Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

April 3, 2012

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, have been reported to relieve migraine headaches, although the only such study was relatively small. The dose of omega-3 fatty acids was 6 grams taken daily as a preventive treatment for migraines. A recent study published in Neurology shows another reason to take fish oil. Researchers at UCLA measured levels of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA in red blood cells of 1,575 healthy people with an average age of 67 +/- 9 years. They discovered a strong correlation between low levels of DHA and EPA and shrinking of the brain as well as impaired cognitive function even in people without any signs of dementia. High fish intake has been associated with reduced risk of death from heart disease and strokes and this study shows another highly beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids.

Written by
Alexander Mauskop, MD
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