Suicide: less risk thanks to Omega 3 DHA supplements

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) deficiency increases the risk of suicide. This is shown by a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, thanks to which researchers from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in Bethesda (United States) were able to add a new piece to the already complex mosaic of information regarding the mental health benefits derived from the consumption of DHA and other Omega 3 fatty acids. In fact, this finding adds to those obtained in previous studies: according to research conducted by the same researchers, low blood concentrations of DHA are associated with brain hyperactivity with characteristics similar to those found in depression and individuals at risk of suicide. And that's not all: some clinical studies have revealed that DHA intake can reduce anxiety, depression and the risk of psychosis.

Data from the U.S. military

Today the authors of research published in the Journal of Psychiatry were able to establish a new connection between Omega-3 and mental well-being by analyzing data regarding 800 cases of suicide recorded among U.S. military personnel between 2002 and 2008. At the end of the analysis, the researchers themselves said they were surprised at the conclusions derived from the study. In fact, Omega-3 fatty acid levels were unexpectedly low in the entire sample taken, which consisted of subjects with an average age of 27.3 years. In particular, comparison with data on 800 other control individuals revealed that a one percentage point decrease in DHA levels corresponded to a 14 percent increase in suicide risk. This was particularly significant in the case of men, where the lowest recorded DHA levels were found to be associated with a 62 percent increase in suicide risk.

A concurrence of factors

Of course, the researchers emphasized that the decision to end one's life is linked to a number of causes that includes not only DHA levels, but also social, psychological and environmental factors. The data obtained in this study confirm this correlation. In fact, the risk of suicide was 52 percent higher in on-duty personnel who had reported seeing deaths or injuries.

Hopes for the future

Now the researchers intend to further investigate their findings by planning an appropriate clinical trial to evaluate the effect of Omega-3 administration on patients. However, the authors themselves explain, this study already suggests the potential of a nutritional intervention based on the intake of these fatty acids. Should the treatment prove effective, it would add a new indication for Omega-3 administration in the treatment of mental disorders.

Source 

1. 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 [Online ahead of print].