In the health functional food market, omega-3 has long been regarded as synonymous with brain health. As the perception spread that it clears blood vessels and enhances cognitive function, it has established itself as the top-ranked supplement people consistently take regardless of age. Recently, however, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina published findings that overturn this conventional wisdom. In situations involving repeated mild brain injuries, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a key omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil, may actually hinder recovery. The researchers explained that when EPA accumulates, cerebrovascular stability weakens and tissue regeneration signals are suppressed. The key point is that even within the same omega-3 family, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays a positive role as a core component of neuronal cell membranes, but EPA can act differently depending on an individual's health condition and metabolic environment.
These research findings sound a warning against the approach of "the more supplements, the better." This is also a point that Korean medicine has long emphasized. "Tonifying while also purging" (補瀉) is an expression that represents a core treatment principle of Korean medicine. It means that adding any ingredient unconditionally without reading the body's condition can actually break the balance. Indeed, even with the same medicinal herb, prescriptions differ depending on whether the condition is one of deficiency (虛證), where energy is lacking, or excess (實證), where energy is blocked. The conclusion that EPA acts differently in different people aligns with the traditional principle of Korean medicine that identifying an individual's condition should precede supplement intake.
Herbal prescriptions for brain health are utilized under this principle. Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine confirmed that Yukgongdan is involved in neuroprotective mechanisms and verified the possibility of brain protection through combination prescription, publishing the findings in the international journal Biology. In the study, Yukgongdan was shown to suppress the deformation of tau protein, a key cause of dementia. Yukgongdan is a combination prescription composed of 10 medicinal ingredients that combines Gongjindan and Yukmijihwangtang. Unlike supplements that rely on a single ingredient, combination prescriptions consider the balance of the entire body, making the very approach different.
In addition, research continues on individual medicinal herbs related to brain health, such as cheonma (Gastrodia elata) and seokchangpo (Acorus gramineus). Cheonma is an herb traditionally used for cerebrovascular protection and antioxidant action, and is known to help stabilize nervous system function. Seokchangpo has traditionally been used as an herb that clears the brain and supports memory. The options for managing brain health through Korean medicine are gradually expanding.
Whether taking supplements or herbal medicine, it is important to first understand the condition of one's own body. No matter how beneficial a supplement may be for brain health, its effects are hard to expect if one maintains a lifestyle of reduced sleep and unmanaged stress. Those interested in brain health should first check their sleep, blood pressure, and blood sugar management. Remember that knowing one's current condition before adding anything is the starting point of health management. Nutrients play their proper role only in a body where a good environment is in place.
