A new study from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has raised fresh questions about the widespread use of fish oil supplements, suggesting they may hinder brain recovery after repeated mild traumatic brain injuries.

Published in the journal ‘Cell Reports,’ the study found that one omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) — may weaken the brain’s ability to repair damaged blood vessels after injury, potentially worsening long-term neurological outcomes.

The research was led by Onder Albayram, associate professor of neuroscience at MUSC. According to him, fish oil’s effects on the brain are more complex than widely assumed.

“Fish oil supplements are everywhere, and people take them for a range of reasons, often without a clear understanding of their long-term effects,” Albayram said.