The role of fatty acids in the emotional well-being of young adults: associations between fatty acid levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances

Purpose:
Young adults experience high stress levels, leading to mood disorders. This study investigates the associations between specific fatty acid levels, lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and emotional well-being among young adults.

Methods:
Seventy-two young adults aged 18-35 participated in this study. Participants completed self-assessments of depression severity (PHQ-9), stress (PSS-10), insomnia (ISI), and anxiety (GAD-7). Blood samples were collected and analyzed for plasma fatty acid profiles, lipid profiles, C-reactive protein (CRP) and kynurenine pathway metabolites. Classification and Regression Tree (C&RT) and multivariate stepwise regression analyses were employed to identify potential predictors of mental health outcomes.

Results:
The analyses revealed significant associations between certain fatty acids, lipid markers, and mental health conditions. Lauric acid, myristic acid, and eicosatrienoic acid were identified as potential indicators of mental health issues. Higher levels of palmitoleic acid were linked to increased depressive symptoms, while higher oleic acid levels were associated with reduced depression. Anxiety was influenced by myristoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Stress and sleep disturbances correlated with specific fatty acids. The models explained a significant percentage of variability in mental health outcomes, accounting for 25% in both depressive symptoms and anxiety, 23% in stress, and 43% in sleep disturbances.

Conclusions:
Specific fatty acids, associated with lipid profiles, kynurenic acid, and CRP, significantly impact the mental health of young adults. Monitoring biomarkers may assist in managing mental health disorders. Personalized dietary interventions could improve well-being and sleep quality. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and establish causal relationships.