Summary: Researchers found lower Omega-3 (fish oil) levels and reduced physical activity were linked with greater risk of depressed mood and reduced resiliency in service members returning from combat.
Source: Texas A&M
Low blood levels of fish oil–derived Omega-3 fatty acids and lower physical activity appear to be linked with higher rates of depressed mood among soldiers returning from combat, according to researchers including a Texas A&M professor and his former doctoral student.
In the study titled “Fatty Acid Blood Levels, Vitamin D Status, Physical Performance, Activity and Resiliency: A Novel Potential Screening Tool for Depressed Mood in Active Duty Soldiers,” the research team evaluated 100 active duty male soldiers at Fort Hood to determine which biological and lifestyle factors were associated with mood and resiliency after deployment.
The project was led by Major Nicholas Barringer when he was a doctoral student at Texas A&M under the supervision of Richard Kreider, Professor and Head of the Department of Health & Kinesiology. The team included current and former U.S. Army members and additional colleagues from Texas A&M.
“We examined how physical activity levels and performance measures related to mood state and resiliency,” Kreider explained. “Our analysis showed that lower physical activity and reduced concentrations of fish oil–derived Omega-3s in the blood were associated with lower resiliency and worse mood.”
Fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids that support brain function and have anti-inflammatory effects, Kreider noted. Those properties may be especially relevant for soldiers who face demanding physical training, frequent physical regimens, and elevated risk of traumatic brain injury. The anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective aspects of Omega-3s may help service members better tolerate intense training and stressors associated with combat and military life.
The study builds on prior research by Colonel Michael D. Lewis, M.D., which observed that soldiers who died by suicide had lower Omega-3 blood levels than matched controls. That earlier finding prompted further exploration into whether fatty acid status, together with fitness and activity measures, could identify service members at higher risk for depressed mood.
Barringer emphasized the potential significance of the findings for mental health prevention. “The mental health of our service members is a serious concern,” he said. “It is encouraging to consider that appropriate diet and exercise might directly improve resiliency and reduce the likelihood of depressed mood.”
To better detect soldiers at risk, Kreider and Barringer developed a predictive regression equation that combines several factors: standardized fitness and psychometric assessments, objective physical performance measures, reported physical activity and inactivity, and blood analyses for fatty acids and vitamin D. When applied to their sample, the equation classified depressed mood status accurately in about 80% of participants, with sensitivity and specificity in the high 70–80% range.
“By improving resiliency in service members through targeted exercise and nutrition, we may be able to lower the risk of mental health problems,” Barringer said. “Early identification of those at higher risk could reduce negative outcomes for active duty personnel as well as separated and retired veterans.”
Kreider added that the military is already applying some of the team’s exercise, nutrition, and performance insights to better identify soldiers at risk for depression and other mood disturbances after combat tours. He stressed the broader social responsibility to support service members throughout their service and during community reintegration.
“The public must recognize that soldiers need support before, during, and after their service,” Kreider said. “Effective transition programs, community engagement, and sustained support can help returning service members reintegrate and maintain mental and physical well-being.”
More information on exercise, nutrition, and fatty acid research related to military performance and mental health is available through the Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab at Texas A&M.
Source: Texas A&M
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Original research (citation): Barringer, N. D.; Kotwal, R. S.; Lewis, M. D.; Funderburk, L. K.; Elliott, T. R.; Crouse, S. F.; Smith, S. B.; Greenwood, M.; Kreider, R. B. “Fatty Acid Blood Levels, Vitamin D Status, Physical Performance, Activity, and Resiliency: A Novel Potential Screening Tool for Depressed Mood in Active Duty Soldiers.” Military Medicine. Published online September 2016. DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00456
MLA: Texas A&M. “Fish Oil May Help Improve Mood in Veterans.” NeuroscienceNews. 24 September 2016.
APA: Texas A&M. (2016, September 24). Fish Oil May Help Improve Mood in Veterans. NeuroscienceNews.
Chicago: Texas A&M. “Fish Oil May Help Improve Mood in Veterans.” NeuroscienceNews. (accessed September 24, 2016).
Abstract
This study evaluated whether blood fatty acid levels, vitamin D status, and physical activity are associated with physical fitness scores, mood as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and resiliency as measured by the Dispositional Resiliency Scale-15 in active duty soldiers. One hundred active duty males at Fort Hood, Texas underwent psychometric testing, anthropometric and fitness measurements, and provided fasting blood samples for fatty acid and vitamin D analysis. Pearson bivariate correlation analysis identified significant relationships among psychometric measures, body composition, physical performance, reported inactivity (sitting time), and blood levels of fatty acids and vitamin D. Based on these associations, the authors developed a regression equation to predict depressed mood status as defined by the PHQ-9. The model correctly predicted depressed mood status in 80% of participants, with a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 80.5%. The findings suggest a regression-based screening approach could help identify soldiers at higher risk for mental health issues. Future research should evaluate whether interventions focused on exercise and diet can improve resiliency and reduce depressed mood in military populations.
“Fatty Acid Blood Levels, Vitamin D Status, Physical Performance, Activity, and Resiliency: A Novel Potential Screening Tool for Depressed Mood in Active Duty Soldiers” — Nicholas D. Barringer et al., Military Medicine. Published online September 2016. DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-15-00456