New hope for lowering suicide rates in military veterans may lie not in a new drug but in a promising super food supplement: omega-3 fatty acids.
The BRAVO Study
Why: An estimated 20 percent of all suicides in the United States are committed by military veterans. In 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that a veteran dies by suicide every 80 minutes.
What:
BRAVO (Better Resiliency Among Veterans with Omega-3s) is a voluntary dietary research study at MUSC to learn if Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce self-harm behaviors, negative thoughts, and problems that put veterans at risk of suicide. It is double-blind, randomized controlled dietary intervention trial, paid for
When: The study started in late March and will last three years. The study seeks veterans who live in the Charleston area. Vets sign up for six months. Participation is voluntary, will not in any way affect veterans' access to health care or benefits, and will not interfere with any existing treatments.
Where: The study is held at Medical University of South Carolina.
Requirements:
Requires vets to continue all existing medical treatments as normal.
Consume three all-natural fruit juice smoothies, containing either Omega-3 Fatty Acids or macadamia nut oil, daily for six months.
Visit an outpatient office seven times over six months. Each visit may require up to four hour hours per visit.
Complete questionnaires, computer-based assessments and blood draws.
Consent to allowing investigators to consult with your healthcare providers.
How vets sign up: Call the BRAVO information line at 888-322-6884 or email
BRAVO@musc.edu to learn whether they qualify. Veterans in the study will be provided compensation and free parking. . .
The study is being paid for with a $9.8 million grant from the Department of Defense's Military Operational Medicine Joint Program Committee. . .
The hypothesis
Marriott has
proposed that a daily supplement of omega-3 fatty acids, which are building blocks that play important roles in neuronal structure and function, will reduce the risks of mental illness and suicide among military veterans with increased risk of suicidal behaviors.
She said previous studies indicate that omega-3s reduce symptoms of severe depression, improve mood, and reduce impulsive behavior. Depression, impulsivity and excessive alcohol use can increase the risk for suicide, which has been linked to low levels of omega-3.
Marriott said omega-3s cannot be made naturally by our bodies but are found in a variety of foods - especially seafood.
An associated pilot sub-study will investigate the impact of Omega-3 dietary supplementation on alcohol consumption in suicidal veterans with alcohol use disorders.
Marriott said
if the study provides evidence for improvements in curbing suicide in veterans, it could likewise apply to civilians suffering from similar problems….
