Are Fish Oil Supplements Worth Taking?

Brayden Willis

We all know that eating fish is good for the heart. It appears that omega-3 fatty acids are most responsible for the protection. Yes, fish is healthy food choice, but what about fish oil supplements? Some people dont have access to quality seafood, and some cant stomach the taste. Can these people enjoy the benefits of fish oils, without eating whole fish? At this time, there have been no major studies performed that compare dietary fish to fish oil supplements. However, fish oil supplements alone have been shown to improve health. Three fairly recent studies have shown benefits in inflammation, cholesterol, and heart function. Most people are getting plenty of omega-6 fatty acids in their diets. These fatty acids are abundant in many vegetable oils and dressings. It seems that a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is somewhat responsible for an in, the more active must be maintained in order to prevent inflammation. and the many diseases characterized by an inappropriate inflammatory response. This was the basis of Jodi McDaniel and her associates research at The Ohio State University (2010). The study was randomized, singled-blinded, and placebo-controlled. It involved 30 healthy young adults. Various fatty acids were quantified in plasma using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The omega6/omega3 ratio was the focus. The results showed that omega-3 supplementation was successful in lowering the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 in the plasma from 14:1 to 6:1 in just four weeks. This

showed that the body is able to adequately absorb the fatty acid in supplement form. Thus it can be seen, if there are any differences in the benefits observed from supplementation over whole fish, they are not resulting from a lack of absorption. Further studies need to be designed and carried out that include other factors of fish diets than fatty acids alone. Perhaps more studies could be done that have two experimental controls, one with dietary fish intake and the other with fish oil supplementation. Not only would one be able to identify which method delivers a higher portion of omega-3 fatty acid to the blood, but other factors could be examined. It seems that this very study could be expanded to look at the occurrence of inflammatory responses over time. Inflammatory markers could be quantified in the blood, or inflammatory disease or symptoms could be quantified. This would show if the ratio of fatty acids actually shows correlation with inflammatory response when altered by supplementation alone.

As far as blood cholesterol was

improved blood lipid profiles, decreased inflammation, and a variety of lesserknown benefits. importantly, omega-3 fatty acid supplements have been shown to lower plasma triglycerides and cholesterol (Laidlaw, et al., 2003). After observing a drop in these values among the experimental group, Laidlaw and her team were able to statistically estimate a 43 percent reduction in the 10-year risk of myocardial infarction. Omega-3 supplementation seems to positively impact the physical structure of the heart (Metcalf,

et al. 2007). Upon supplementation, two derivatives of omega-3 fatty acid, EPA and DHA became more involved in the cardiac phospholipids, thus preventing arrhythmias. It has also been observed that the inflammatory response is lessened by supplementation (Johnson, et al., 1997).

Critical Review Article 2 If the most significant benefit of the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is cardiovascular health, the second most is a decreased inflammation response. It has been proposed that an omega-6 and omega-3 ratio must be maintained in order to prevent inflammation, and the many diseases characterized by an inappropriate inflammatory response. This was the basis of Jodi McDaniel and her associates research at The Ohio State University (2010). The study was randomized, singled-blinded, and placebocontrolled. It involved 30 healthy young adults. Various fatty acids were quantified in plasma using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The omega-6/omega3 ratio was the focus. The results showed that omega-3 supplementation was successful in lowering the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 in the plasma from 14:1 to 6:1 in just four weeks. This showed that the body is able to adequately absorb the fatty acid in supplement form. Thus it can be seen, if there are any differences in the benefits observed from supplementation over whole fish, they are not resulting from a lack of absorption. Further studies need to be designed and carried out that include other factors of fish diets than fatty acids alone. Perhaps more studies could be done that have two experimental controls, one with dietary fish intake and the other with fish oil

supplementation. Not only would one be able to identify which method delivers a higher portion of omega-3 fatty acid to the blood, but other factors could be examined. It seems that this very study could be expanded to look at the occurrence of inflammatory responses over time. Inflammatory markers could be quantified in the blood, or inflammatory disease or symptoms could be quantified. This would show if the ratio of fatty acids actually shows correlation with inflammatory response when altered by supplementation alone.

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