Neuroprotection for the warrior: dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids. 2011

Michael D Lewis, and Julian Bailes
Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, 11300 Rockville Pike Suite 1100, Rockville, MD 20812, USA.

Nutrition has traditionally involved in supplying energy and hydration. An emerging concept developed by the authors is the concept of using omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) to increase the resilience of the brain. The n-3 FAs have numerous proven benefits including support of cardiovascular and psychiatric health. Docosahexaenoic acid in particular, is found in high concentrations in the brain. N-3 FAs provide benefits by exerting a protective mechanism at the cellular and neuronal levels including the modulation of inflammatory cascade following traumatic brain injury. Promising research and evolving clinical experience now indicate that n-3 FA is useful and effective for recovery following traumatic brain injury. More exciting is that new laboratory research shows the beneficial effects extend to when n-3 FA is given before injury. Given the safety profile, availability, and affordability of n-3 FA, Generally Recognized As Safe amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (up to 3,000 mg daily) should be considered for the athlete and soldier, not only for its general health benefits, but particularly also for those at risk or high exposure to brain impacts. A comprehensive, coordinated research program to evaluate the multiple uses of n-3 FA should be a high priority for the Department of Defense.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008889 Military Personnel Persons including soldiers involved with the armed forces. Air Force Personnel,Armed Forces Personnel,Army Personnel,Coast Guard,Marines,Navy Personnel,Sailors,Soldiers,Submariners,Military,Force Personnel, Air,Personnel, Air Force,Personnel, Armed Forces,Personnel, Army,Personnel, Military,Personnel, Navy,Sailor,Soldier,Submariner
D009751 Nutritional Requirements The amounts of various substances in food needed by an organism to sustain healthy life. Dietary Requirements,Nutrition Requirements,Dietary Requirement,Nutrition Requirement,Nutritional Requirement,Requirement, Dietary,Requirement, Nutrition,Requirement, Nutritional,Requirements, Dietary,Requirements, Nutrition,Requirements, Nutritional
D001930 Brain Injuries Acute and chronic (see also BRAIN INJURIES, CHRONIC) injuries to the brain, including the cerebral hemispheres, CEREBELLUM, and BRAIN STEM. Clinical manifestations depend on the nature of injury. Diffuse trauma to the brain is frequently associated with DIFFUSE AXONAL INJURY or COMA, POST-TRAUMATIC. Localized injuries may be associated with NEUROBEHAVIORAL MANIFESTATIONS; HEMIPARESIS, or other focal neurologic deficits. Brain Lacerations,Acute Brain Injuries,Brain Injuries, Acute,Brain Injuries, Focal,Focal Brain Injuries,Injuries, Acute Brain,Injuries, Brain,Acute Brain Injury,Brain Injury,Brain Injury, Acute,Brain Injury, Focal,Brain Laceration,Focal Brain Injury,Injuries, Focal Brain,Injury, Acute Brain,Injury, Brain,Injury, Focal Brain,Laceration, Brain,Lacerations, Brain
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001523 Mental Disorders Psychiatric illness or diseases manifested by breakdowns in the adaptational process expressed primarily as abnormalities of thought, feeling, and behavior producing either distress or impairment of function. Mental Illness,Psychiatric Diseases,Psychiatric Disorders,Psychiatric Illness,Behavior Disorders,Diagnosis, Psychiatric,Mental Disorders, Severe,Psychiatric Diagnosis,Illness, Mental,Mental Disorder,Mental Disorder, Severe,Mental Illnesses,Psychiatric Disease,Psychiatric Disorder,Psychiatric Illnesses,Severe Mental Disorder,Severe Mental Disorders
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D015525 Fatty Acids, Omega-3 A group of unsaturated fatty acids occurring mainly in fish oils, with three double bonds at particular positions in the hydrocarbon chain. N-3 Fatty Acid,Omega-3 Fatty Acid,Omega-3 Fatty Acids,n-3 Fatty Acids,n-3 Oil,n3 Oil,Omega 3 Fatty Acids,n-3 Oils,n-3 PUFA,n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid,n3 Fatty Acid,n3 Oils,n3 PUFA,n3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid,Acid, N-3 Fatty,Acid, Omega-3 Fatty,Fatty Acid, N-3,Fatty Acid, Omega-3,Fatty Acid, n3,N 3 Fatty Acid,Oil, n-3,Oil, n3,Omega 3 Fatty Acid,PUFA, n-3,PUFA, n3,n 3 Fatty Acids,n 3 Oil,n 3 Oils,n 3 PUFA,n 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid

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