Taking fish oil might reduce seizures in people with epilepsy, according to a recent study.
Fish oil contains two omega-3 fatty acids called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to provide a wide range of health benefits, including a lower risk of coronary heart disease and improvement in cholesterol. Additionally, previous research suggests that omega-3 supplements might help improve brain energy and health in people who have epilepsy.
In a new study, researchers randomly assigned 24 people with drug-resistant epilepsy to receive a low dose of fish oil, a high dose of fish oil, or placebo daily for 10 weeks. After a six week washout period, each participant switched treatments until all participants received all treatments for 10 weeks with 6 weeks in between. The frequency of seizures was measured throughout the study.
The researchers found that taking a low dose of fish oil (3 capsules daily,1080mg EPA+DHA) was linked to a 33.6 percent reduced seizure frequency compared to placebo. Furthermore, taking low-dose fish oil reduced blood pressure. However, taking high-dose fish oil did not reduce the frequency of seizures or improve heart health.
The authors concluded that taking low-dose fish oil might reduce seizures and improve overall health in people with drug-resistant epilepsy, justifying the need for a larger-scale study to further evaluate these findings.
For information about fish oil, please visit Natural Standard’s Food, Herbs & Supplements Database.
For information about integrative therapies for epilepsy, please visit Natural Standard’s Comparative Effectiveness Database.
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2024 NatMed. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited. NatMed is the leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based, clinically-relevant information on natural medicine, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, minerals, functional foods, diets, complementary practices, CAM modalities, exercises and medical conditions. Monograph sections include interactions with herbs, drugs, foods and labs, contraindications, depletions, dosing, toxicology, adverse effects, pregnancy and lactation data, synonyms, safety and effectiveness.
