Fish Oil: a Must-Have or Health Hazard?
For the last few decades, study after study has touted the health benefits of fish oil. It is now familiar enough to Americans to warrant over $1 billion of over-the-counter sales. A recent subscriber survey by ConsumerLab.com suggests it surpasses multivitamins as the most popular dietary supplement in the U.S. Whether you started taking fish oil during pregnancy, after diagnosis of a heart problem or after watching Dr. Oz tout it as one of the 5 critical vitamins a woman should take, you are not alone. Fish oil is a trendy supplement, but how beneficial is it to your health?
You just want me for my Omega-3s
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are the reason most people take fish oil. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are essential nutrients for health meaning the body does not produce them on its own. Omega-3s prevent blood clotting and has also been shown to reduce inflammation. There are three components of Omega-3’s: ALA, DHA, and EPA. ALA is found in plant sources such as raw walnuts, freshly ground flaxseed, dark green vegetables and other vegetable oils. DHA and EPA is found in fish oils such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel among others, as well as seaweed. Though in smaller amounts, EPA and DHA can also be found in organically raised free-range chicken and their eggs and grass-fed beef. All three types of Omega 3s are interrelated and one has not been shown to be more beneficial than the others. Though there is varying evidence on how efficiently the body does so, ALA from plant sources is converted into DHA and EPA as a normal bodily process.
Health Benefits
Omega 3s are best known for their support of a healthy heart. Although a recent Harvard study finds little benefits, according to the American Heart Association, Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of — or who have — cardiovascular disease. A cardiovascular-health specialist David Siscovick, an epidemiologist at the UW adds, "When it comes to omega-3 fatty acids, we know that some intake is better than none for cardiovascular health." Another health benefit found in research studies attributes fish oil supplementation to a reduction in breast cancer risk. WebMD lists possible positive effects of fish oil on high blood pressure, menstrual pain, ADHD, weight loss, depression and high cholesterol. And while DHA from fish oil supplements has increasingly shown it can decrease preterm labor, an Australian study has debunked the idea that pregnant women who take them will improve brain development in their unborn child, or stave off post-partum depression.
Eat Fish or Take Supplements?
What’s the best way to get Omega 3s in your diet? The American Heart Association says increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption through foods is preferable. Dr. Thomas Pfeffer, a vascular surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Los Angeles and the president of the L.A. chapter of the American Heart Assn says, “It's always better to get nutrients from whole foods.” However, FDA guidelines suggest avoiding certain fish, such as mackerel, swordfish or tilefish, because of high mercury levels. But is the issue of contamination remedied by taking supplements? Not so much. While fish sold to consumers is regulated by the FDA, neither the US Food and Drug Administration, nor the Environmental Protection Agency regulates the fish oil supplement industry. You can however use the Environmental Defense Fund’s comparative list of 75 companies’ fish oil supplements to find the best supplement for you.
Your thoughts…
Are you a fish eater, a fish oil pill popper or neither?
Comments
I take fish oil every other day. Living in the Chicago area we do not have vast choices in seafood. Primarily it's gulf shrimp (oil anyone?), seafood from the Pacific (which may be radioactive thanks to the fallout from the Fukushima nuclear power plants), and farm raised fish such as Tilapia (very rubbery in my opinion). Once a week I have Icelandic salmon but it's been frozen. The rest of time I eat a vegetarian diet.
I'm definitely a pill popper. Because i am a vegetarian and don't eat eggs or drink a lot of milk, i need to get my nutrients from elsewhere. My diet is not always balanced, but I eat healthy of the small variety there is to choose from. In the mornings with breakfast I drink calcium magnesium powder, vitamin B, vitamin A, Zinc, Activated Charcoal pills for anti oxidants and then Omega 3:6:9. I am always very energized after a while, and have sustained energy for the day. Pill popping works for me, because I am perfectly healthy!
Besides health considerations would anyone like to take into consideration the devestating effect that fishing is having on our environment and that we are now facing an unprecedented collapse of eco-systems in the oceans. When this happens it really won't matter where we got our omega 3s because there won't be an environment to support human life.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-rigg/ocean-report-highes t-leve_b_880174.html?ref=fb&src=sp#sb=1111087,b=facebook
For thousands of years people have survived quite well without supplements. Since we have started to take supplement our health has declined. Not because of the supplements but because of our polluted environments, toxins and the processed food we eat. If people want to be healthier they should start eating a healthy diet and stop eating processed junk.
