Fish oil, high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, has been used for its beneficial effects on a variety of health conditions, including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Fish oil also supports proper brain development and offers protective benefits for the nervous system. In some cases, traumatic brain injury has responded well to treatment with fish oil. Consult your doctor before using fish oil to treat a medical condition.
Dopamine
Fish oil supplementation increased dopamine levels after traumatic brain injury in a study conducted at the Brain Trauma Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh. In the laboratory animal study, seven days of fish oil supplementation restored a deficit of dopamine. Fish oil did not affect levels of certain compounds derived from dopamine. Researchers concluded that their results indicate potential for use of fish oil in reversing dopamine deficiencies following brain trauma. Further trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results in humans. The study was published in the June 2011 issue of the journal "Neuroscience Letters."
Football Injuries
Fish oil may be useful in the treatment of brain-damaged football players, according to research conducted at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine and published in the January 2011 issue of the "Journal of Psychoactive Drugs." The study used a combination of therapies, including weight loss, where appropriate, 5.6 mg fish oil per day, a high-potency multiple vitamin, gingko biloba, periwinkle extract and antioxidants for six months. Results showed significant increases in attention, memory and reasoning. Information processing speed and accuracy also showed improvements. Brain scans showed increased blood flow, particularly in the prefrontal cortex -- the area of conscious judgment and decision-making, as well as areas of the brain that process vision and coordinate information from throughout the brain.
Statin Drugs
Fish oil provides similar protective benefits to statin drugs for the brain, say researchers who conducted a study published in the December 2007 issue of the journal "Brain Research Reviews." Both substances prevent over-excitation of the brain, decrease inflammation and provide antioxidant effects. Fish oil and statin drugs also inhibit production of the protein beta-amyloid, which is associated with brain aging and degeneration. These properties of fish oil imply potential for its use in treating neurological disorders. The study was conducted at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Ohio State University.
Learning Ability
Brain trauma causes an increase in free radicals and inflammatory molecules in the brain that can be reduced with the use of fish oil, says Ohio State University researcher Akhlaq Farooqui, in his book "Beneficial Effects of Fish Oil on Human Brain." Impaired learning ability from brain trauma has also been prevented by the use of fish oils in preliminary work. Fish oils keep neurons healthy and adaptive, in contrast to saturated fats, which have the opposite effect, says Farooqui.
References
- "Neuroscience Letters"; Oral Fish Oil Restores Striatal Dopamine Release After Traumatic Brain Injury; S. Shin, et al.; June 2011
- "Journal of Psychoactive Drugs"; Reversing Brain Damage in Former NFL Players: Implications for Traumatic Brain Injury and Substance Abuse Rehabilitation; D. Amen, et al.; January 2011
- "Brain Research Reviews"; Comparison of Biochemical Effects of Statins and Fish Oil in Brain: the Battle of the Titans; A. Farooqui, et al.; December 2007
- "Beneficial Effects of Fish Oil on Human Brain"; Akhlaq Farooqui; 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
