[mrsD]

Today on CNN:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/18/health...Top+Stories%29

[blackcompe]

Here are some of the thoughts/questions I had.

The big question is if and when will ER physicians start adapting this treatment method?

To me it seems at best all we can do is run a long-term study on Fish Oil's efficacy for severe TBI. But how do we do that if were aren't administering it due to lack of evidence. Ironic huh?

There's plenty of literature on EPA's benefits for inflammation, although I'm not sure about neuroinflammation so much. Dr. Sears, the author of "The Zone Diet", is a world-renouned biochemist whose touted about EPA and neuroinflammation for years. In fact, I think he consulted on the case of the only surviving miner in the VA mine accident. This was the first publicized case of Fish Oil benefits for severe TBI. Lets not forgot that DHA makes up a considerable portion of the brain's chemical structure. It would certainly be helpful for re-building damaged neurons (in high doses). If you want to see the data itself, search Google Scholar, PubMed, or any of the leading medical-research publishers.

Seems like it can't hurt to try when there's fear the person may not ever come out of a coma or will forever live in a vegatative state, and you've basically run out of options. Of course, there should be some form of chronic inflammation. Perhaps it will become a part of the standard treatment protocol (which is basically non-existant) for even the mildest of head injuries. Since Fish Oil is a blood thinner, it should be used with caution in some cases.

[mrsD]

My son had moderately severe ADHD.... he was able to end his reliance on Ritalin and clonidine, by taking just one Super DHA by Carlson's, one flax oil and one evening primrose, daily. He was off his meds within 3 months. And that is why I am now on the net and here.

His school performance improved to the level that he could get into just about any college he wanted (I never thought he'd get into college).

We removed transfats from our diets, and this was about 15+ yrs ago. Dr. Sears' first book had just come out then. I felt it was a very small intervention, with an enormous payoff. I did it myself first, and it cured my GERD, and asthma. An added bonus for my son was a resolution of his teen acne too.

So I don't think massive doses are needed for most people. The unfortunate teen in the CNN story was close to death.

And really this is not really new... Dr. Blaylock MD has used nutritional interventions in his practice when he was an active neurosurgeon.
http://www.blaylockwellnesscenter.com/Site/Home.html
He is retired now, and selling his own products, much like Dr. Mercola. His newsletter gets mentioned often on our Neuropathy forum. He spends most of his time researching the papers that have been published so far, now. He also has strong opinions on vaccines.

Basically neurologists and neurosurgeons have enormous liability insurance premiums...and that fact alone, probably accounts for why they refuse to suggest anything these days. It is sad because some of the "evidence" based studies they do promote are fraudulent, or ghost written and Big Pharma is to blame for that. The doctors will believe that tripe without corroborating it, but will withhold fish oil, which is a very useful nutrient for nerve repair. Go figure!

I think that CNN aired this story at all, rather miraculous itself!

[Lightrail11]

Thanks for the link. Some random thoughts.

For context, similar to person in the CNN story, I was injured in a vehicle-pedestrian accident; my TBI was categorized as moderate to severe; the neurosurgeon who performed the craniotomy the night of the accident later told me "I didn't think you were going to make it". I was in ICU for a month, followed by a month in neurorehab. I was not given fish oil but did receive anti-clotting medication including aspirin and Coumadin. I have since fully recovered except for some occasional minor vertigo.

Studies have indicated fish oil can be helpful for improving circulation and thereby may be useful in preventing stroke, and some studies have suggested possible reduction of plaque in Alzheimer's patients. That said, some studies suggest that excessive amounts may be dangerous to the point of increasing stroke risk.

I'm thrilled that the young man in the CNN story has recovered. The fish oil protocol mentioned in the story is encouraging, but I think it prudent to keep in mind that this case represents a sample size of 1, and correlation doesn't equal causation. In other words, he may have recovered anyway using a different protocol, as was my experience.

While this story is inspirational and heart warming, I suggest more study is needed.

[blackcompe]

I think it prudent to keep in mind that this case represents a sample size of 1

He's the third case CNN has covered. The first was the lone-surviving VA miner. The second was the kid who rolled his car off a cliff or something like that. And then this most recent story.

I understand what you're saying..... let's not jump to conclusions because a few successful outcomes, but at the same time, to my knowledge, giving fish oil for severe TBI is just starting to be done. CNN's article fails to mention how many severe TBI patients it hasn't helped. I really don't see how it can hurt, unless thinning the blood is contraindicted.