Fish oil supplements are made from the essential omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon, tuna, halibut, mackerel, sturgeon, mullet, bluefish, anchovy, sardines, herring, trout and menhaden. According to Medline Plus, fish oil supplements are typically made from mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, salmon, cod liver, whale blubber or seal blubber.
Triglycerides
High triglycerides can contribute to other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Triglycerides are fat in the blood. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is strong scientific evidence that omega-3 fatty acids from dose-dependent fish oil supplements significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels. According to Medline Plus, a fish oil supplement called Lovaza, which contains both EPA and DHA, has been approved by the FDA to lower triglycerides.
Blood Pressure
According to the Mayo Clinic, several human clinical studies suggest that fish oil supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids have small to modest reductions in blood pressure in people with hypertension. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, an analysis of 17 clinical studies using fish oil supplements found that taking 3 g or more of fish oil daily may reduce blood pressure in people with untreated hypertension.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a number of small studies have found that fish oil helps reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis; however, more research is necessary. People taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, to help control symptoms may be able to reduce their dosage of pain medicine when taking fish oil supplements.
Depression
Fish oil supplements may improve symptoms of depression -- although more evidence is needed using larger, more well-designed trials. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, several studies have found that people who took omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to prescription antidepressants, had a greater improvement in symptoms than those who took the prescription antidepressants alone.
Menstrual Pain
Taking fish oil supplements may reduce the need for NSAIDS in women with menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea, especially when combined with vitamin B12. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 42 women in one study experienced less menstrual pain when they took fish oil supplements than those who took a placebo .
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