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Omega-3 and Brain Injury Recovery
A podcast of Dr. Lewis with previous patient John Miles
Omega-3 and Brain Injury Recovery
A podcast of Dr. Lewis with previous patient John Miles
Real Recoveries
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The Published Science
Chronic Stress, the HPA Axis, and Omega-3: Anti-Inflammatory and Cortisol Effects (with honest limits)
Covers evidence that omega-3s suppress proinflammatory cytokines and can blunt cortisol responses to stress via the HPA axis - while transparently noting mixed human results, including a trial where chronic psychological stress was NOT ameliorated by EPA alone. Included deliberately to model BHERI's honest, applied-research approach to evidence.
Read the StudyOmega-3 PUFAs and the Gut-Brain Axis in Depression: Immune Resolution and HPA Modulation
Synthesizes how EPA and DHA may exert effects through the gut-brain axis - shaping microbiota, reducing intestinal permeability and immune activation, and modulating HPA-axis stress signaling. Notes individuals with mood disorders often show reduced EPA/DHA membrane levels. Presented as mechanism and active inquiry, not settled cure.
Read the StudyNeuroinflammation in PTSD: Cytokines, the Blood-Brain Barrier, and Microglial Activation
Documents that PTSD patients show elevated IL-1B, IL-6, TNF-a, and C-reactive protein, and that circulating cytokines cross a weakened blood-brain barrier to activate microglia - a neuroinflammatory loop damaging emotion-processing circuits. Much of the impetus comes from studies in US veterans, BHERI's core population.
Read the StudyCrosstalk Between Inflammatory and Neural Signaling in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Links psychological trauma to the same neuroinflammatory machinery as physical brain injury: disruption of the HPA axis alongside elevated proinflammatory cytokines and COX-2 metabolites worsens PTSD. Supports BHERI's view that trauma - physical or psychological - converges on neuroinflammation that the omega-3 protocol is designed to address.
Read the StudyLuminal Bioavailability of Orally Administered Omega-3 PUFAs in the Distal Small Intestine
A human study measuring the intestinal bioavailability of 4g/day EPA+DHA over 28 days and its effect on the gut microbiome. Adds direct human absorption data underpinning BHERI's dosing and gut-health-aware protocol design.
Read the StudyPolyphenol Microbial Metabolites Exhibit Gut and Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Protect Microglia Against Inflammation
Shows that polyphenol microbial metabolites cross both the gut and blood-brain barriers more readily than their parent compounds and protect brain microglia against inflammation. Provides the scientific basis for BHERI's pairing of polyphenols with the omega-3 protocol to aid blood-brain-barrier delivery.
Read the StudyAssociations Among Dietary Omega-3 PUFAs, the Gut Microbiota, and Intestinal Immunity
Demonstrates that the gut microbiota modulates the absorption and metabolism of omega-3 PUFAs, and that omega-3 intake improves the microbiome by increasing beneficial bacteria. Supports BHERI's view that gut health is a determinant of how effectively the omega-3 protocol is absorbed and utilized.
Read the StudyMolecular Mechanisms Linking Omega-3 Fatty Acids and the Gut-Brain Axis
Explains how EPA and DHA preserve the integrity of both the intestinal and blood-brain barriers, modulate inflammation by reducing proinflammatory cytokines, and regulate the HPA axis by reducing excessive cortisol. Provides the mechanistic foundation for BHERI's emphasis on gut health in protocol absorption.
Read the StudyOmega-3 Fatty Acids and Traumatic Neurological Injury: From Neuroprotection to Neuroplasticity
Reviews evidence that omega-3 PUFA intervention is a promising approach for acute traumatic CNS injury, with neuroprotection magnitude comparable to other agents with good translational profiles. Extends the rationale from protection to active neuroplasticity and repair.
Read the StudyHigh-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Sport-Related Concussions
A clinical trial evaluating whether high-dose omega-3 supplementation improves recoverability in athletes who have sustained a concussion, with the explicit aim of reducing recovery time and potentially the incidence of post-concussion syndrome - directly aligned with BHERI's Acute Concussion Care program.
Read the StudyOPTIMA-TBI: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Omega-3 in TBI
An active randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial testing 6g/day of DHA+EPA for one month followed by 1.2g/day - a high-dose protocol resembling BHERI's saturation approach. Measures biomarkers of neuronal injury, inflammation, and neurogenesis. Represents the rigorous trial work now validating the approach BHERI has applied clinically.
Read the StudyOmega-3 Fatty Acids as a Putative Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury (Review)
A comprehensive review concluding that DHA and EPA have the most promising laboratory evidence for neuro-restorative capacity in TBI, with both animal and human studies suggesting benefit. Honestly notes the field still requires large clinical trials - consistent with BHERI's applied-research posture.
Read the StudyUse of Omega-3s in Traumatic Brain Injury
A review by Dr. Lewis summarizing the case for omega-3 fatty acids in TBI, noting that clinical research has not identified a single effective treatment strategy for TBI when a combined approach to neuroprotection, neuroinflammation, and neuroregeneration is needed - an approach omega-3s uniquely offer. Also addresses the unfounded bleeding-risk concern.
Read the StudyTherapeutic Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Severe Head Trauma
Dr. Lewis and colleagues document the therapeutic application of high-dose omega-3 fatty acids in severe head trauma, drawing on the principle that the injured brain requires the omega-3 building blocks it is made of in order to repair. Part of the published basis for BHERI's protocol.
Read the StudyNeuroprotection for the Warrior: Dietary Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A foundational paper by BHERI founder Dr. Michael Lewis and neurosurgeon Dr. Julian Bailes making the case for omega-3 supplementation as neuroprotection for service members at risk of traumatic brain injury. Establishes the rationale that DHA and EPA, as primary structural components of brain tissue, support resilience to and recovery from neurotrauma.
