Red blood cell polyunsaturated fatty acids and mortality in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study

•Relations between red blood cell fatty acids and total mortality were studied in 6501 women. •Multivariable adjusted odds ratios per 1 standard deviation increase in fatty acid levels were calculated. •There was an 8% reduction in risk associated with higher eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid levels. •Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid content is a significant predictor of all-cause mortality. Background The prognostic value of...