Fish oil may boost mood in soldiers: study

Low concentration of fish oil in the blood and lack of physical activity may contribute to the high levels of depressed mood among soldiers returning from combat, a new study has found.
Researchers worked with 100 soldiers to identify which factors affected moods in returning soldiers.
"We looked at how physical activity levels and performance measures were related to mood state and resiliency," said Richard Kreider, from Texas A&M University in the US.
"What we found was the decrease in physical activity and the concentration of fish oil and Omega-3s in the blood were all associated with resiliency and mood," Kreider said.

He said that fish oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids that help to boost brain function. Studies also show that fish oil acts as an anti-inflammatory within the body - helping athletes and soldiers manage intense training better.
Fish oil content is especially important for soldiers due to the consistent training and physical regiments performed in and out of combat and risk to traumatic brain injury, he said.

Researchers examined Omega-3 fatty acid levels of soldiers who committed suicide compared to non-suicide control and found lower Omega-3 levels in the blood were associated with increased risk of being in the suicide group.

The findings may be significant toward addressing some of the issues many soldiers face, said Major Nicholas Barringer who conducted the research as a doctoral student at Texas A&M.
"The mental health of our service members is a serious concern and it is exciting to consider that appropriate diet and exercise might have a direct impact on improving resiliency," Barringer said.
Researchers developed a formula that has the potential to assist in effectively screening soldiers with potential PTSD ahead of time.
The formula measures a number of factors including: fitness and psychometric assessments, physical activity, and additional analysis.
"By improving resiliency in service members, we can potentially decrease the risk of mental health issues," Barringer said.

"Early identification can potentially decrease the risk of negative outcomes for our active service members as well as our separated and retired military veterans," he said.
"The military is using some of our exercise, nutrition, and performance-related work and the findings may help identify soldiers at risk for depression when they return from combat tours," Kreider said.
By identifying such high-risk issues faced by soldiers, it can set a precedent that will benefit not only military leadership, but also the general public, he said.