The BART Foundation aims to promote better outcomes for brain injury survivors by answering three questions: Which alternative therapies are likely to work, where can they be found, and how can they be afforded? We fulfill our mission by carefully monitoring global research and clinical trial outcomes and sharing that information in user-friendly language with the TBI/ABI community.
Omega 3 oil supplementation is one of the safe alternative therapies that we at the BART Foundation believe may result in better outcomes for brain injury survivors. This article, presented in the November 2025 issue of Lipids in Health Disease, explores the association between omega-3s and suicidal ideation/self-harm behaviors using data from the United Kingdom’s Biobank. The researchers involved are affiliated with the Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota; the College of Nursing, University of Illinois-Chicago; Saint Luke’s Mid-America Heart Institute, University of Missouri-Kansas City; and the Fatty Acid Research Institute, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The goal of the review was to investigate the relationship between plasma levels of omega-3s and various measures of self-harm, including passive suicidal ideation and deliberate self-harm, within a large cohort of 258,012 participants with plasma omega-3 FA levels, covariate data (such as demographics, health, lifestyle factors), and self-harm records.
The results of the analysis indicated that participants with higher omega-3 levels, both DHA and non-DHA, experienced reduced risks of self-harm and suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may play a protective role in mental health, highlighting the potential of dietary interventions to mitigate self-harm behaviors.
Using Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Heal Brain Injuries
Omega-3 oils are widely available but not of uniform quality. Dr. Michael Lewis, a thought leader in this area of research and a member of the BART Foundation advisory board, recommends using only fish oils that have been double-distilled and, preferably, reconstituted in their original triglyceride form.
Barlean’s Oils, a source of premium quality essential oils, has generously agreed to make its oils available at a steep discount to ABI survivors who find themselves on a tight budget. Details of this unique charitable program, including how one qualifies for the discount, are available from Barlean’s at 1-800-445-FLAX. Be sure to mention “The BART Foundation’s Discount” when you speak with a customer service representative.
Working to bring this sort of discount program to life is part of the BART Foundation’s core mission. Barlean’s generosity and benevolence pays for the discount, for which we honor and salute them. Our foundation has no financial interest in and receives no compensation from Barlean’s.
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