Fish oil is found primarily in fatty, cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, herring and mackerel. These fish provide about 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per 3.5 oz portion. Fish oil supplements are generally made from mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, cod liver and whale blubber. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil provide a variety of health benefits that have prompted further research.
Blood Pressure
Research indicates a high intake of fish oil reduces blood pressure in individuals with hypertension, a condition that affects more than 70 million Americans. According to a review of 90 randomized trials of fish oil published in the August 2002 issue of the "Journal of Hypertension," intake of a median dose of 3.7 g per day reduces systolic pressure, the maximum force exerted when the heart contracts, by 2.1 and diastolic pressure, the minimum pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest, by 1.6.
Stroke
Stroke is a cardiovascular disease that effects the arteries leading to the brain and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. According to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S National Library of Medicine, research suggests that consumption of fish one to two times per week appears to lower the risk of stroke up to 27 percent. Conversely, very high consumption of 46 g per week appears to increase the risk of stroke.
Immune Function
In a study published in the April 2007 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition," fish oil exerted positive immune-modulating effects. In healthy infants fed either cow's milk or formula with fish oil, between the ages of 9 and 12 months, fish oil exerted an effect on immune maturation markers, leading to faster immune maturation. This suggests that fish oil is beneficial to immune function, although exact health implications require further research.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes red, irritated skin, often with thick, flaky patches. According to a controlled, single-blind study published in the May 1992 issue of "Clinical and Experimental Dermatology," fish oil applied topically outperformed liquid paraffin, an oil commonly used medically to treat psoriasis.
References
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- "Journal of Hypertension"; Blood Pressure Response to Fish Oil Supplementation: Metaregression Analysis of Randomized Trials; J.M Geleijnse et al.; August 2002
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Fish Oil Supplementation Modulates Immune Function in Healthy Infants; CT Damsgaard et al.; April 2007
- "Clinical and Experimental Dermatology"; Topical Fish Oil in Psoriasis -- A Controlled and Blind Study; S.O Escobar et al.; May 1992
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