Omega-3 fatty acids beneficial for TBI patients
A long-standing clinical challenge for doctors has been treating concussions and other forms of traumatic brain injury.
“Clinical studies thus far have failed to identify an effective treatment strategy,” an article on the Knowridge Science Report website reads. “According to emerging science and clinical experience, aggressive intake of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) seems to be beneficial to TBI, concussion, and post-concussion syndrome patients.”
The research was recently presented in “Concussions, Traumatic Brain Injury, and the Innovative Use of Omega-3s,” a review article from the American College of Nutrition.
“Research suggests that early and optimal doses of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) have the potential to improve outcomes from traumatic brain injury. The article reviews preclinical research and cites three brain injury case studies that resulted from a mining accident, a motor vehicle accident, and a drowning accident,” the article reads. “Each instance showcased evidence of safety and tolerability, wherein the patients who sustained life-threatening brain injuries recovered brain health with the aid of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA).”
According to the research, the brain needs to be saturated with high doses of n-3FA in order for it to have the opportunity to heal.
“Without an optimal supply of omegas, healing is less likely to happen. It is well recognized that n-3FAs are not a drug and not a cure and every situation is different,” the article reads. “Clinically, some patients respond better than others. However, there is no downside to providing optimal levels of nutrition in order to give a patient the best opportunity to regain as much function as possible following a TBI.”
