US EditionFish oil supplements linked to slower brain repair in some patients, study finds
Researchers found EPA slowed blood-vessel repair in injured mouse brains and human cells, while DHA did not, raising questions about fish oil use after trauma.
- Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina published a study in Cell Reports suggesting that eicosapentaenoic acid , a key ingredient in fish oil supplements, may hinder brain healing after repeated mild traumatic injuries.
- While docosahexaenoic acid generally supports brain health, lead researcher Onder Albayram found EPA accumulates in injured brains, disrupting blood vessel repair and potentially contributing to tau protein buildup linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy .
- Experiments on mice and human brain cells revealed that EPA triggers a 'context-dependent metabolic vulnerability,' which shifts energy away from repair processes; researchers identified similar lipid handling patterns in postmortem tissue from individuals diagnosed with CTE.
- Albayram stressed that the findings should not be interpreted as a blanket warning, noting that "biology is context-dependent" and fish oil may behave differently depending on individual physiological state.
- Experts emphasize that more research is needed to determine if these effects translate to humans, as the current study serves as a starting point for developing precision nutrition strategies for brain injury and neurodegeneration.
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11 Articles
Fish oil supplements linked to slower brain repair in some patients, study finds
Fish oil containing EPA omega-3 fatty acids may make the brain more vulnerable after repeated mild head injuries, according to a new study from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Popular Supplement May Have an Unexpected Downside, Study Finds
Fish oil supplements have long been linked with a variety of brain benefits, but new research suggests that one of the omega-3 fatty acids these supplements contain could interfere with the brain's repair processes.
Fish Oil May Be Harmful for This Group of People, Scientists Say
As a daily fish oil supplement taker (partly for brain health, mostly for lowering triglycerides), the findings of a new study are making me hope I never incur a traumatic brain injury. Those incredible omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA are linked to lower inflammation and better cardiovascular health. But new research suggests they may be doing more damage than they repair in people who have suffered repeated mild traumatic head injuries. In…
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