Brain & Nerve
Why You Need Good Nutrition After Brain Injuries
Mar
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) are a hot topic. Unfortunately, they’re much more common than most people realize—they are not just limited to sports. A TBI is an injury to the brain that caused by a blow or jolt to the head. Over 2.5 million adults & children sustain a TBI every year1. In 2013 alone, about 2.8 million people were treated for a TBI in emergency rooms across the country2.
TBI’s can happen for many different reasons. The top three causes are: Falls (40.5%), being struck by or against an object (15.5%), and motor vehicle accidents (14.3%)1. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, TBIs are so devastating because any forceful bump or blow to the head (or hit to the body) makes the head and brain shake rapidly causing the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull. This creates chemical changes in the brain and can sometimes stretch or damage brain cells3. TBI’s may be mild but they can also have long-term consequences and a lifelong impact on your ability to
- move,
- walk,
- talk, and
- sustain other normal brain functions.
In the most extreme cases, TBI can even lead to death.
Nutrition can help with traumatic brain injuries
The link between nutrition and head injuries is not immediately obvious. After all, what does your diet have to do with a TBI? As it turns out, a lot.
You can relate these two issues by two potenial factors.
- Concussions are on the rise
- According to researchers, the modern brain suffers from a syndrome referred to as Diminished Brain Resilience Syndrome (DBR).
Across the population, there is a noticeable rise in concussions, TBI’s, and other related neurological disorders. Alongside this problem is the new theory of Diminished Brain Resilience Syndrome. DBR is the idea that our brains have become more susceptible to mild brain trauma. Researchers think is due in part to our lifestyle choices and the environmental factors that we’re exposed to.
Other problems that might be leading to this lack of brain resilience are:
- The modern American diet which has moved away from Omega-3 fatty acids and toward more Omega-6 fatty acids
- Our increased exposure to both environmental toxins as well as toxins in our current food source (eg. fertilizers, pesticides)
- Overall diminished nutrients in our current food supply.
Our brain relies on a constant supply of glucose and essential nutrients for effective functioning. Although we consume enough food on a daily basis, most of us aren’t getting the nutrients that we need. Our ancestor’s diets likely included much more fish, seafood, and greens, leading to a healthy 4:1 omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Today, the typical American diet ratio is closer to 22:1.
According to many studies, most of us are now deficient in omega-3s4.
Essential nutrients that may help protect the brain
Nutrients like vitamin A, C, and D have an important role to play in our brain health. But, the star of the show is docosahexaenoic (DHA) or Omega-3 fatty acids. DHA is the predominant Omega-3 found in the brain. It can affect neurological function, synaptic plasticity (the junctions between neurons that allows them to communicate with one another), and neuroinflammation5.
Omega-3’s (DHA) are an integral part of cell membranes throughout the body6. They help make hormones that help regulate things like
- our blood clotting,
- the relaxation of artery walls, and
- inflammation6.
Furthermore, animal studies have shown that supplements with DHA, either before or after brain injuries, may produce faster healing times.
In another important experiment carried out in 2016, researchers looked at the effects of DHA and brain injuries. They examined the use of DHA in American football athletes and found that DHA supplementation had a protective effect on the brain. The results of this study have prompted further interest in the area of Omega-3 and the important role that it might play in TBI’s –both before a TBI and after one.
At least 5.3 million Americans live with a TBI-related disability1. Although the traumatic events that lead up to a TBI may be unavoidable, there might be something we can do to help minimize the damage that results from them. Adding Omega-3 to our diets could be one positive step we can take to help minimize the effects of a brain injury and lessen their impact.
