Two different kinds of oils extracted from fish are commonly used as nutritional supplements, according to Arthritis Research UK. Fish liver oil is derived from the livers of cod, halibut or shark, while fish body oil is made from the body tissues of oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines. Fish body oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is usually simply labeled as fish oil. Consult a physician before using fish oil for medicinal purposes.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Fish Oil
Fatty fish is the most abundant natural dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, substances necessary for the normal growth and development of the brain, eyes and nerves. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced in the human body, so they must be obtained through the diet. Interest in omega-3 fatty acids was sparked when researchers discovered that cardiovascular disease was virtually unknown among the Inuit of Greenland, an indigenous tribe whose diet included large quantities of fatty fish. The American Heart Association now recommends that most people eat 2 servings of fatty fish weekly. However, for non-fish eaters, fish body oil is a good substitute.
Fish Body Oil and Cardiovascular Health
A significant amount of the research done on fish body oil has been in the area of cardiovascular health. According to the American Heart Association, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil help to reduce high triglycerides, a form of fat in the body that is associated with heart disease; lower blood pressure; reduces the accumulation of plaque in the arteries; and helps to prevent the abnormal heartbeats that are a frequent cause of sudden death.
Additional Health Benefits
The Mayo Clinic lists a number of health conditions that may be prevented or helped by fish body oil supplements. They include rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, Crohn's disease, diabetes, dementia, depression, lupus, psoriasis and schizophrenia. Because the evidence for fish oil is derived from small, preliminary clinical trials, much more research is necessary before it can be widely recommended for these health conditions.
Warnings
While fish oil is generally safe when taken according to package directions, it can occasionally cause gastrointestinal side effects that include excess gassiness, stomach ache and diarrhea. According to Arthritis Research UK, fish oil has anticoagulant properties that may interfere with the action of certain medications that inhibit blood clotting. Choose fish oil that is molecularly distilled, a manufacturing process designed to remove toxins and contaminants.
References
- American Heart Association: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Mayo Clinic: Omega-3 Fatty acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid: Evidence
- Arthritis Research UK: Fish Oil
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Fish and N-3 Fatty Acids for the Prevention of Fatal Coronary Heart Disease and Sudden Cardiac Death; D Mozaffarian; June 2008
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