Should You Be Taking Fish Oil Pills?

May 02, 2011, By 11 comments

Should You Be Taking Fish Oil Pills?

Fish oil was first recognized as beneficial to human health when studies revealed that Eskimos traditionally have lower rates of heart disease. Their health advantage was traced to their diets, which are typically high in fish. A whole sector of the supplement market has taken up the promotion of fish oil as a method to extend the benefits of fish-centric diets to those who normally don't eat a lot of fish.

Claims made by fish oil activists suggest that the supplement is effective for managing everything from menstrual pain and depression to arthritis and blood pressure, but many of those claims are spurious. Scientific evidence points to improved heart health and supports claims that fish oil can help people avoid heart attacks and strokes—conditions that disproportionately affect men. Less substantial evidence supports the use of fish oil to decrease inflammation and to improve mental acuity.

Sources of Fish Oil

One of the best ways to get fish oil into the body is by eating oily fish. Some of the more common oily fish are sardines, herring and salmon. These options provide important Omega 3 nutrients, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Official recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA) say that at least two three-ounce servings of oily fish a week should be included in most diets to maintain cardiovascular health. Those who can manage this requirement will ordinarily not need to take additional fish oil supplements. Those who can't work that much fish into their diet will need to compensate by taking nutritional supplements that contain fish oil.

Forms of Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil supplements come in the form of traditional capsules, liquid formulations and tablets. There seems to be no consensus as to which delivery method is best, so going by personal preference is probably the best way to choose. For example, some people who have trouble swallowing pills will probably want to try using fish oil supplements in a liquid form.

NEXT: Fish Oil Doses

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Comments (11):

John M. what about coconut oil? whats your take on using it for dementia? joint lub,ect.... - 08/07/2011
David S. Omega 3 from flax oil has the same health effects as fish oil without depleting menhaden. - 06/11/2011
Jo Y. Fish oil does help. My cardiologist had me start taking it and both my triglycerides and A1C are lower. The only thing that is different is the fish oil, so it has to be that. - 06/05/2011
Clem D. Main problem with fish oil pills is that they oxidize fairly quickly and once they do their benefits are erased. They say you should bite into one pill at least once a month. If it tastes rotten or bitter it means your bottle has gone off and will no longer provide any benefits. Another problem is you can't always tell when buying a bottle how long it's been sitting on the shelf or if it's still good. - 06/04/2011
Michael W. I take fish oil 3 times a day . is that good for me?? - 05/31/2011
Al F. This whole thing sounds fishy - 05/29/2011
Jerry M. The sea is gradually getting contaminated with everything we dump down our drains. We treat oceans as cesspools. Now Japan is nicely adding large amounts of radioactive materials which are transported by food chain and migrating animals. Maybe fish oil capsules will become the last thing we want to consume. - 05/27/2011
David B. Check out, "Norway to raise German sub leaking mercury" (How much you ask?...well the nazi sub sank in 1945 part of its cargo, 67 TONS of mercury...of which experts say only a couple of pounds has leaked out each year since!) A lot of fish oil comes from Norway, mine did. Maybe fish oil from other places might be a better choice. David. - 05/15/2011
James C. Nice summary ... Although benefits have likely been exaggerated in media reports (due to confusing association with causation), fish oil has also proven helpful for dry eyes, in addition to heart benefits, possible stroke prevention, & certain autoimmune conditions (some mentioned in article). May be helpful for vascular system (& endothelial cells) & may prove helpful in prevention of dementia / alzheimer's (although it doesn't apparently offer benefit to treat existing alzheimer's). - 05/14/2011
Steve T. This article is almost as bad as a Ms Clio prediction on the future. You saw fish oil in the past "possibly" doing good things. You "might" see fish oil doing good in the future. You will face a difficult decision regarding fish oil after reading this. Waste of 30 seconds of my life. - 05/14/2011
Dan T. So... should I be taking fish oil pills or not? This "article" doesn't say, it only presents points and counterpoints. - 05/13/2011

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