If you've had a stroke, you may need to make changes to your lifestyle to help prevent your risk of having a second stroke or other cardiovascular problems. Omega-3 fatty acids are used by many to protect their cardiovascular health, but it isn't clear if they are beneficial for preventing strokes. Talk to your doctor before taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
About Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids, cannot be synthesized by the body as the human body lacks the enzymes necessary to make these fats. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for controlling cell growth, development, the function of your nervous system, inflammation and the levels of different fats in your blood. Omega-3 fatty acids can come from leafy green vegetables, vegetable oils, walnuts, flaxseed oil and fatty fish, such as herring, mackerel, salmon and tuna, as well as from supplements.
Benefits For Stroke
Omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for you if you have had a stroke because of how they affect lipid levels and clotting. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce triglyceride levels in your blood, thus lowering your risk of developing atherosclerosis. These fats also make it harder for platelets to stick together to initiate clots; this reduces your risk of developing a blood clot in your brain that leads to a stroke. A 2001 article in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that women who ate omega-3 fatty acid containing fish at least two times per week were less likely to develop a thrombotic stroke.
Limitations
Not all studies found that omega-3 fatty acids benefit stroke victims, however. A 2009 article in "Stroke" found that giving stroke victims 3 g of fish oil with a total of 1.2 g of omega-3 fatty acids each day did not significantly affect the patients' lipid levels or their likelihood of developing blood clots in the brain. However, this study only examined the effects for a short period of time, which means that it may take longer for omega-3 fatty acids to have an effect if you have had a stroke.
Considerations
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for stroke victims are not clear. Before you begin to take omega-3 fatty acids, talk to your doctor, as an abnormally high intake of these fats may make you bleed or bruise more easily and can potentially increase your risk of having a hemorrhagic stroke. Do not use omega-3 fatty acid supplements as a substitute for your doctor's care or any medications that you have been prescribed.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute; Essential Fatty Acids; Jane Higdon; 2005
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Intake of Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Stroke in Women; Iso et al.; 2001
- "Stroke"; Effects of Moderate-Dose Omega-3 Fish Oil on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Mood After Ischemic Stroke; Poppitt et al.; September 2009
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