EPA may reduce the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage: Omega 3 EPA may reduce its risks

Omega 3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) appears to protect against the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. In fact, its deficiency, as well as the low ratio of EPA to Arachidonic Acid, appears to be a risk factor for this type of stroke, along with already known ones such as high blood pressure.

This was stated by researchers at the University School of Medicine in Tokai, Japan, who published the results of their discovery in the journal Nutrition Research.

Brain hemorrhage and Omega-3

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke, which accounts for about 87% of all strokes, and hemorrhagic stroke caused by ruptured blood vessels in the brain and responsible for more than 30% of all stroke deaths. Intracerebral hemorrhage is the most common form of hemorrhagic stroke. It occurs when a blood vessel within the brain ruptures resulting in blood loss into the surrounding tissue. High blood pressure is the main cause of this phenomenon. Most brain hemorrhages are accompanied by the appearance of symptoms such as loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, facial numbness and headache. Omega-3 fatty acids including EPA appear to prevent ischemic stroke, as reported by some studies that attribute the preventive effect to EPA-induced antithrombotic action and reduced levels of Omega-6 arachidonic acid (AA). However, the relationship between intracranial hemorrhage and Omega-3 had not been fully elucidated until now. 

Low EPA concentrations promote stroke 

The study included 70 men and women whose first intracerebral hemorrhage had occurred within 30 to 60 days, and 66 subjects who had never had a stroke. Of each, EPA, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and AA levels were analyzed by blood tests. In addition, all had completed a questionnaire to provide information regarding fish and vegetable consumption, and lifestyle conducted. The results showed that the subjects diagnosed with 'intracerebral hemorrhage had significantly higher blood pressure than the others, and lower EPA levels and the ratio of EPA to AA. Further analysis of the data revealed that EPA deficiency was a risk factor for patients older than 65 years. The protective action of EPA could be due to the antihypertensive effect of the fatty acid on blood vessels and the fact that atherosclerotic plaques by incorporating EPA reduce inflammation by becoming more stable. So low levels of EPA would make blood vessels more fragile and more prone to rupture.

Poor EPA: a risk factor along with known ones

According to the researchers who directed the study, these results highlight that low EPA concentrations and a small ratio of EPA to AA may be risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage, in addition to already known ones such as blood pressure, alcohol consumption, and poor lifestyle.

Source: Yoshimori Ikeya, Naoto Fukuyama, Hidezo Mori "Low plasma eicosapentaenoic acid concentration as a possible risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage" Nutrition Research, March 2015 Volume 35, Issue 3, Pages 214-220