Continuous alcohol abuse leads to an increased risk of dementia and brain damage, as proven by several studies in the past. A breakthrough in latest research indicates that omega-3 fish oil might protect the individual from these alcohol-related health conditions.

Published by PLOS ONE journal, the study shows that fish oil protects the brain cells highly exposed to alcohol against neuronal cell death and inflammation.

"Fish oil has the potential of helping preserve brain integrity in chronic alcohol abusers," Dr. Michael Collins, one of the researchers of the study, says in a statement. "At the very least, it is unlikely that it would hurt them."

Study researchers made use of brain cells of an adult rat, which they exposed to high alcohol concentrations equivalent to around four times the legal driving limit and seen in chronic alcoholics. These brain cells were then compared with other cells exposed to the same alcohol amount and omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a fish oil compound.

The researchers discovered less neuroinflammation and neuronal death in brain cells of up to 90 percent to cells exposed to alcohol and DHA than those cells with alcohol exposure alone.

Pooling the results of around 75 studies, the researchers found in an earlier meta-analysis that “moderate social drinking may have the opposite effect of reducing the risk of dementia and/or cognitive impairment during aging.”

By moderate drinking, health experts mean a maximum of two drinks daily for men and one drink daily for women.

Their analysis suggests that limited alcohol amounts might help our brain cells to be healthier, as it stresses and toughens cells to handle major insults and stresses that could bring about dementia. Too much alcohol, on the other hand, overwhelms our cells and leads to cell death and neuroinflammation.

Collins, however, reminds that to protect the brain of an alcohol abuser, the best way still is to minimize alcohol intake to low or moderate or entirely quit the habit.

The researchers also say more studies are required to completely confirm that fish oil protects our brain from alcohol-related diseases such as dementia and cognitive injury among adults.

Study researchers include Dr. Edward Neafsey and colleagues or collaborators from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, University of Kentucky and National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.