What Is So Good About Fish Oil?

Fish oil is an increasingly popular supplement, in part because of its potential benefits for several different health conditions, and in part because it contains an essential nutrient that your body can't produce, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. As with any supplement, there are potential risks and benefits associated with consumption of fish oil, so it's wise to check with your health care provider before adding fish oil to your health care regimen.

Identification

Fish oil is found in the greatest concentration in fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. You get fish oil whenever you eat fatty fish, but you can also purchase fish oil supplements that contain standardized amounts. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids--essential fatty acids that are responsible for most of the oil's health benefits. If you're taking fish oil supplements, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends choosing your supplement based on its omega-3 fatty acid content rather than weight.

Considerations

While omega-3 fatty acids are most plentiful in fish oils, you can obtain omega-3 fatty acids from non-fish sources, including flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil and walnut oil, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your body doesn't always process these forms as efficiently as fish oil, but they may be a good solution for people who have fish allergies or are on vegetarian diets.

Benefits

Fish oil can have several benefits, according to research published in the journal "Arthritis Research and Therapy" in 2009. Large doses of fish oil are effective for treating inflammation caused by conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. Fish oil also has cardiovascular benefits, including improving good cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of certain types of cardiovascular-related sudden death.

Expert Insight

Dr. Carl J. Lavie, a cardiac rehabilitation and prevention specialist at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, and lead author of a 2009 research review that confirmed fish oil's benefits for treating and preventing heart disease, recommends in an article in WomensHealth.gov that most people take 500 mg of fish oil a day. People at risk for heart disease because of family history or high blood pressure should increase intake to 800 to 1,000 mg a day. Lavie says you may need to combine a supplement with a fish-rich diet to get these amounts.

Warning

Fish oil can cause side effects, including bloating, gas, belching and diarrhea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consider switching to time-release fish oil capsules if you experience these problems. If you have diabetes, taking fish oil may increase your fasting blood sugar level,s so check with your health care provider before using fish oil supplements if you have diabetes. If you have a bleeding disorder, take blood thinning medication or bruise easily, use caution when taking fish oil since it can increase bleeding risk.