Omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acid status as a predictor of future suicide risk.
Sublette ME, Hibbeln JR, Galfalvy H, Oquendo MA, Mann JJ. (2006) Am J Psychiatry 163(6): 1100-2
Web URL: View this abstract via PubMed here. Free full text of this article is available online.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Low levels of docosahexaenoic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, and elevated ratios of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids are associated with major depression and, possibly, suicidal behavior. Predicting risk of future suicidal behaviors by essential fatty acid status merits examination.
METHOD: Plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in phospholipids were measured in 33 medication-free depressed subjects monitored for suicide attempt over a 2-year period. Survival analysis examined the association of plasma polyunsaturated fatty acid status and pathological outcome.
RESULTS: Seven subjects attempted suicide on follow-up. A lower docosahexaenoic acid percentage of total plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and a higher omega-6/omega-3 ratio predicted suicide attempt.
CONCLUSIONS: A low docosahexaenoic acid percentage and low omega-3 proportions of lipid profile predicted risk of suicidal behavior among depressed patients over the 2-year period. If confirmed, this finding would have implications for the neurobiology of suicide and reduction of suicide risk.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
This study shows for the first time that in patients with clinical depression, that low blood omega-3 may help to predict future suicide risk. This is an important finding, and replication studies are clearly warranted.
Many studies have already shown that people with depression and other psychiatric disorders often have low blood levels of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils (EPA and DHA). And a prospective case-control study from China found low blood omega-3 in hospitalised patients who had attempted suicide vs matched controls admitted for accidental injury - see Huan et al 2004.
Existing evidence also shows that dietary supplementation with these omega-3 can actually help to alleviate depressive symptoms. See Freeman et al 2006 for the American Psychiatric Association's review and treatment recommendations.
Findings from the current study suggest that fewer depressed patients might go on to commit suicide if more doctors were to follow these treatment recommendations.
Further research is obviously needed to confirm this, but an increased intake of omega-3 is already a safe and relatively simple option for improving general health as well as alleviating depressive symptoms.
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2024 © All Rights Reserved.