Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil) and nerve damage

Omega-3 fatty acids (most abundantly found in fish oil) may relieve migraine headaches but only one small study found this to be the case. However, there is mounting evidence for beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids for various conditions, such as strokes, heart disease, dementia, and other. A just published study in the journal BMC Cancer shows that omega-3 fatty acids prevent nerve damage caused by a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer. Paclitaxel (Taxol) caused peripheral neuropathy in 60% of women who received placebo and in only 30% of those who were given omega-3 fatty acids (640 mg three times a day). Using this safe and natural supplement may allow many more women receive this life-saving chemotherapy without causing crippling side effects. Considering all of the positive studies of fish oil for a variety of neurological and other conditions and, considering its safety and low cost, it is reasonable to try this supplement for the prevention of migraine headaches despite the lack of definitive studies.