Your brain contains millions of specialized cells designed to send the billions of small electrical signals required for neurological processes including cognitive functioning, movement and emotional regulation. A constant flow of blood provides your brain cells with the oxygen required to function properly, while a lack of oxygen can cause brain damage or death. Some of the nutrients in fish oil benefit your circulation, helping prevent lack of oxygen in your brain.
Effect of Fatty Acids
The fatty acids in fish oil have an effect on red blood cells. A study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2008 said fish oil changes the chemical composition of red blood cell membranes, potentially affecting the way the cells function. Fish oil might have a beneficial effect on your cardiovascular health and reduce your risk of stroke, helping ensure that your brain receives a steady supply of oxygen.
Effect of Vitamin D
The vitamin D in fish oil might also help support a healthy flow of oxygen to your brain. Vitamin D plays a role in red blood cell function, while a vitamin deficiency can increase the risk of anemia in children -- a condition characterized by reduced oxygen flow throughout the body, including the brain -- according to the Johns Hopkins University Gazette. While the role of vitamin D deficiency in anemia has not yet been fully investigated, taking fish oil to prevent the deficiency might reduce your risk of low oxygen levels in your brain.
Effect of Vitamin A
Fish oil provides your body with a rich source of vitamin A. This nutrient plays an essential role in healthy blood flow, helping to prevent a lack of oxygen to the brain. Vitamin A molecules interact with stems cells within your bone marrow, helping the cells develop into mature, oxygen-carrying red blood cells. In addition, preventing a vitamin A deficiency might help partially protect your brain from a lack of oxygen, since low levels of vitamin A can worsen iron-deficiency anemia, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Considerations
While fish oil might improve oxygen flow to your brain, taking fish oil without medical supervision can be harmful. Large doses of fish oil thin your blood, inhibiting the blood coagulation process your body needs to stop bleeding after an injury. Excessively thin blood increases your risk of internal bleeding, which might disrupt the normal flow of oxygen throughout your body, or might even lead to bleeding in your brain. Avoid these risks by taking fish oil only at the dosage level recommended by your physician.
References
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Flaxseed Oil and Fish-Oil Capsule Consumption Alters Human Red Blood Cell n–3 Fatty Acid Composition: A Multiple-Dosing Trial Comparing 2 Sources of n–3 Fatty Acid
- Johns Hopkins University Gazette: Low Vitamin D in Children May Play a Role in Anemia, Study Finds
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin A
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
