Cod liver oil is a supplement that can be taken for a variety of purposes due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Cod liver oil may be able to benefit epileptics by inhibiting seizures. However, you should talk to your doctor before taking cod liver oil or any other supplement.
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is a supplement that is derived from extracts of the liver of cod. Cod are a fatty fish that are rich in a type of fat known as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be made by the body and are used to treat a variety of health problems, including atherosclerosis, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, diseases caused by aberrant inflammation and bipolar disorder. Cod liver oil is also rich in vitamins A and D.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder marked by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, causing seizures. Seizures can occur for a number of reasons, including chemicals, trauma and tumors. Epilepsy is marked by seizures that have no obvious immediate cause. Often epilepsy is idiopathic, which means that it has no definable cause. Epilepsy can affect people of any age , though it usually begins between the ages of 5 and 20.
Epilepsy and Cod Liver Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in cod liver oil, can reduce inflammation and prevent seizures. A study, published in a 2005 issue of "Epilepsy and Behavior," examined the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on people with epilepsy. This study found that giving epileptics omega-3 fatty acids reduced seizures for the first six weeks of treatment, although this effect was not sustained after that. This study suggests that omega-3 fatty acid-containing products, such as cod liver oil, may provide some benefit for patients with epilepsy.
Considerations
Although cod liver oil may provide some temporary relief if you have epilepsy, cod liver oil has not been specifically studied as a treatment for epilepsy. In addition, cod liver oil is high in vitamins A and D, so taking too much cod liver oil can result in an accidental overdose of these vitamins. Talk to your doctor before taking cod liver oil or any other supplement.
Member Comments