Study suggests ginko and fish oil may help reverse traumatic brain injury
 

Okay, I've had numerous blows to the head from sports, have been suffering from all the classical symptoms for years and have developed new symptoms including twitching all over my body and tremors. Was finally scene by a nuerologist who prescribed zoloft and sent me on my merry way (no lifestyle advice whatsoever). I was told zoloft was a treatment. but through research It just seems like a band aid. I am now thinking I would be better off trying to reverse the damage and came across this article. (well i guess i cant post links..bullcrap)

"The researchers involved identified 30 veteran football players who showed symptoms of traumatic brain injury from years of contact sports. All patients were supplemented with 55.6 graqms of fish oils per day, a multiple-vitamin, and the following brain enhancing nutrients; Ginkgo and Vinpocetine to enhance blood flow to the brain, ALCAR and Huperzine A to increase the level of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter necessary for learning and memory), plus NAC and ALA (powerful brain antioxidants) on average for six-months."

Zoloft and Gingko cannot be used at the same time, so I am just asking if anyone on here has tried this regiment and had success. I just don't want to sink money into something that doesn't work. Any advise appreciated. I also reccomend everyone on here watch frontline on pbs. They have just done two shows in regards to the nfl covering up concussion science.

rickyrunfar,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You don't say what your current symptoms are. Zoloft is an anti-depressant and anti-anxiety commonly prescribed to help patients settle down.

I suggest you start with the regimen in the Vitamins and Supplements sticky at the top. The very heavy dose of fish oil in the study looks extreme.

What have you tried so far to help with healing ?

My symptoms are all the classical ones. Fatigue, constant head ache, brain fog, can't handle social situations,noise sensitivity, irritability, excersise intolerance, depression, anger, impuslivity and most recently everything is getting worse and the twitches are freaking me out. I'm not the same person anymore. I had a horrible ski accident when I was younger that looking back gave me all the symptoms of brain injury and had a few blows to the head every few years until four years ago when I suffered a check in hockey that slammed my head on the ice and my life has been destroyed ever since. I tried to power through symptoms and everything is getting worse, my mood is all over the place and I am frustrated angry at how i've been treated by the world since this happened and scarred that I am all ready developing CTE. I need some advice and I need to know If anything can reverse the damage or am I destined for an early death. There is too much information and my nuerologist gave me no advice.

What I have done to heal is just rest and eat a paleo diet with vitamins and fish oil, but i'm getting worse. I am a seeker of knowledge and maybe i'm over stimulating the brain? I just don't see why i'm getting worse.

There is an issue I found about the fish oil dose:

Pubmed says 5.6 gram:
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whereas invitehealth says 56 gram like you wrote:
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55.6 grams would be more than the double dosis (20 g) that were in given in the cases of severe brain injuries (coma patients) that cnn reported about.

Does anybody have the possibility to access the original article in the

*edit*
"narramore institute reverse brain damage in former nfl players"

The dosis the patients were given is 5.6 grams/day.

According to the original article the 5.6 gram fish oil/day that was given to the patients in this study contained
1720 mg EPA
1160 mg DH

These information are important as not all fish oils are the same.

Please keep in mind that there is a study linking fish oil to a higher risk of prostate cancer. Please inform yourself about it.
I'm not a medical doctor.

rickyrunfar,

There are a number of issues that need to be addressed. Getting control of anxiety and frustration is important. Stress is the worst thing for delaying or exacerbating concussion symptoms.

The vitamin regimen will help your brain tolerate stress better. Avoiding stressful environments and situations is also important.

You should try to not worry about CTE. It usually does not show up until the late 30's to mid 40's. If you take care of your brain from here on out, you can reduce your risk.

Are you taking any meds ?

How old are you ?

What is your current living situation.... working full time.....school....?

Thread with the CNN article on the Fish Oil.

Can't recall if the link to the study was in the article.

CNN covered single case reports of severe brain injuries in which fish oil was applied successfully (if fish oil was the reason).

The threat starter however is referring to a real study (that means no single case reports) that was done with former NFL players.