Scientists warn fish oil could disrupt brain recovery in head injury cases
Scientists say more research is needed on fish oil’s long-term neurological effects
A new study is challenging long-held beliefs about the brain-boosting benefits of fish oil, suggesting that under certain conditions, it may do more harm than good.
Researchers led by neuroscientist Onder Albayram at the Medical University of South Carolina have found that a key omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), could interfere with the brain’s ability to heal after repeated mild head injuries.
Fish oil has long been promoted as a beneficial supplement for brain health, but the new findings indicate its effects may be more complex.
According to the study, higher levels of EPA in the brain were linked to weaker recovery following injury, as well as an increased risk of complications.
The research focused on how the brain repairs blood vessels after trauma. Scientists discovered that elevated EPA levels may disrupt this process by weakening blood vessel stability, altering key healing signals, and contributing to the buildup of harmful proteins associated with cognitive decline.
The study also highlights how fish oil supplements, widely consumed in capsule form and increasingly added to foods and beverages, are often used without a full understanding of their long-term neurological impact.
“Fish oil supplements are everywhere, and people take them for a range of reasons, often without a clear understanding of their long-term effects,” Albayram noted, adding that the brain’s response to such supplements remains insufficiently understood.
The findings are based on model research, where scientists observed that changes in how brain cells process energy may reduce the organ’s ability to recover after injury.
This vulnerability appears to be linked to the accumulation of EPA, one of the primary components of fish oil.
The study, published in Eicosapentaenoic acid reprograms cerebrovascular metabolism and impairs repair after brain injury, underscores the need for further investigation into how commonly used supplements may affect brain health, particularly in individuals with a history of repeated head trauma.