Specialized pro-resolving mediators may be an exciting new tool to help remediate inflammation while improving underlying imbalances/infections/toxins.
In the functional model, chronic inflammation is underlying all chronic health conditions. At Nutrition for Seizures, I’ve found that an inflammatory response, often chronic, also coincides with seizure disorders. There has been much research about inflammation and seizures coinciding. So much so that if you search epilepsy and inflammation through Google Scholar, you’ll find a choice of 199,000 medical journals.
The quest in my field is to identify the underlying root causes that are driving inflammation. These may include: identifying food sensitivities, allergies or intolerances, toxins, infections, heavy metals, digestive issues, detoxification challenges, methylation challenges, nutritional deficiencies and more. Each individual person I work with, young or old, present with varying symptoms that may indicate one, a few or all of the above. In working on a bio-individual level I’m able to hone in on the unique sources of dysfunction. Yet, inflammation may continue to reign in many of these cases, as it takes time to undo infections, toxins, metals, etcetera. SPMs may help remediate some of this inflammation.
I’m excited about this recent research about specialized pro-resolving mediators, or SPMs that are a potent portion of the omega 3 fatty acid spectrum. It’s been researched that omega 3 fatty acids play a significant role in inflammation. It was supposed that a significant reason for this was to offset the omega 6 consumption in the typical American diet and restore balance. But now due to recent research it may have to do with these particular SPMs, 17-HDHA and 18-HEPE that naturally occur in the body, but may be slow in the conversion/production process in many chronic health conditions and with acute injuries. 17-HDHA is derived from DHA and 18-HEPE is derived from EPA. If you or your loved one are currently taking a fish oil, EPA and DHA are intrinsic in the dosing.
SPMs do not block the inflammatory phase, as this is critical in healing, but rather work by targeting the immune cells that mediate the inflammatory response. And equally important SPMs are generally safe without risky side effects (unless there is a fish allergy/sensitivity/intolerance) and work effectively at reducing inflammation. As always, consult with your physician or neurologist before introducing anything new.
Even more exciting, is that a few recent medical journals have been published identifying the need for further study with pro-resolving mediators with seizure disorders. In this journal referencing the use of mice, “n-3 Docosapentaenoic acid-derived protectin D1 promotes resolution of neuroinflammation and arrests epileptogenesis”, the mice experienced “Notably, the frequency of spontaneous seizures was drastically reduced by 2-fold on average and the average seizure duration was shortened by 40% after treatment discontinuation. As a result, the total time spent in seizures was reduced by 3-fold in mice treated with n-3 DPA-derived protectin D1. Taken together, the present findings demonstrate that epilepsy is characterized by an inadequate engagement of resolution pathways. Boosting endogenous resolution responses significantly improved disease outcomes, providing novel treatment avenues.” Again, this study was with mice and I’m looking forward to more insight with humans.
Specialized pro-resolving mediators are also being explored with other chronic health conditions including autism, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson’s and alzheimers. Stay tuned.
Bringing much light,
Lynn
