Fish oil contains healthy fatty acids and is available as pills or as a liquid. The oil may have benefits on the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, bones and joints. However, there is a potential for damage to the liver due to toxins that could be present in the oil. Before taking any new supplements, consult with your doctor.
Facts
Fish oil is a nutritional supplement that is isolated from the bodies of oily fish such as sardines, anchovies, salmon, trout and mackerel. Fish oil contains several healthy omega-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, that can reduce inflammation, according to the "Arthritis Research & Therapy" 2006 issue. The fish obtain the fatty acids from algae that they consume in their diet and don't directly synthesize them.
Benefits
Consuming fish oil has been associated with many benfits, such as slowing the progression of certain neurological diseases, promoting brain development of the fetus during pregnancy and protecting against certain types of cancer. Some of these claims have more research to back them up than others. For instance, the NIH states that fish oil is effective at reducing high levels of triglycerides in the blood and may protect against possible heart disease. Also, a study in the December 2010 issue of the "Journal of Pediatrics" states that breastfeeding mothers who take fish oil enhance the neurodevelopment of infants by protecting against inflammation.
Liver Damage
Some risks associated with the consumption of fish oil exist. Since the fish that the oil is produced from are at the top of the food chain, they accumulate toxic pollutants in the ocean. Fish oil that is not from a reputable source may be contaminated with toxins that can accumulate in the liver. In addition, consumption of fish oil has been thought to contribute to fatty liver syndrome. However, many reports, such as the one in the August 2010 issue of "Nutrition in Clinical Practice," dispute this claim, stating that fish oil does more good than harm to the liver.
Avoiding Side Effects
To avoid possible toxic effects on your liver, ensure that you are taking fish oil and not cod liver or shark liver oils. Fish oil is isolated from the whole bodies of fish rather than the liver, which concentrates toxins and pollutants in the environment. Even though fish oil has many benefits, ensure that you don't exceed the recommended daily dosage to avoid any side effects, such as heartburn, nausea, diarrhea or effects on the immune system, according to the NIH. The health benefits of fish oil outweigh the risks and should not be avoided.
References
- "Arthritis Research & Therapy"; Fish Oil: What the Prescriber Needs to Know; L.G. Cleland et al.; 2006
- Medline Plus: Fish Oil
- "Journal of Pediatrics"; Effects of Early Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Intake on Neuropsychological Status and Visual Acuity at Five Years of Age of Breast-fed Term Infants; C.L. Jensen et al.; December 2010
- "Nutrition in Clinical Practice"; Rapid Infusion of Fish Oil-based Emulsion in Infants Does not Appear to be Associated with Fat Overload Syndrome; K.M. Gura and M. Puder; August 2010
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