Fish Oil May Have the Potential to Treat Epilepsy

(Newswire.net — September 14, 2018) Orlando, FL — Fish oil is one of the most widely used natural alternatives today. It is thought to improve overall health and fight a range of conditions. Individuals with epilepsy may also take into account the use of this natural alternative. 

Research reveals that fish oil may have the potential to ease tough-to-treat epilepsy. Fish oil contains healthy fats called omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are essential for the functioning of the brain and body. 

Omega-3s can be obtained from eating fish such as salmon, sardines, or tuna. They can also be consumed through supplementation. 

Dr. Christopher DeGiorgio from the University of California, Los Angeles, led a research study involving 24 individuals with epilepsy that is no longer responsive to medications. Epilepsy sufferers who were participants of the study could no longer control their condition. 

In the study, it was found that the participants who took a low-dose of omega-3 fats experienced fewer monthly seizures.

According to Dr. David Friedman, Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY, medications are still the primary treatment for individuals who are newly diagnosed with epilepsy. Unfortunately, despite the use of these anti-epileptic drugs, over 35% of the epilepsy sufferers still continue to have seizures. 

Dr. Friedman also added that epilepsy sufferers tend to resort to alternative treatments such as brain-stimulating devices, surgeries, or special diets. 

In a study, the UCLA researchers provided the participants with 3 separate treatments. Each treatment lasts 10 weeks and is separated by a 6-week period. 

It was found that the average number of seizures in a low-dose fish oil group was 12 in a month. For the high dose of fish oil group, participants suffered from a total of 17 seizures. The group that received a dose of corn oil suffered from 18 seizures.

It is important to note that there were 2 participants who took a low dose of fish oil and became completely free of seizures. A low fish oil dose was linked with a reduction in blood pressure. When fish oil was taken in a high dose, it was associated with increased blood pressure. 

According to previous research, omega-3s travel from the bloodstream into the central nervous system. They then decrease the excitability of the cells in the brain that trigger seizures. 

While further research is needed to confirm the findings, a low dose of fish oil may be a helpful, safe, and low-cost intervention for epileptics. Fish oil may have the potential ability to reduce the likelihood of seizures as well as possibly improve the cardiovascular health of epilepsy sufferers.

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