Strokes & Fish Oil

Strokes are the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. A stroke happens when a blood vessel transporting oxygen and nutrients to your brain becomes blocked or bursts. When blood and oxygen cannot reach your brain, it begins to die. Taking fish oil may help to reduce your risk of a recurrent stroke and to limit the damage it causes.

Types of Strokes and Effects

The two main types of stroke are ischemic stroke, which is the most common type of stroke and develops when a clot blocks blood flow to your brain. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood to your brain ruptures. A transient ischemic attack, also known as a "mini stroke," occurs when a temporary clot develops in a blood vessel. As part of the brain dies off when a stroke happens, various cognitive and bodily functions can be affected such as speech, vision, memory, concentration and walking. You can also suffer paralysis on either side of your body.

Benefits of Fish Oil

Fish oil contains compounds called omega-3 fatty acids. These monounsaturated fats are found in high levels in your brain and are vital for several functions such as brain development, memory and performance. The two types found in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. They help prevent or treat risk factors that contribute to stroke, such as high triglyceride and cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. They also reduce clots and slow the growth of plaque -- a build-up of triglycerides, cholesterol and other substances -- inside the walls of blood vessels that can reduce blood flow.

Research

A study led by Hernan A. Bazan, an assistant professor of surgery at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine, revealed that unstable carotid artery plaques, which are likely to rupture and cause a stroke, have more inflammation and significantly less omega-3 fatty acids than less harmful plaques. The researchers suggest that boosting omega-3 fatty acid intakes could help prevent stroke or improve the safety of post-stroke treatment. In another study published in the journal "Stroke" in 2008, Japanese researchers found that stroke patients who took an EPA supplement with a statin, which helps to reduce cholesterol, had a 20 percent lower risk of suffering a recurrent stroke compared to patients who took a statin only.

Sources

Omega-3 fatty acids are also known as essential fatty acids as your body cannot produce them so you must get them from food. Good sources of fish oil are fatty fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, halibut and sardines. Fish oil is also available in supplements in the form of capsules or liquid.

Dosage

Consume 3.5 oz. of fatty fish, or ¾ cup of flaked fish, at least twice a week, recommends the American Heart Association. Or, taking a supplement with at least 500 mg. of DHA and EPA combined daily can help prevent cardiovascular disease, according to Leslie Beck, a registered dietitian and author of "The Complete A-Z Nutrition Encyclopedia." If you are trying to lower triglycerides and cholesterol, you may need to take as much as 2 to 4 g. of EPA and DHA combined daily under your doctor's supervision. Too much fish oil can increase bleeding and your risk of stroke.