Fish oils, particularly those from cold-water fish, contain abundant amounts of the essential fatty acids eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid. EPA and DHA provide a variety of health benefits, including lowering inflammation, decreasing cardiovascular disease and relieving symptoms of depression. Fish oil also promotes healthy nerve function and helps repair nerve damage. Consult your doctor about using fish oil to treat any medical condition.
Spinal Cord Injury
The essential fatty DHA, found abundantly in fish oil, may improve recovery from spinal cord injuries, according to a study published in the October 2010 issue of the "Journal of Neurotrauma." In the laboratory animal study, scientists injected docosahexanoic acid within 30 minutes of spinal cord injury and followed with oral doses of 400 milligrams per kilogram of body weight of DHA per day for six weeks. Results showed improved nerve function within the first week. Within six weeks, DHA treatment reduced myelin and nerve fiber damage. Researchers concluded that the combination of injected and oral DHA reversed nerve damage more than injection alone, and that DHA shows substantial potential to protect the spinal cord from damage.
Corneal Nerves
Corneal nerves respond well to fish oil therapy, according to a study published in the April 2010 issue of the journal, "Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids." Compounds known as resolvins, derived from EPA, one of the main constituents of fish oil, increase tear production and decrease inflammation, in a condition known as dry eye. Also, DHA improves nerve density and tissue integrity after cornea surgery. The oils are effective when applied topically and may be useful for preventing complications, such as erosion or ulceration of the cornea. Further studies to confirm these preliminary results in humans is warranted.
Multiple Sclerosis
Fish oil may reduce inflammation and improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Recommended doses have not been established. However, some experts recommend multiple sclerosis patients eat three meals of fatty fish per week. Fish oil decreases levels of a tissue-degrading enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase, or MMP as it is called. MMP is often elevated in multiple sclerosis patients, according to an August 2007 article on the website drugs.com. Decreases in MMP levels of up to 58 percent have been obtained within three months of supplementation with 9.6 grams of fish oil per day.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Fish oil supplementation may help decrease symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal nerve compression, fibromyalgia and other conditions associated with nerve pain, according to Canadian researchers who conducted a study and published the results in the February 2010 issue of the "Clinical Journal of Pain." In the small clinical study, patients took between 2.4 grams and 7.2 grams of fish oil per day. Results showed significant pain reduction and improved nerve function for as long as 19 months after starting fish oil supplementation.
References
- "Journal of Neurotrauma"; Docosahexaenoic Acid Prevents White Matter Damage After Spinal Cord Injury; R. Ward, et al.; October 2010
- "Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dry Eye and Corneal Nerve Regeneration After Refractive Surgery; J. He, et al.; April 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; "Multiple Sclerosis - Lifestyle Changes"; Harvey Simon, MD; June 2009
- Drugs.com; "Fish Oil Might Help Relieve MS"; August 2009
- "Clinical Joint Pain"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Neuropathic Pain: Case Series; G. Ko, et al.; February 2010
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