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Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been linked to various health-related traits. However, the effects of PUFAs on diseases remain inconclusive. Genome-wide association studies have been leveraged to investigate the health effects of PUFAs. We found evidence suggesting a possible causal role for two types of PUFAs in reducing the risk of severe COVID-19. Another research revealed a widespread shared genetic basis between PUFAs and brain disorders, identifying specific shared variants and supporting the potential effects of PUFAs on certain brain disorders, especially major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and alcohol consumption. I will additionally present our recent work showing that fish oil may have a beneficial impact on modifying genome-wide genetic effects on elevated lipid levels. Collectively, these studies offer insights into the role of PUFAs in health by using genetic data.