With epilepsy, the electrical signals in your brain become abnormally excited, which affects normal brain function. These abnormal electrical signals cause seizures, which can cause changes in behavior. Epilepsy may begin at any age, though MedlinePlus notes that it usually starts between the ages of 5 and 20. Traditional treatment for epilepsy includes medications called anticonvulsants, though you may consider an alternative treatment, such as a supplement. One option is using omega-3 fatty acid supplements, which are polyunsaturated fatty acids. Before taking omega-3 fatty acids to reduce seizures, consult your doctor.
Types
Several types of omega-3 fatty acids exist, which you need to get through your diet as your body cannot produce these essential fatty acids on its own. The three types of omega-3 fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA; docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA; and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA. The omega-3 fatty acids used to reduce seizures in epilepsy patients are DHA and EPA.
Effects
Omega-3 fatty acids play important roles in your central nervous system, which includes your spinal cord and your brain. For example, omega-3 fatty acids are part of your cell membranes, and how much you consume of these fatty acids affects the membrane composition. The amount of DHA in your cell membranes can affect how the ion channels function. Altered functioning of ion channels can affect how electrical signals are transmitted. EPA can reduce inflammatory markers, which may result in fewer seizures.
Evidence
In a 2002 preliminary study published in "Epilepsia," researchers gave five epilepsy patients 5 g of omega-3 fatty acids mixed in a bread spread for breakfast over a period of six months. The omega-3 fatty acid supplement consisted of 46 percent DHA, 18 percent EPA and percent ALA. After six months, the five patients had a reduction in both the strength of their seizures and how frequently they had them. While this study showed a benefit for these five patients, it may not apply to the epilepsy population as a whole. In a 2005 randomized study published in "Epilepsy and Behavior," the researchers gave 1 g of EPA and 0.7 g of DHA to epilepsy patients over 12 weeks. The study consisted of 30 patients who took the supplements and 27 patients who received a placebo. The researchers found that epilepsy patients who took the omega-3 fatty acid supplements had fewer seizures in the first six weeks, but that effect was not maintained after that period of time.
Sources
Several foods contain both DHA and EPA. Oily fish, such as salmon, herring and sardines, contain significant amounts of both omega-3 fatty acids. The Linus Pauling Institute notes that a 3-oz. serving of Pacific herring contains 1.06 g of EPA and a 3-oz. serving Atlantic salmon contains 0.95 g. Your body also can convert ALA into DHA and EPA. Food sources include flaxseed oil and walnuts. If you and your doctor decide that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation will help with your epilepsy, she may recommend that you take supplements such as fish oil capsules, which contain both DHA and EPA. When choosing a fish oil supplement, note that the dosage is based on the number of milligrams of DHA and EPA. A common dosage for a fish oil capsule is 120 mg of DHA and 180 mg of EPA. Follow your doctor's instructions on the amount of DHA and EPA that you should take for your epilepsy.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Epilepsy
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Essential Fatty Acids
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Epilepsy
- "Epilepsy & Behavior":Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Patients with Chronic Epilepsy: A Randomized Trial; Alan W.C. Yuen, et al.; September 2005
- "Epilepsia"; Diet Enriched with Omega-3 Fatty Acids Alleviates Convulsion Symptoms in Epilepsy Patients; Simon Schlanger, et al.; January 2002
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