Fish oil, one of the most widely used nutritional supplements, has received some scrutiny lately. Some critics argue that there is not enough evidence to support taking the supplement when it comes to prolonged health benefits. Past surveys have indicated this in regards to cardiovascular health. But those claims appear to have ignored that insufficient evidence does not mean no indication. A newly released study is now supporting the old arguments that fish oil has health benefits. There is now evidence that NDP1, one of the signaling molecules in DHA, is a promoter of brain and retina repair.
Oxidative stress is known to result in cell death within the brain. When it occurs, a whole host of issues can occur, including cognitive decline and even dementia. Things like ischemic stroke can accelerate this process. In a cellular model, doctors from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center were able to show that NDP1 is able to trigger a protective protein within the brain. This helps the brain to repair itself when administered correctly. This was a groundbreaking study, and appears to be one of the first of its kind to show evidence that the brain has the potential to act in such a manner.
It also provides a potential manner of treating patients who have suffered from an ischemic stroke. Strokes can often result in permanent disability when they occur, and when a loved one suffers from one, there is often a need for long term care. In-home care might be enough for some individuals, but others may require more intensive care after leaving the hospital, such as what is provided within a nursing home. The hope is that as more and more is learned about the relationship between these molecules, an effective therapy for treating stroke may be developed.
If you or an elderly loved one is taking supplements to help improve health, it is important that you know why you are taking them. Fish oil has a wide variety of claims that come along with it, and some are backed by more evidence than others. If you’re going to take a supplement or medication, you want it to help you. Otherwise, it just becomes another pill to take. If you have questions about supplements, always consult a physician. This is especially true for elderly people or those that take many medications. It is possible for some vitamins to interact in a negative manner with other medicines you or a loved one might be taking. It is better to check ahead of time and avoid complications completely.
Effective therapies for stroke currently do not rely as heavily on medication as they do on physical therapy. Paralysis and an inability to use the body in the same way is often present after stroke, and although therapies might be helpful, they do not help everyone. Doctors believe that more treatment options can help more people. Preventing and correcting the brain damage that takes place in some strokes might do just that.
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