Certain types of fat are beneficial for overall health. Fish oil contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary for cell membrane support and nerve function in your body. They might also be effective for decreasing C-reactive protein, a marker associated with inflammation. Consult your health care provider before taking any fish oil supplements.
C-reactive Protein
C-reactive protein is a protein found in your blood that measures inflammation in your body. Therefore, higher levels of C-reactive protein indicate higher levels of inflammation. Elevated inflammation can be a sign of several health conditions, including heart disease, lupus and pelvic inflammatory disease. C-reactive protein can be measured through a blood test, according to MayoClinic.com. Consuming fish oil might help lower C-reactive protein levels.
Fish Oil
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro studied the effects of fish oil on C-reactive protein levels in postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy. Healthy subjects were assigned to one of the following groups for five weeks: 14 g of safflower; 7 g of safflower and fish oil; or 14 g of fish oil. Scientists reported in the September 2003 issue of the "Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry" that those in the fish oil group experienced a significant decrease in C-reactive protein compared with those in the other groups.
Omega-3s
Similar results were found in another study reported in the March 2008 issue of "Hormone and Metabolic Research." Scientists at Kronos Longevity Research Institute discovered that healthy older adults adhering to a diet rich in omega-3s for eight weeks experienced decreases in C-reactive protein levels.
Side Effects and Interactions
Although fish oil may reduce C-reactive protein, keep in mind that it may cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and stomach upset. In addition, fish oil may interfere with certain medications, including blood thinning medications, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
References
- MayoClinic.com; C-reactive Protein Test; December 2009
- "Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry"; Dietary Fish Oil Decreases C-reactive Protein, Interleukin-6, and Triacylglyceroal to HDL-Cholesterol Ratio in Postmenopausal Women on HRT; I. Ciubotaru et al.; September 2003
- "Hormone and Metabolic Research"; High Omega-3 Fat Intake Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Reduces CRP and IL6, But Does Not Affect Other Endocrine Axes in Healthy Older Adults; P.D. Tsitouras et al.; March 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; 2011
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