Author Archives: drlewis

A combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may boost the pigment in the retina and help people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says new data from Germany. Read full article.

With more than one million athletes now experiencing a concussion each year in the United States, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has released an evidence-based guideline for evaluating and managing athletes with concussion. This new guideline replaces the 1997 AAN guideline on the same topic. The new guideline is published in the March 18, 2013, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, was developed through an objective evidence-based review of the literature by a multidisciplinary committee of experts and has been endorsed by a broad range of athletic, medical and patient groups. Read full article.

Using MRI, researchers have detected linear hemorrhagic brain lesions suggestive of primary injury to the vasculature early after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), a finding that could have implications for acute treatment. Read full article.

Former NFL All-Pro running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, Brian Westbrook, 33, former Philadelphia Flyers captain Keith Primeau, five-time MLS All-Star Taylor Twellman, former NFL linebacker Jim Nelson, former Green Bay Packers VP Andrew Brandt and other head safety advocates took part in a panel discussion of the “Concussion Conundrum,” Friday at Villanova University. They hope to bring greater awareness to concussions and the lingering effects that ruin the quality of life. Read full article.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA—At the American College of Cardiology’s 62^nd Annual Scientific Session, researchers presented that in post-cardiac surgery patients, omega-3 fatty acids (PUFA) therapy significantly reduces the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Read full article.

TUESDAY, March 12 (HealthDay News) — Just one concussion can cause long-term structural damage to the brain, according to a new study. Read full article.

A team of academic researchers has pinpointed how vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids may enhance the immune system’s ability to clear the brain of amyloid plaques, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. In a small pilot study published in the Feb. 5 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, the scientists identified key genes and signaling networks regulated by vitamin D3 and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) that may help control inflammation and improve plaque clearance… Read full article.

As the National Football League continues to face scrutiny and litigation over concussions, new evidence shows that brain injuries may be a problem at the collegiate level too. According to a study published today in PLOS One, college football players who sustain hits to the head may experience long-term brain damage even if they aren’t concussed… Read full article.

Traumatic brain injuries sustained by more than 200,000 U.S. troops may be fueling the military’s suicide crisis, according to a letter co-signed by 53 congressional members who are seeking additional data to investigate the new theory. [Note: Really? This a new theory?] Read full article.

It may not seem surprising that a sport that involves gigantic men slamming into one another goes hand-in-hand with head injury. But in American football, the severity of the life-long consequences has gone under appreciated until recently. And there are other sports that should be concerned. Soccer players who head the ball could be injuring their brains, as well, according to a recent paper in PLoS ONE… Read full article.

As the number of omega-3 sources in the market increases, including fish, krill, squid, algae, and plant, suppliers are increasingly using the omega-3 form to differentiate their products. But where does the science currently stand, which questions remain, and is cost a factor?… Read full article.