Research on benefits of fish oil
 

I noticed that there is a 2010 Journal of Neurosurgery article by Dr. Julian Bailes and others on the potential benefits of taking fish oil after a TBI (the researchers tested four groups of rodents, three of which were subjected to an "impact acceleration injury." Two of the latter three groups received dosages of omega-3 fatty acids for the 30 days following the injury. The omega-3's apparently had some significant beneficial effects on those groups, for example, in relation to the number of amyloid precursor protein (AAP)-positive axons in the brain). The authors concluded that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA "are safe, affordable, and readily available worldwide to potentially reduce the burden of traumatic brain injury."

All this makes me wonder whether in the future fish oil will be widely viewed as a significant aspect of post-concussion treatment (and concussion prevention). It also makes me wonder what the appropriate dosage level is - for example, whether it should be higher than the standard 4 capsules or 1500 mg / day (ie, taking into account other risk factors that may prevent people from taking higher doses).

greenfrog,

Good find.

Dr Julian Bailes has been at the forefront of concussion research for quite some time. He has been ignored by the mainstream medical community until recently. He coined the term "sub-concussive impact."

Omega 3's should be part of the diet of any concussion sufferer. I have never read anything about it being used as a concussion preventative or it making the brain more concussion tolerant.

Two substances have been found to reduce the impact to the brain of concussion. Progesterone has show good promise as an immediate treatment after a brain trauma. metformin, a drug taken by some diabetics, also shows promise as it helps in the post concussion phase.

Here are a few media articles on the subject. Hard to know how much is hype - there seem to be only a few articles from credible publications out there - but I find it interesting that some athletes/teams are getting on board. Some of the quotes suggest that DHA is the substance that researchers are most interested in (ie, as opposed to EPA). It's unclear what the optimal EPA : DHA ratio in fish oil is for people recovering from a concussion.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5995704

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d...n-issue-headon

http://randybirdnutrition.com/2010/0...otball-helmet/

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11002/1115033-139.stm

Another article
 

Again, not sure about the scientific accuracy of this article (it's written by Barry Sears, a researcher who has his own line of fish oil products). But I found it interesting.

http://www.zonediet.com/blog/2011/05...-brain-trauma/

Just curious if you know if there are preparations of fish oil that are 100% guaranteed not to have shellfish ingredients. I have a severe allergy to shellfish and couldnt find a health store that would say for certain that their fish oil was shellfish free.

Not sure - maybe you could email some manufacturers of the better fish oil products out there (ie, those with the fewest contaminants)? Or talk to a good nutritionist or allergist?

I googled "fish oil shellfish allergy" and found some links with different views on this issue - some sources suggest that taking fish oil supplements might be OK in your situation. But I'm by no means an expert - you should definitely get properly informed before deciding to go down this road.

I'm taking supplements produced by this company, which seems to have a good reputation.

http://www.ascentahealth.com/

The ingredient list for the product I'm taking is: "fish oil (anchovies, sardines, mackerel), all natural flavouring, natural tocopherols (vitamin E), green tea extract."

Thanks for your thoughts. I try to have mahi or tuna a few times a week to get my omegas in...will probably just stick to this routine to stay on the safe side. I'll ask my allergist too the next time i go in! thanks

My Neuro has me take 900mg of DHA fish free Algae based Omega 3...I know I like the taste much better and no lingering after-taste. I've read about the algae based Omega3 and I'm encouraged by the clinical studies.

Is fishoil treatment for concussions really a hoax like FDA claims ? It in fact denies everything from curcumin to every dietary supplement out there.any thoughts?