I think the author was very wise to point out the lack of regulation on supplements. That subject needs to have an article devoted to it as well. However, I' have read that Sweden is very tightly regulated to get toxins out of fish oil supplements.
I love fish...seafood for that matter...but no one in my family does. So supplements it is! Of course I do not take three doses of two pills like they tell me to...that is just ridiculous! Two pills in the morning (except that I forgot today) with cranberry, multi-vit and fiber chews w/calcium and Vit D. I feel amazing! On the days that I forget...not so much. Even if it is a placebo effect...I DON'T CARE!
I like seafood but my family does not. I started taking cod liver oil capsules to help with arthritis pain and it has helped tremendously. If I skip it for four or five days, the pain in my hands returns. I'm definitely a pill popper.
Original Post by: cornejansenvanvurenI'm definitely a pill popper. Because i am a vegetarian and don't eat eggs or drink a lot of milk, i need to get my nutrients from elsewhere. My diet is not always balanced, but I eat healthy of the small variety there is to choose from. In the mornings with breakfast I drink calcium magnesium powder, vitamin B, vitamin A, Zinc, Activated Charcoal pills for anti oxidants and then Omega 3:6:9. I am always very energized after a while, and have sustained energy for the day. Pill popping works for me, because I am perfectly healthy!
You can probably eat less vitamins if you're doing the vegetarian thing at all well. "Small variety" doesn't seem to imply that, though. A and B are plentiful, at the least.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_A#Recommended_daily_int ake
I'm not sure why this article was written at this time since the question posed in the title is not answered in the narrative - after reading through it I see that the answer is that -- We Don't Know.
I take 2000mg/day of fish oil. I also eat fish at least once a week. I am trying to lower my cholesterol.
I've been thinking about this recently because I used to have a pain in my leg, as if someone whacked my shin with a 2 by 4. So I started taking fish oil caps with COQ10 and the pain went away! I'm vegetarian so don't consume much Omega 3. The combination cap was very expensive so I bought the COQ10 and the fish oil separately. Since retiring, I thought I'd take the COQ10 daily and the fish oil every 2 days. I still don't get the pain in my leg so I'm re-evaluating whether I need fish oil since obviously it was the COQ10 that I need, at least for my heart. 
Krill oil is a much more potent source of Omega 3s and also much less likely to contain toxins as krill are tiny shrimp at the bottom of the food chain. My doctor recommended krill oil over fish oil. I recommend looking into it!
I'm a fish eater, local , sustainably farmed, or caught......support local businesses and farms. Somebody in Sweden catches a fish, sends it to a processor who mechanically removes the oil, package it in plastic bottles, ship it thousands of miles by ship or air and then sell it to people who want to be healthier.......huh....go to your local fish monger, buy a fish, eat the fish....if you don't live near the ocean, buy farmed local fish.....or grass fed beef, or locally grown veggies that are high in omega-3's.
I am a fish eater, I love red sockey salmon, mackeral, herring and tuna and so I would rather eat them then pop a pill...what fun is there in taking a pill...but salmon, yummie
Fish oil is a blood thinner and can be harmful to those who bleed easily. Even if I take a very small dosage, I end up with a subconjunctival hemorrhage in my eye. So, I am a fish eater. I don't have any of the excess bleeding problems when I eat fish. I think people should be cautious when taking any kind of supplements. I am not a pill popper at all.
Both. I take Omega 3 every day and usually eat fish twice a week. I have Atrial Fibrilation and take 2 low dose aspirin every day as a blood thinner and the blood thinning aspect of the supplement is beneficial for me. Better than coumadin my doctor wanted me on. I also have diverticulosis and find the oil helps move things along, so to speak. My recommendation is do what's best for you.
Just finished my flaxseed meal and Chobani yogurt breakfast! I don't like taking pills and don't like fish so flaxseed is my soultion.
Original Post by: rumispriteKrill oil is a much more potent source of Omega 3s and also much less likely to contain toxins as krill are tiny shrimp at the bottom of the food chain. My doctor recommended krill oil over fish oil. I recommend looking into it!
My doctor recommended the exact opposite! I was taking MegaRed and she told me to stop and switch to plain fish oil!
