Fish oil, obtained either through natural sources of fatty fish or through supplements, contains omega-3 fatty acids. Although the body requires omega-3 fatty acids to function, it cannot produce them. The American Heart Association therefore stresses the importance of eating fatty fish at least twice a week or taking fish oil supplements to get the required amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
Dietary Fish Oil
Anytime you can get nutrients through a natural dietary source, the body benefits. Fatty fish, such as mackerel, tuna, salmon, herring, trout, anchovy and sardines, not only contain omega-3 fatty acids but also serve as a good source of protein without the added saturated fats of meat products. Fish also contains vitamins such as vitamins A and D and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. A 3.5-oz. serving of fatty fish provides approximately 1 g of the essential omega-3 fatty acids, according to MedlinePlus.
Fish Oil Supplements
If you do not like fish or fail to consume it in the recommended amounts, fish oil supplements can provide the needed omega-3 fatty acids. The supplements, usually made from cod liver, halibut, herring, mackerel, salmon, tuna and seal or whale blubber, may also contain vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C, D or E and minerals such as calcium or iron. To avoid health complications such as excessive bleeding, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends adults get no more than 3 g of their omega-3 fatty acids from capsules without the supervision of a doctor.
Essential Functions
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil prevent platelets--a type of blood cell--from clumping together. This helps control blood clotting. In addition, the body requires omega-3 fatty acids to build the membranes of cells in the brain.
Cardiovascular Benefits
In addition to the essential functions, omega-3 fatty acids provide cardiovascular benefits. If you have cardiovascular disease, such as coronary artery disease, fish oil may help prevent arrhythmia, a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can also help reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Since high levels of these fats in the blood contribute to the onset of atherosclerosis--hardening of the arteries due to the buildup of fats and minerals along the artery walls--taking fish oil to lower them reduces the risk of heart disease. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that taking fish oil supplements can help reduce blood pressure measurements by 2 to 5 mmHg.
Other Benefits
Consuming adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil provides other health benefits. Fish oil has been shown to reduce inflammation, which can help if you have a chronic inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil also boosts brain memory and performance and produces positive effects on behavior. If you suffer from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, you may experience improved thinking skills when taking fish oil supplements, according to MedlinePlus.
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