Research Reports - Nutritional treatment for traumatic brain injury patients
J Neurosurg Sci. 2014 May 20
Curtis LT(1), Epstein PS
Proper nutrition is critical for recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Prompt enteral feeding of moderate to severe TBI patients has been associated
with significantly lower mortality and rates of infection. Probiotic
supplementation has been associated with significantly lower rates of infection
in TBI and other trauma patients. Human studies have suggested that
supplementation with omega 3 fats, vitamin D, NAcetylcysteine, branched chain
amino acids, and zinc may be helpful for recovery from TBI. Animal TBI models
have suggested that alphalipoic acid, magnesium, taurine, coenzyme Q10, and many
phytonutrients (such as resveratrol) are also helpful. Unfortunately, recent
human clinical trials with citicoline in TBI and stroke patients have produced
disappointing results. Much more research is needed on multifaceted nutritional
strategies to treat TBI patients in both the immediate postinjury phase and
throughout the patients lifespan.
