People with schizophrenia and depression have a low omega-3 index

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Psychiatry
• Cardiovascular Health
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) presents a significantly higher mortality risk (30 years earlier) in individuals with mental illness.
• Low erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), known as the omega-3 index, (≤4%) is linked to increased CVD mortality.
• Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are crucial for brain function and may alleviate mental illness symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the erythrocyte omega-3 index in adults diagnosed with mental illnesses, specifically schizophrenia and depression.
• To assess if the omega-3 index in this population is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Main Methods:

• Erythrocyte omega-3 index was measured in 130 adults (18-65 years) with schizophrenia (n=14) or depression (n=116).
• Participants completed physiological assessments and questionnaires.
• Blood samples were analyzed for DHA and EPA levels.

Main Results:

• The average omega-3 index in the study population was 3.95% (SD=1.06), which is lower than the estimated 5% in the general Australian population.
• Participants exhibited risk factors for metabolic syndrome and CVD.
• The findings indicate an unfavorable omega-3 fatty acid profile in individuals with mental illness.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with mental illness, including schizophrenia and depression, exhibit a suboptimal omega-3 index.
• This unfavorable omega-3 profile may be a contributing factor to the elevated CVD risk and mortality observed in this population.
• Further research and potential interventions targeting omega-3 levels are warranted to improve cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with mental illness.