USA: The American military believes fish oil can help against suicidal urges

Years of research suggest that omega-3 fatty acids protect mental health by reducing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other serious behavioral disorders. A new study will test whether consuming products enriched with these nutrients represents a valid therapeutic opportunity to reduce suicide risk. The study will soon begin, led by Bernadette Marriott and Hugh Myrich of the Medical University of South Carolina, who will assess the effect of consuming an Omega-3 enriched shake, already marketed in Europe, on the mental health of participants.

Why Omega-3?

The choice of Omega-3 as possible aids in reducing suicide risk is based both on previous research results and on the need to clarify the involvement of these fatty acids in psychological disorders. While some studies have failed to establish a correlation between Omega-3 levels and issues like anxiety or depression, others point in the opposite direction, suggesting protection against depression, substance abuse addiction, and other mental disorders. A study published in Nutritional Neuroscience revealed, for example, that cognitive flexibility and executive functions are associated with the availability of these nutrients.

A 2011 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that military personnel (men) with low levels of docosahexaenoic acid (the Omega-3 known as DHA) were at a 62% higher risk of suicide compared to those with higher levels of this Omega-3. Despite these findings, it is not yet possible to confirm causality—that Omega-3 deficiency directly leads to suicide. Moreover, the benefits of Omega-3 intake extend far beyond psychological health, involving all other aspects of well-being positively affected by these fatty acids: from cardiovascular health to reducing the risk of debilitating diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Participant selection

Marriott and colleagues will involve a group of high-risk U.S. veterans for suicidal behavior in the study. The high suicide rate among veterans is an extremely current and important problem in the U.S. military forces, which recorded 38 presumed suicides among their soldiers in July 2012 alone—the highest number since monitoring began. However, suicide is also a widespread problem beyond the military and ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. among people aged 18 to 65.

Fortunately, analyses by Istat have revealed that Italy is one of the OECD countries with the lowest suicide mortality rates and that between 1993 and 2009 there was a steady decline in suicide incidence. However, 6.7 people per 100,000 inhabitants in Italy choose to take their own lives each year, totaling about 3,800 people. Omega-3s could represent a valuable and affordable aid to further contain the phenomenon.

Psychological well-being in an Omega-3 shake

The new study involves daily consumption, for 6 months, of 2 shakes enriched with Omega-3 or 2 shakes without these precious fatty acids. Marriott explained that the choice of product for the study was dictated by its excellent taste and the absence of side effects associated with its intake. Beyond the administration form, this new research will clarify the role played by Omega-3s in influencing suicide tendencies.

Sources Lewis MD, Hibbeln JR, Johnson JE, Hong Lin Y, Hyun DY, Loewke JD, “Suicide Deaths of Active-Duty US Military and Omega-3 Fatty-Acid Status: A Case-Control Comparison”, J Clin Psychiatry, August 23, 2011 Johnston DT, Deuster PA, Harris WS, Macrae H, Dretsch MN, “Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and neurocognitive performance in deployed U.S. Servicemembers”, Nutr Neurosci. 2012 Jun 28