Omega-3s are widely available, but not of uniform quality. Dr. Michael Lewis, a member of the Brain Health Education & Research Institute and a thought leader in this area of research, recommends using only fish oils that have been double-distilled and, preferably, reconstituted in their original triglyceride form.
The established Omega-3 brain health protocol, established by Dr. Lewis, is the following:
STEP 1: Begin with a high-quality fish oil supplement
- For capsules: Each 1,000mg soft gel Omega-3 capsule should contain approximately 600mg of EPA & DHA omega‐3s combined.
- You will need approximately 175 capsules for the first two weeks.
- For liquid concentrate Omega-3 oil: 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml), containing approximately 3,000mg (3 g) of EPA & DHA omega-3s combined.
STEP 2: Begin taking Omega-3s as soon as possible following a brain injury
- WEEK 1: Take 5 capsules (3 g of EPA/DHA) three times a day for 7 days or 1 ½ teaspoons will provide approximately 3 g (3,000 mg) of EPA/DHA. In most cases, five capsules of concentrated fish oil are sufficient.
- WEEK 2: Take 5 capsules (3 g of EPA/DHA) two times a day for 7 days.
STEP 3: Maintenance. Continuing a MAINTENANCE DOSE is important to maintain optimal brain health.
- Take 5 capsules (3 g of EPA/DHA) a day.
This Brain Health and Research Institute protocol has been developed as a guideline. Since every patient and every brain injury is different, patients and their healthcare providers may wish to adjust the dosage to their needs. For example, if the injury is more severe or occurred months or years earlier, the patient may prefer to be on a higher dose for a longer period.
The TreatNOW website offers the 2014 article originally published in Diet and Nutrition in Critical Care.
Barlean’s Oils, a source of premium-quality essential oils, has generously agreed to make its oils available at a steep discount to ABI survivors on a tight budget. Details of this unique charitable program, including how one qualifies for the discount, are available from Barlean’s at 1-800-445-FLAX. Be sure to mention “The BART Foundation’s Discount” when you speak with a customer service representative.
NOTE:
Please read our Disclaimer Page again before using this resource guide. There are no definitive, uniformly accepted standards for persons claiming to offer alternative therapies. In some states anyone can hang out a shingle, even without suitable training or credentials, and claim to be a craniosachral worker, neuro-feedback practitioner, nutritionist or other therapist. To address this critical pitfall we have consulted acknowledged thought leaders in each field, followed their guidance, and presented lists of practitioners that are likely to be well qualified.
Even then there are no guarantees. One should seek a frank discussion with each prospective physician or therapist in order to explore their background. How long have they been practicing their specialty? What prior experience do they have in treating patients with brain injuries? Can they offer references or testimonials? Nothing is 100 percent effective, not even aspirin or acetaminophen. With alternative therapies, as with mainstream approaches, there is always an element of chance, luck, randomness. What works brilliantly for one survivor, may not work for another, and we may never know why. All one can do is try one’s best, and hope to be lucky.
We are unable to make specific referrals – not only for liability reasons, but also because we don’t personally know most of the practitioners. Please review their information posted and then call prospects to inquire how they might help your personal condition. Most physicians and therapists will let you know if they feel they can help, or will offer an alternate suggestion.
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