Both for me too. My bloodwork showed a very high level for CRP - cardiac reactive protein. Its an inflammatory marker that indicates a higher risk of cardiac problems. The level is supposed to be .8 or lower, and mine was 8.0. In fact all my inflammatory markers were elevated, due to autoimmune disorder. I started taking just one fish oil capsule daily - 1000 mg - and in six months my next labwork showed a CRP of .5. I also find it helps considerable with joint pain.
I don't take any dietary supplements, I eat whole foods fish included. I try (not always successfully) to eat a balanced diet...
I def prefer to get my nutrients from food but it's not always possible so I take flaxseed oil. It helps me out big time.
Original Post by: lnmariehJust finished my flaxseed meal and Chobani yogurt breakfast! I don't like taking pills and don't like fish so flaxseed is my soultion.
Why is flaxseed always left out?? Flaxseed is SOO healthy, and yet in articles like this, about omega-3's, it's left out.
I personally don't take the supplement and don't purposelly add foods to my diet to make sure it get it. I eat as healthy as I can and I feel fine.
Myself and my wife have been taking refrigerated flax oil for some time and have noticed positive benefits.
Here is an article you might find interesting, followed up with some research data about the benefits of flax oil www.youngagain.org/f4.html
Have a day of your choice!
I usually prefer food over supplements for everything, but I do take fish oil regularly. I've found that the fish oil really helps decrease my arthritis pain. I used to be in pain every day, now I hardly notice that I have arthritis. For some reason, I do not do well with flax oil, I started by trying that. Flax gives me terrible heartburn. I do prefer going with plant based ingredients over the potential problems of ocean-stripping, contaminated products. I agree with the post above that Sweden does have greater control over the production of their fish oil products and my nutritionist recommends getting fish oil from nordic sources.
I take Omega 3 every day as do my kids. My son has ADHD and after he started taking it, I noticed a big difference in his attention and grades. One doctor wanted him on prescription pills that would have made him lose weight, he is already thin, as I was when I was a kid. I was not comfortable giving him that kind of a drug and worried it would cause him to be more of a zombie so I tried that Omega 3 and it helps alot. I know that I could get more fish in our diet but it is hard with picky kids.
I've been taking a combination of flax, fish, and borax oils for about 2 years now (Super Omega's 3,6, and 9 so it's called). Long story short, it has decreased my cholesterol numbers and joint inflammation by 70%. I'll take and all natural supplement over prescription medications any day!
neither. Fish oil is a processed food. Nothing more. You can get omega 3's from flax seeds, in their natural state, which is better for the body anyway. Everything else is just marketing.
I have had the efficacy of fish oil measured by my doctor. He took a number of tests and looked at one for cell capacitance. He could tell by my high score that I took Omega 3's. People do not have cell membranes that healthy without taking omega 3 suppliments.
We started a strict diet that took me off ALL my supplements and I have seen a substantial weekly drop in this test result.
I am an absolute believer in Omega 3's . Does not have to be expensive - but need to take alot of it a day - I take 6 capsules. I use the buy one get one free brand from CVS.
I try to get fresh fish imported as much as I can, but I do take omega3 supplement in case along with a multivitamin. I love salmon the most as I eat it with quinoa after working out. I will try the flax seed I didn't know that@trsidn
@lls404 http://www.fishex.com/ is a good place to go and use code 4252350 at the end of the order if you do decide to buy, you will get free crab bisque with the purchase.
Borage oil is fantastic - as is Hemp Seed oil - fabulously rick in essential fatty acids and proteins, with a pleasant nutty smell. Try Pumpkin Seed Oil - one of the most nutritious oils available, containing omega 3 and omega 6, vitamins A,C,E, and zinc, with a pleasant, mildly rich aroma and flavor. Other oils, as well, are vastly superior in nutrition and sustainability to mass produced fish oils.
is one supplier. Local for me - but other sources on the internet -
I am a super-clotter (it caused big big problems when I was pregnant) and I have elevated cholesterol, so it's Omega-3s for me, through salmon, spinach, nuts and a supplement when I remember to take it.
I don't think eating fish oil is all that new. I remember from little rascal reruns they had to have cod liver oil. So come to think of it suppliments are not new either. It is just more people are aware of them then ever before.
