MATT HARDIE
Among its already numerous health benefits a new study has indicated that Omega-3 fish oil may ward off alcohol related dementia in abusers.
The Loyola University Chicago School of Medicine conducted the research giving rats the fish oil compound Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA).
After consuming DHA the rats had a significantly higher immunity to brain cell inflammation and cell death after they were exposed to high levels of alcohol.
The study’s artificer Michael A. Collins gathered results from 143 relevant studies which suggested that alcohol in smaller doses stresses brain cells and in turn causes them to ‘toughen’ in order to handle larger stresses that may contribute to dementia.
Although Mr Collins noted that larger quantities of alcohol overwhelm the cells and can result in neuroinflammation or neuronal death.
The Queensland Alcohol and Drug Information Services hotline explained that excessive alcohol consumption puts users at risk of serious brain damage.
“These larger quantities of alcohol are in fact toxic to the nerve tissue of the brain and that’s when the brain develops frontal lobe issues,” they said.
“You will actually begin to see the brain atrophy caused by excessive alcohol in certain neuroimaging scans over time.”
Aggressive consumption of alcohol in large quantities can lead to a syndrome known as Korsakoffs’ psychosis, a neurological disorder caused by chronic alcohol abuse, severe malnutrition and results in a lack of thiamine in the brain.
Some symptoms of this disorder can include anterograde and retrograde amnesia, concentration problems or a general apathy toward everyday life.
The Australian Drug Information Network is highly regarded as a top websites to view additional information about alcohol related psychosis as well as its preventatives through qualitative and academically-sound research.
For more information, visit ADIN’s website.