Omega-3: valuable aids in recovery from sports-related concussion

The Omega-3 can reduce the changes caused by sports-related concussion. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) appears to act on molecular events that occur following trauma, promoting recovery. These fatty acids could one day represent a therapeutic strategy to improve or prevent complications associated with sports injuries. This is reported in an article published in Advances in Nutrition, where researchers from DSM Nutritional Products in New Jersey (USA) reviewed numerous studies highlighting the action of Omega-3 on traumatic brain injuries.

Traumatic brain injury: lack of therapy

Concussion is a common injury among athletes, especially those participating in contact sports such as football and hockey. Also known as mild traumatic brain injury, it is defined as a complex pathological process affecting the brain, caused by traumatic mechanical forces to the head. This damage often results in memory problems, disorientation, and loss of consciousness. Short-term symptoms of concussion include headache, cognitive problems, sensitivity to light and sound, irritability, sleep disturbances, and loss of consciousness. Athletes who have had a concussion are at increased risk of subsequent injuries, with potentially serious consequences. Some studies have suggested that repeated trauma can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a form of dementia commonly associated with boxing. Currently, no effective therapy for these injuries is available, and post-trauma treatment is limited to rest.

How do Omega-3s work?

Omega-3 DHA is widely present in the brain, where it plays important structural and functional roles, both during development and in maintaining cognitive functions throughout life. Consistent with these roles, scientific studies suggest that DHA may positively influence recovery from traumatic brain injuries. Some research indicates that DHA content in the brain is reduced after trauma, suggesting the necessity of this molecule for healing. The potential neuroprotective benefits of Omega-3 derive from animal studies, which show that supplements, given before or after concussion, can limit damage to the axon, the structure of the neuron that is particularly damaged in trauma. Omega-3s also appear to act by blocking the death of damaged neurons. Oxidative stress that occurs following concussion is a consequence of dysfunctions in energy metabolism and causes damage to cellular structures. Therefore, normalizing oxidative metabolism could reduce damage to lipid membranes. Post-traumatic supplementation with Omega-3s, known for their antioxidant action, seems to improve this condition. Cranial trauma can alter the release of certain neurotransmitters. Decreased dopamine release, for example, may be responsible for some functional deficits, as it plays an important role in learning and memory. Laboratory animals that received supplements of DHA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) restore a higher dopamine release compared to control animals.

DHA: a therapeutic possibility for mild traumatic injuries

In conclusion, as observed in these studies, supplementation with DHA may reduce the degree of neuronal damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death. DHA also seems to promote the expression of substances necessary for proper neuronal and cognitive function. The compelling nature of these results has prompted scientists and health authorities to further investigate the action of Omega-3 in the treatment of sports-related concussions, increasingly recognized as a public health issue. Controlled human studies will be necessary before definitive clinical recommendations can be made, and to this end, the first clinical trials on the role of DHA in brain trauma recovery are currently underway. To stay updated on the latest news from Omega-3 scientific research subscribe to our newsletter. • To learn more about triglycerides and understand what triglycerides are, what happens when you have high triglycerides and low triglycerides, click on the respective links. • To better inform yourself about HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, cholesterol supplements, omega 3 cholesterol and how to lower cholesterol without drugs click on the respective links provided here. Source: Erin Cernkovich Barrett, Michael I. McBurney, and Eric D. Ciappio. “ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation as a Potential Therapeutic Aid for the Recovery from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion” Adv Nutr May 2014 Adv Nutr. vol. 5: 268-277, 2014