Page 340 - Total War on PTSD

Omega-3 deficiency is extremely common among those in the United States; it’s even been named the sixth biggest killer of Americans. So, it’s not surprising that the researchers found all the service members had low Omega-3 levels, and suicide risk was greatest among those with the lowest DHA levels. There is speculation that PTSD should be considered to be a kind of traumatic brain injury due to a chronically stressed and adrenalized system. PTSD is a neuroplastic disorder in which an event overwhelms the mind and the brain gets rewired in the process.
According to Su et al. cited below: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as EPA and DHA, are essential nutrients that have potential preventive and therapeutic effects on psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, as well as comorbid depression and anxiety in physically ill patient. Preclinical data support the effectiveness of Omega-3 PUFAs as treatment for anxiety disorders. A cohort study found that high serum EPA levels were associated with protection against PTSD.
• Su, K. P., Tseng, P. T., Lin, P. Y., Okubo, R., Chen, T. Y., Chen, Y. W., & Matsuoka, Y. J. (2018). Association of Use of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Changes in Severity of Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta- analysis. JAMA network open, 1(5), e182327. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen. 2018.2327
As discussed by Matsuoka: Modulating adult hippocampal neurogenesis by Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could be a target of choice to prevent PTSD. Such intervention would likely be acceptable in clinical practice in both mental health and
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