Observational studyLipids in health and disease2025
The association between plasma omega-3 fatty acids and suicidal ideation/self-harm in the United Kingdom Biobank.
Observational study in Lipids in health and disease, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Treatment on Risk for Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Meta-Analysis of 35 Trials including 114 592 Individuals.Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology · 2026Pooled it
- Biological Risk Factors for Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Treatment on Risk for Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Meta-Analysis of 34 Trials including 114,326 Individuals.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundSelf-harm is a significant public health concern, with increasing prevalence globally. Omega-3 fatty acids (FAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are known for their health benefits, including potential mental health improvements. This study explores the association between omega-3 FAs and self-harm behaviors using data from the UK Biobank (UKBB).
objectivesTo investigate the relationship between plasma levels of omega-3 FAs and various measures of self-harm, including passive suicidal ideation and deliberate self-harm, within a large cohort study.
methodsThis observational study analyzed data from a random subset of 258,012 participants with plasma omega-3 FA levels, covariate data, and self-harm records. Omega-3 levels were measured using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and are expressed as a percent of total FAs. Self-harm outcomes were assessed through self-reported questionnaires and medical records. Covariates included demographic, health, and lifestyle factors. Statistical analyses involved logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for relevant covariates. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) are presented and 95% confidence intervals.
resultsHigher levels of DHA, non-DHA (ALA+EPA+DPA) and total omega-3 were generally inversely associated with passive suicidal ideation, history of self-harm, and future self-harm, with both DHA and non-DHA showing some of the strongest associations. Participants in the highest quintile of non-DHA had a 14% lower risk of passive suicidal ideation in the last year (aOR = 0.86; 95% CI 0.75, 0.99), and the highest DHA levels were associated with a 33% lower odds of history of self-harm (aOR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.55, 0.83). These associations were generally stronger for medical record-based outcomes than for self-reported data.
conclusionsThis study provides evidence that higher omega-3 FA levels, both DHA and non-DHA, are associated with reduced risks of self-harm and suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that omega-3 FAs may play a protective role in mental health, highlighting the potential of dietary interventions to mitigate self-harm behaviors.
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