Loma Linda University researchers will publish new findings in the journal Neuroscience. The NIH-funded study showed that chronic pain following spinal cord injury may be reduced by consuming a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
One hundred and forty-one media outlets have reported the findings. The study can be viewed online at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452213007835.
The study’s authors are Johnny D. Figueroa, PhD, postdoctoral research specialist, Center For Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine and the department of anatomy and human pathology; Kathia Cordero, MD/PhD student, School of Medicine; Miguel Serrano-Illan, PhD student, School of Medicine; Audra Almeyda, MD student, School of Medicine; Keisha Baldeosingh, MD, Center For Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine; Frankis G. Almaguel, MD/PhD, Center For Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine and radiology resident; and Marino De Leon, PhD, professor of physiology, department of basic sciences, and director of the Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, where the research was conducted.
“Chronic neuropathic pain is a serious condition affecting millions of people with type 2 diabetes and spinal cord injury. A key finding of this research is the identification of new promising targets for the development of new therapies,” says Dr. De Leon, senior author and head of the study.
The study found that the pain threshold of rats with spinal cord injury increased as a result of a diet containing omega-3 fatty acids.
“One of the main complaints of patients after a spinal cord injury is pain,” says Dr. Figueroa, the study’s first author.
“We are looking at strategies to reduce the pain, and we are finding that diet can play an important role in pain management,” he adds.
The study had rats with spinal cord injury fed with control chow and chow enriched with omega-3 fatty acids for a total of 16 weeks. The pain tests conducted on the animals showed that the group consuming the omega-3 fatty acids enriched diet exhibited significantly less pain.
Dr. De Leon says that “while clinical studies are needed to establish a functional human equivalent for a diet rich in omega-3 acids, there are plenty of benefits in implementing a diet rich in omega-3 because of its anti-inflammatory and protective properties.” He said people can experience these benefits by consuming two servings of fish, preferably salmon, per week; walnuts and flaxseed oil; or, if necessary, through over-the-counter supplements.