Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid Is Related to Happiness and a Sense of Fulfillment—A Study among Female Nursing Workers

Abstract

Background: Omega (ω) 3 fatty acid (FA) is a polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) that can modulate some mental statuses. However, most studies have not considered the functional differences between eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). We investigated associations among happiness, a sense of fulfillment and serum ω3 PUFA levels. Methods: Participants were 133 female staff from a hospital and nursing homes. Happiness was measured using the Japanese version of the subjective happiness scale (SHS); a sense of fulfillment was assessed using a visual analogue scale. Serum FA concentrations were measured. A partial correlation test and a regression model were applied. Results: The SHS scores showed significantly positive correlations with a sense of fulfillment, DHA% and EPA% (p p B = 0.18, p B = 0.24, p B = 0.32, and p Conclusion: Happiness was related with serum EPA%, a sense of fulfillment, and premenopause.

Keywords

• docosahexaenoic acid
• eicosapentaenoic acid
• α-linolenic acid
• happiness
• linoleic acid
• a sense of fulfillment