Read the Study
Chronic Stress, the HPA Axis, and Omega-3: Anti-Inflammatory and Cortisol Effects (with honest limits)
Covers evidence that omega-3s suppress proinflammatory cytokines and can blunt cortisol responses to stress via the HPA axis - while transparently noting mixed human results, including a trial where chronic psychological stress was NOT ameliorated by EPA alone. Included deliberately to model BHERI's honest, applied-research approach to evidence.
Read the StudyOmega-3 PUFAs and the Gut-Brain Axis in Depression: Immune Resolution and HPA Modulation
Synthesizes how EPA and DHA may exert effects through the gut-brain axis - shaping microbiota, reducing intestinal permeability and immune activation, and modulating HPA-axis stress signaling. Notes individuals with mood disorders often show reduced EPA/DHA membrane levels. Presented as mechanism and active inquiry, not settled cure.
Read the StudyNeuroinflammation in PTSD: Cytokines, the Blood-Brain Barrier, and Microglial Activation
Documents that PTSD patients show elevated IL-1B, IL-6, TNF-a, and C-reactive protein, and that circulating cytokines cross a weakened blood-brain barrier to activate microglia - a neuroinflammatory loop damaging emotion-processing circuits. Much of the impetus comes from studies in US veterans, BHERI's core population.
Read the StudyCrosstalk Between Inflammatory and Neural Signaling in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Links psychological trauma to the same neuroinflammatory machinery as physical brain injury: disruption of the HPA axis alongside elevated proinflammatory cytokines and COX-2 metabolites worsens PTSD. Supports BHERI's view that trauma - physical or psychological - converges on neuroinflammation that the omega-3 protocol is designed to address.
Read the StudyLuminal Bioavailability of Orally Administered Omega-3 PUFAs in the Distal Small Intestine
A human study measuring the intestinal bioavailability of 4g/day EPA+DHA over 28 days and its effect on the gut microbiome. Adds direct human absorption data underpinning BHERI's dosing and gut-health-aware protocol design.
Read the StudyPolyphenol Microbial Metabolites Exhibit Gut and Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Protect Microglia Against Inflammation
Shows that polyphenol microbial metabolites cross both the gut and blood-brain barriers more readily than their parent compounds and protect brain microglia against inflammation. Provides the scientific basis for BHERI's pairing of polyphenols with the omega-3 protocol to aid blood-brain-barrier delivery.
Read the StudyAssociations Among Dietary Omega-3 PUFAs, the Gut Microbiota, and Intestinal Immunity
Demonstrates that the gut microbiota modulates the absorption and metabolism of omega-3 PUFAs, and that omega-3 intake improves the microbiome by increasing beneficial bacteria. Supports BHERI's view that gut health is a determinant of how effectively the omega-3 protocol is absorbed and utilized.
Read the StudyMolecular Mechanisms Linking Omega-3 Fatty Acids and the Gut-Brain Axis
Explains how EPA and DHA preserve the integrity of both the intestinal and blood-brain barriers, modulate inflammation by reducing proinflammatory cytokines, and regulate the HPA axis by reducing excessive cortisol. Provides the mechanistic foundation for BHERI's emphasis on gut health in protocol absorption.
Read the StudyOmega-3 Fatty Acids and Traumatic Neurological Injury: From Neuroprotection to Neuroplasticity
Reviews evidence that omega-3 PUFA intervention is a promising approach for acute traumatic CNS injury, with neuroprotection magnitude comparable to other agents with good translational profiles. Extends the rationale from protection to active neuroplasticity and repair.
Read the StudyHigh-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Sport-Related Concussions
A clinical trial evaluating whether high-dose omega-3 supplementation improves recoverability in athletes who have sustained a concussion, with the explicit aim of reducing recovery time and potentially the incidence of post-concussion syndrome - directly aligned with BHERI's Acute Concussion Care program.
Read the StudyOPTIMA-TBI: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Omega-3 in TBI
An active randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial testing 6g/day of DHA+EPA for one month followed by 1.2g/day - a high-dose protocol resembling BHERI's saturation approach. Measures biomarkers of neuronal injury, inflammation, and neurogenesis. Represents the rigorous trial work now validating the approach BHERI has applied clinically.
Read the StudyOmega-3 Fatty Acids as a Putative Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury (Review)
A comprehensive review concluding that DHA and EPA have the most promising laboratory evidence for neuro-restorative capacity in TBI, with both animal and human studies suggesting benefit. Honestly notes the field still requires large clinical trials - consistent with BHERI's applied-research posture.
Read the StudyUse of Omega-3s in Traumatic Brain Injury
A review by Dr. Lewis summarizing the case for omega-3 fatty acids in TBI, noting that clinical research has not identified a single effective treatment strategy for TBI when a combined approach to neuroprotection, neuroinflammation, and neuroregeneration is needed - an approach omega-3s uniquely offer. Also addresses the unfounded bleeding-risk concern.
Read the StudyTherapeutic Use of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Severe Head Trauma
Dr. Lewis and colleagues document the therapeutic application of high-dose omega-3 fatty acids in severe head trauma, drawing on the principle that the injured brain requires the omega-3 building blocks it is made of in order to repair. Part of the published basis for BHERI's protocol.
Read the StudyNeuroprotection for the Warrior: Dietary Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids
A foundational paper by BHERI founder Dr. Michael Lewis and neurosurgeon Dr. Julian Bailes making the case for omega-3 supplementation as neuroprotection for service members at risk of traumatic brain injury. Establishes the rationale that DHA and EPA, as primary structural components of brain tissue, support resilience to and recovery from neurotrauma.
Read the Study