Saturday, April 25th 2026
Fish oil supplementation is not good for everyone because fish oil does not provide the same benefits to everyone, scientists have found
Fish oil, a supplement made from fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, is widely used for its omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients linked to heart health and often touted as beneficial for the brain. However, new research shows that the effects of fish oil supplements may not be beneficial for everyone, especially in people with repeated head injuries.
Fish oil supplementation does not always help brain recovery
The study led by scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina, published in Cell Reports, found that some components of fish oil may hinder the brain’s ability to recover after head injuries. repeated mild traumatic brain injury. The results call into question the common perception that omega-3 supplements are protective in every situation.
Fish oil supplements do not always help brain recovery, because eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is associated with slower recovery after mild repetitive brain injury, the study says.
Higher levels of EPA acid in the brain are associated with lower ability to repair damage after injury. Research in mice showed that EPA does not integrate into brain cells as well as DHA – docosahexaenoic acid, a key omega-3 fatty acid necessary for brain, eye and nervous system health.
EPA-related neurovascular damage can exacerbate the accumulation of tau protein, which is found in Alzheimer’s disease and degenerative brain diseases such as encephalopathy.
Traumatic injuries to the brain itself cause it to function. poor blood vessels in the brain
The findings do not prove a direct link between EPA and poor healing after brain injury, but they do indicate that fish oil may not provide the same benefits for brain health in all people, while many people take these supplements without realizing the long-term effect.
Traumatic brain injuries themselves cause poor blood vessel function in the brain, and EPA has reprogrammed these responses so that it does not improved healing. Genetic analysis showed fewer signals for blood vessel repair and increased fat metabolism, meaning the body burns more fat for energy, which can lead to metabolic disorder.
The scientists noted that although fish oil supplements may not be beneficial for people with brain damage, they may help prevent cognitive decline in healthy people, so this study should not discourage people from their use.
Lead author of the study, Onder Albayram, said the findings should not be taken as a general warning against the use of fish oil.
He stressed that it cannot be said that fish oil is universally good or bad. According to him, what the data show is that biology is context-dependent and one must understand how these supplements behave in the body over time, rather than assuming the same effect applies to everyone.
The study focused on a specific condition – mild repetitive traumatic brain injury, and used tissue from chronic traumatic brain injury to provide supportive evidence, but not to prove direct causation.
As with any study, there are limitations. important. Patterns can be observed in human tissue, but what caused them cannot be proven. Also, not all factors that affect how the body processes omega-3 in real life, including general nutrition, health status and lifestyle, can be included.
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Source: prizrenpost