My doctor is having me take a very high quality fish oil. It has brought down my bad cholesterol quite a few points. Expensive, but worth it if it makes my heart healthier.
I have been taking Omega 3 supplements ever since I found out that it also has some antiflammatory properties as well. (I have some inflammatory issues in my back.)
They have been quite effective in reducing inflammation for me and in MY case that also equates to less pain.
How interesting that the very things fish oil are supposed to protect against-heart disease, high cholesterol, breast cancer, obesity, etc. are the very conditions brought on by eating animal products---and fish oil is an animal product!!!
Walnuts, flaxseed oil, sea vegetables-there are many ways to get omega 3 fatty acids in a healthy way.
Wise up-meat and dairy products cause inflammation! Eating this way, then taking more animal products to medicate the problem caused by your own eating! CRAZY!!!!
Original Post by: mosespostOriginal Post by: cornejansenvanvurenI'm definitely a pill popper. Because i am a vegetarian and don't eat eggs or drink a lot of milk, i need to get my nutrients from elsewhere. My diet is not always balanced, but I eat healthy of the small variety there is to choose from. In the mornings with breakfast I drink calcium magnesium powder, vitamin B, vitamin A, Zinc, Activated Charcoal pills for anti oxidants and then Omega 3:6:9. I am always very energized after a while, and have sustained energy for the day. Pill popping works for me, because I am perfectly healthy!
You can probably eat less vitamins if you're doing the vegetarian thing at all well. "Small variety" doesn't seem to imply that, though. A and B are plentiful, at the least.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_A#Recommended_daily_int ake
I agree. I'm eating ova-vegetarian (I avoid eggs in products, though, and eat the actual egg...also no honey). According to CC, I'm getting all of my nutrients except iron, since vegan sources can only be non-heme and we need more non-heme since it's less available than heme meaning I need more than recommended, and potassium, but I highly disagree with CC's required levels. Nutritional yeast and mushrooms are sources of B.
Original Post by: meredithwHow interesting that the very things fish oil are supposed to protect against-heart disease, high cholesterol, breast cancer, obesity, etc. are the very conditions brought on by eating animal products---and fish oil is an animal product!!!
Walnuts, flaxseed oil, sea vegetables-there are many ways to get omega 3 fatty acids in a healthy way.
Wise up-meat and dairy products cause inflammation! Eating this way, then taking more animal products to medicate the problem caused by your own eating! CRAZY!!!!
Do you have any research that supports your thoughts on meat=inflammation?
Environmental Defense Fund? Really? You send us to their website and expect us to rely on "data" provided by whacko environmentalist "scientists"? I'm out of here - consider me disassociated with "Calorie Count"...
My wife takes fish oil pills as her doctor recommends. My doctors haven't "prescribed" them despite my heart attack 6 months ago, but they would like all their patients to eat more fish. I keep thinking I need to create a recipe for a three bean salad with tuna/salmon that would do both O3 and fiber, something I could have most days.
I love fish oil capsules...I am not a big fish eater because I really don't like the taste...it has to be prepared so you cannot taste the fish at all. I know the pills are beneficial though because the two times I have run out I have been able to tell within two days that it's affecting me. I get grumpy and tired!
Geeze - the question is do you eat fish or take pills. All the superfluous blather does not address the question. My answer - eat capsules as I am not a huge fish lover.
Have flaxseed every morning with my breakfast - forgot about the omega 3 benefits! Thanks for the reminder!!
Original Post by: agilliesOriginal Post by: meredithwHow interesting that the very things fish oil are supposed to protect against-heart disease, high cholesterol, breast cancer, obesity, etc. are the very conditions brought on by eating animal products---and fish oil is an animal product!!!
Walnuts, flaxseed oil, sea vegetables-there are many ways to get omega 3 fatty acids in a healthy way.
Wise up-meat and dairy products cause inflammation! Eating this way, then taking more animal products to medicate the problem caused by your own eating! CRAZY!!!!
Do you have any research that supports your thoughts on meat=inflammation?
I don't have anything at the stroke of a button, but meat is acidic in the body. Acidity in the body can cause inflammation or worsen inflammation. Also, people with gout are told to not eat meat.
The side effects of allergy medications keep some people from using them. Natural remedies can be a great alternative, but some are more effective than others.
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Fish oil is a trendy supplement,and beneficial is to health.
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Mary
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