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

Authors

Natalie Parletta, University of South AustraliaFollow
Dorota M. Zarnowiecki, University of South Australia
Jihyun Cho, University of South Australia
Amy Wilson, University of South Australia
Nicholas Procter, University of South Australia
Andrea Gordon, University of South AustraliaFollow
Svetlana Bogomolova, University of South Australia
Kerin O'Dea, University of Melbourne, University of South Australia
John Strachan, Local Southern Adelaide Health Network
Matt Ballestrin, Local Southern Adelaide Health Network
Andrew Champion, Local Southern Adelaide Health Network
Barbara J. Meyer, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

107563

Publication Details

Parletta, N., Zarnowiecki, D., Cho, J., Wilson, A., Procter, N., Gordon, A., Bogomolova, S., O'Dea, K., Strachan, J., Ballestrin, M., Champion, A. & Meyer, B. J. (2016). People with schizophrenia and depression have a low omega-3 index. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 110 42-47.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is higher in people with mental illness and is associated with a 30 year higher mortality rate in this population. Erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plus eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (omega-3 index)≤4% is a marker for increased mortality risk from CVD while >8% is protective. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are also important for brain function and may ameliorate symptoms of mental illness. We investigated the erythrocyte omega-3 index in people with mental illness. One hundred and thirty adults aged 18-65 years (32.6% male) with schizophrenia (n=14) and depression (n=116) provided blood samples and completed physiological assessments and questionnaires. Both populations had risk factors for metabolic syndrome and CVD. The average omega-3 index was 3.95% (SD=1.06), compared to an estimated 5% in the Australian population. These data indicate an unfavourable omega-3 profile in people with mental illness that could contribute to higher CVD risk.