty acids: Neural benefits in the Treatment of Adolescent Substance Abuse with or without Co-morbid Depression" being published in the June edition of the Journal of Pscyhoactive Drugs."

The event last year sold out entirely with over 400 registered participants and over 50 exhibitors. With this year's focus on 'brain healthy living' and over 28 credit hours of continuing education units offered, the 2011 conference promises to be another milestone. Newport Academy Executive Director Scott Sowle adds, "Orange County is widely recognized as a hub for the treatment of addiction. There is also a high incidence of substance abuse per capita and a willingness and acceptance of treatment. It's surprising that there aren't more providers of premiere educational and training events catering to therapists and other professionals in this area. It's easy to understand why this conference sold out last year as it meets a significant unmet demand in this space. Newport Academy is honored to be a part of this offering."

Newport Academy is gender-specific, comprehensive, residential treatment for adolescents suffering from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.