Omega 3 Fish Oil Shows Reduction of Seizures in Patients With Epilepsy

by | Jan 10, 2020 | General Medical Articles | 0 comments

Omega 3 fatty acids have long been heralded as the healthiest fat for your body, and it seems that the benefits are continuing to grow. Recently a study was published showing a reduction of seizures in patients who exhibited epilepsy, when consumed on a regular daily basis. This isn’t the first time that this type of unsaturated fat has proven itself to be a tool in the prevention of disease and disorders, but as the list grows, so does the respect from the scientific community, and the need for the general public to embrace healthy living concepts such as remembering to take these supplements or to include more natural sources in your meals.

What Are Omega 3 Fatty Acids

These fats are a collection including eicosapentaenic acid and docosahexanoic acid, which are found in fish, as well as alpha-linolenic acid, found in different types of plants. They are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are different from those saturated fats you get in animal products such as meat and butter, which generally provide more harm than good by raising cholesterol and unhealthy levels of LDL. Polyunsaturated fats like omega 3s on the other hand lower your cholesterol and offer help with inflammation as well. Unfortunately, these essential fatty acids aren’t produced by the human body, which leaves many people deficient of something that could be giving major advantages in health. For this reason you can find omega 3 capsules and tablets as supplements, eat coldwater fish like herring, tuna, or salmon. How Stuff Works states: “Just make sure that you don’t overdo it on large fish like shark, tilefish and tuna, which tend to be high in mercury. Pregnant women should definitely avoid fish with high mercury levels.”

You can also eat plenty of soybeans, walnuts, flaxseed, and a variety of other foods rich in this type of fat. Some, such as canola oil, can be used in the process of cooking other foods.

How The Study Was Completed

In the United States, more than two million adults and four thousand and seven hundred children have been diagnosed with epilepsy. This is a long term, neurological disease that causes seizures, and can be deadly if not managed correctly. A new study has claimed that it is possible to reduce the number of seizures that epilepsy patients have by consuming regular amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, such as those found in oily fish. The study requires patients to consume the fish oil every day for at least ten weeks to see results. Health Day states: “One expert not connected to the study said many people with epilepsy remain without adequate treatment.”

This research was led by Professor Christopher DeGiorgio of the University of California in the Los Angeles School of Medicine within the Department of Neurology. He has hinted that the results of this testing might prove useful for patients with epilepsy who don’t seem to respond to their medication any longer.

How Other Studies Relate To New Findings

In the past, it has been recorded that omega 3 fatty acids can aid in the stabilization of the heart, and can even go so far as to prevent heart disease and attacks. Epilepsy patients are at a far higher risk of undergoing a heart attack than people who don’t have this condition. This means that by consuming regular doses of this unsaturated fat, somebody with epilepsy has a higher chance of living a life free of heart complications. Omega 3 has also been involved in the reduction of excitable levels of brain activity, which can bring on a seizure.

Doses and Epilepsy

In The United States, there are more than one hundred and fifty thousand reported cases of epilepsy each year, which means that 1 in 24 people in the U.S. could be diagnosed. While some forms of epilepsy is caused by problems such as head injuries, strokes, or brain tumors, some have no definitive answer as to its beginnings. This study has the ability to make a difference in the lives of those who are not finding success with their current medical treatment. Medical News Today has said: “The primary ?nding is that low-dose ?sh oil was associated with a reduction in seizure frequency of 33.6% compared with placebo. Though the size of the trial will require con?rmation, the magnitude of the effect on seizure frequency is similar to many randomized trials of antiepileptic drugs.”

Low doses of fish oil showed a reduction of seizures of 30%, during a study which gained results from 24 epileptic participants who weren’t finding results from their medication any longer. This information was found after a six week period during which groups were given low dose, high dose, and placebo supplements throughout the day. The fewest number of seizures which were reported during the experiment were twelve in a one month span, which was during a low dose treatment. The high dose treatment had a low of seventeen in one month, while the placebo was eighteen at its lowest. A 33.6% decrease in the number of seizures that somebody has is a huge deal and could make a real difference.