Is Fish Oil Really Effective?

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s) such as Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are commonly known to benefit health and can be obtained by eating fish or consuming fish oil supplements.

Since the past few years, we have been hearing quite a lot about fish oil. It is aggressively advertised by several companies as a wonder supplement and its sales have increased significantly in the past decade. But how effective is fish oil? How much of the so-called fish oil facts is a reality and how much is a myth or propaganda?

In this article, we have tried to talk about how effective fish oil is known to be in several disease conditions on the basis current level of research. To well inform the readers on the other side of the story, a contrary perspective to this is also discussed in a separate article.

Overall research on fish oil benefits is inconclusive or insufficient

As per the scientific community, the overall research on benefits of fish oil conducted across several decades, geographies, and patient types is considered inconclusive or insufficient. A single opinion is lacking among researchers, clinicians, and industry as it is largely based on individual research, clinical experience, personal beliefs, and commercial interests.

However, over the last decade, fish oil supplements are most commonly used for diseases of heart and blood system (cardiovascular diseases). It is also used in conditions of brain, eyes, bones, joints and muscles, lungs, immune system, cancer, and kidneys in varying degrees. Out of these, existing research suggests that fish oil is likely effective in certain disease conditions and may or may not benefit in several others.

The chart depicts how effective is fish oil in several diseases as per the amount and quality of available scientific evidence. It is based on the information developed by Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database, US. 

However, fish oil is known to be effective in cardiovascular conditions

In the US, there is a broad level consensus among key institutes such as National Institute of Health (NIH), American Heart Association (AHA), Mayo clinic, and Harvard medical school on benefits of fish oil in most of the below mentioned cardiovascular conditions such as:

  • Lowering very high triglyceride levels
  • Preventing clot and plaque formation
  • Slight reduction in blood pressure
  • Decreasing risk of abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias)

Experts at Harvard suggest going slow on fish and avoiding supplements in case of hard-to-control angina, severe heart failure, or an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

However, United States Food and Drug Administration so far has approved two pharmaceutical grade prescription supplements (Lovaza and Vascepa) only for very high triglyceride levels in adults (>500mg/dl). As depicted, this is the only condition wherein current research is known sufficient to prove that fish oil is effective.

AHA as well as European Society of Cardiology, recommends fish and fish oil supplements for certain cardiovascular diseases

AHA recommends eating fatty fish at least two times a week with each serving of about 3.5 oz. baked or grilled using low fat, low sodium seasonings such as spices, herbs and lemon juice. Omega-3s of fish oil are preferred to be consumed through foods than supplements. 

As per guidelines from European Society of Cardiology (ESC), two portions of fish per week with at least one being oily fish should be consumed and about 1 gm pharmaceutical grade supplement to be taken by those who cannot eat fish. Experts in the ESC think that eating fish is better due to vitamin D, selenium, and iodine in it and absence of final evidence that suggest benefits are due to omega-3s in fish.

The scientific acceptance and popularity of benefits of fish oil is more across several European countries than in the US, particularly in the case of cardiovascular diseases. Prescribing fish oil supplements to a patient on second day of a heart attack is a common event in some of the European countries and missing on it is considered a near malpractice. Doctors in the US appear to be less aggressive in prescribing it.

Fish oil would not benefit in type 2 diabetes, however in several diseases it may or may not prove to be effective in ongoing research

As evident from the chart, the existing level of research suggests that fish oil is most likely not effective in Type 2 diabetes.

Several medical associations and respective physicians in the US and Europe continue to recommend fish oil through fish or supplements for diseases of brain, eyes, bones, joints and muscles, lungs, immune system, cancer, and kidneys. However, in line with the chart, it may or may not finally prove to be beneficial in certain diseases across the ongoing research.

Out of many disease conditions that may be benefitted from fish oil, rheumatoid arthritis and protection from cyclosporine drug toxicity looks like two conditions with highest chances.  On the other hand, chest pain due to angina is one such cardiovascular condition wherein fish oil may not prove to be beneficial. 

It is widely accepted among researchers and clinicians that continued research will lead to a better consensus on how fish oil is effective in several disease conditions. Till then, weight of scientific evidence is more towards cardiovascular disease.

Less than required research in many other diseases to know if fish oil could be effective or not

There is limited research in certain brain and psychological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive function, depression, and schizophrenia. Other such key diseases include a atrial fibrillation, irregular heartbeat, cancer, chronic kidney disease, cataracts, Crohn’s disease, pre-diabetes, allergies and complications related to pregnancy.

More research in coming years could possibly let us know the extent to which fish oil is beneficial in these diseases.

Additionally, a critical viewpoint questions the need of omega-3s!

The scientific community across the world agrees that the effectiveness of fish oil is not conclusively proven so far. Results of various historical studies do not coincide and few latest studies continue to disapprove the originally believed effectiveness.

There are some fundamental questions such as overall need of the omega-3s, which are otherwise considered to be 'conditionally essential' for the human body. Further, observations on certain traditional diets and ethnic communities indicate that omega-3s such as EPA and DHA are not present in diets of several of these communities, which are considered to live longer and enjoy an overall good health. 

Key sources:

- Amit Khurana

Amit is a health enthusiast and believes in importance of 'what we eat' in maintaining it. He is an avid writer focusing on research based facts and opinions on food and nutrients. He likes to provide contrary perspectives to well inform his readers and continues to explore difference in beliefs on health and food  in eastern and western part of the world. Amit is an occupational therapist and has worked in clinical settings of rehabilitation. He has extensive experience in researching and writing on scientific and commercial aspects of diseases, treatment, diagnostics, devices, and services in healthcare.  


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