Omega-3 foods essential to treat nerve damage after traumatic injury

(NaturalNews) People that have suffered a traumatic injury face an uphill battle as they attempt to regain their health and fight the risk of depression as a long term consequence of the event. British researchers from Queen Mary at the University of London have published the result of a study in theJournal of Neurosciencethat explains how omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in preventing and protecting nerves from injury. The research focused on peripheral nerve cells which transmit signals between the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Omega-3 fats from food sources including sardines, salmon, walnuts and flax seeds provide for decreased cell death from injury and may offer significant protection against future damage.


List of foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids

(based on levels per 200-Calorie serving)

 

• Cereal Grains and Pasta (3)
• Breakfast Cereals (6)
• Baked Products (37)
• Vegetables and Vegetable Products (217)
• Fruits and Fruit Juices (14)
• Nut and Seed Products (20)
• Legumes and Legume Products (68)
• Finfish and Shellfish Products (217)

• Poultry Products (16)
• Beef Products (7)
• Pork Products (7)
• Lamb, Veal, and Game Products (68)
• Sausages and Luncheon Meats (24)
• Dairy and Egg Products (15)
• Soups, Sauces, and Gravies (21)
• Fats and Oils (122)

• Snacks (12)
• Sweets (8)
• Spices and Herbs (25)
• Beverages (2)
• Baby Foods (26)
• Ethnic Foods (28)
• Meals, Entrees, and Sidedishes (5)
• Fast Foods, generic (31)

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/foods-000140000000000000000.html#ixzz1lUK1Iz2o

Current research indicates that our nerves do have a limited capacity to regenerate, but recovery is severely limited depending on the extent of the injury. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the body's normal growth and development and have been well researched for their health benefits, largely focused on brain and heart health. The body is unable to manufacture its own Omega-3 fat supply, so it is necessary to obtain sufficient intake from foods such as oily fish, nuts and seeds or through supplementation.

Omega-3 fats help prevent nerve damage and assist the repair process

Researchers studied the effect of omega-3 fats on isolated mice nerve cells, known to parallel human nerve responses. They simulated nerve damage caused from an accident or injury by either stretching the cells or starving them of oxygen. Both types of damage can kill a significant portion of nerve cells, but enrichment with omega-3 fatty acids in cells gave them significant protection and decreased cell death.