Omega-3s may affect brain repair: Should you avoid them?

• For many years, we have heard about the potential health benefits of fish oil due in part to their high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Past studies have linked the consumption of fish oil to possible protection against several health concerns, including brain diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
• A new study has found that fish oil supplements may not be beneficial for people who have experienced repeated mild traumatic brain injuries.
• Researchers believe the build-up of a specific omega-3 fatty acid could potentially disrupt brain healing and assist with the accumulation of the protein tau in the brain, via both human cell and mouse trials.

For many years, we’ve heard about the potential health benefits of fish oil due in part to their high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids.

Past studies have linked the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil — either through oily fish or fish oil supplements — to possible protection against several health concerns, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, and neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia.

Now, a new study published in the journal Cell Reports has found that fish oil supplements may not be beneficial for people who have experienced repeated mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

Instead, the build-up of a specific omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil could potentially disrupt brain healing and assist with the accumulation of the protein tau in the brain, which is considered to be a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, via both human cell and mouse trials.