Fish oil supplements or 2 servings of fish?
Published: August 11, 2017
Salmon is a source of EPA and DHA
Fish oil supplements belong to an ever growing body of complementary and alternative medicine therapies the use of which has steadily risen over the past few decades.
The complementary and alternative medicine product, or nautral health product, market in the US draws in more than $30 billion per year with approximately $15 million from products such as omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
What is it about fish oil supplements that is so attractive?
Why is fish oil important to health?
For several decades it has been acknowledged that eating fish, particularly oily fish such as salmon, herrings and mackerel, may improve heart health and decrease your risk of heart disease.
There are several reasons for this association:
- Fish are leaner than meat and low in saturated fat (associated with increased risk of heart disease)
- Fish contain many vitamins and minerals necessary for health
- Fish, particularly oily fish, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which have been identified as being beneficial to health
Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids appears to be associated with:
- Lower blood levels of triglycerides (high levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease)
- Prevention of blood clots
- Reduced risk of sudden death associated with cardiovascular disease
- Prevention of irregular heart beat
- Lower blood pressure (high blood pressure increases your risk of stroke and heart disease)
- Protection against macular degeneration
Fatty fish are particularly rich...click here to link to the full article.
References
1.
Dangour et al. Effect of 2-y n23 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on cognitive function in older people: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.Am J Clin Nutr 2010;91:1725–32.
2.
Quinn et al. Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer Disease A Randomized Trial. JAMA, 2010; 304:17
3.
Freeman et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder associated with the menopausal transition: a preliminary open trial. Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society 18, 3, 279/284
4.
Lucas et al. Effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hot flashes and quality of life among middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society 16, 2, 357/366
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Whitney, E. & Rady Rolfes, S. (2005). Understanding Nutrition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth
6.
Gropper, S.S., Smith, J.L. & Groff, J.L. (2005). Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism (4thEd.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.