Here’s How Fish Oil Benefits Your Health

It’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids, and according to studies, it may help with a range of medical conditions. Read on for more fish oil benefits.

Protects your heart

Studies show that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may help reduce several risk factors of heart disease. Fish oil is linked to lower levels of triglycerides (fats in the blood), and helps prevent or treat hardening of the arteries by slowing production of plaque or blood clots.

Studies also suggest that regularly consuming foods with omega-3 fatty acids may help protect against stroke. However, new evidence from an analysis of 14 clinical trials suggests fish oil might not benefit people who already suffered a heart attack or stroke.

“Our meta-analysis showed insufficient evidence of a secondary preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements against overall cardiovascular events among patients with a history of cardiovascular disease,” the study authors wrote. Keep in mind that fish oil pills can thin the blood, so check with a doctor or dietitian before taking them.

Lowers cholesterol

Research in the journal Nutrients says that fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids (the main component of fish oil) are one of the best foods to lower cholesterol. The omega-3s help reduce triglyceride levels (fats in the blood), which leads to higher HDL levels, or “good cholesterol.”

Fish oil supplements can do the trick, but eating fatty fish like salmon or even canned tuna two to three times a week can positively impact cholesterol, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Benefits your bones

Another one of the many fish oil benefits is that it may help your bones. According to a study in the British Journal of Nutrition, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil was found to have positive effects on bone health, especially when taken with calcium.

Studies showed that the fatty acids appeared to increase the amount of calcium the body absorbs. This promotes bone strength and growth.

Treat mental illness

We know that fatty acids are essential to healthy brain function, but study results on the effectiveness of fish oil supplements to treat a range of mental disorders are still preliminary, so always talk to your doctor before treating yourself. According to a 2011 study in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, a group of studies suggested that the omega-3s found in fish oil had a positive effect on people with primary depression.

Patients with bipolar disorder who took fish oil supplements, some in addition to regular medication and some by itself had fewer depressive episodes than those who took a placebo pill, per a 2016 study in Journal of Clinical Medicine. And, five of six double-blind trials in schizophrenia found omega-3s to have a therapeutic benefit, according to a study in the journal Drugs.

May help regulate diabetes

New research from Harvard School of Public Health found that the omega-3s in fish oil supplements increased levels of adiponectin in the bloodstream, a hormone that aids in glucose regulation. Researchers say that higher levels of adiponectin are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

May reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

Another one of the fish oil benefits is that it can help with joint pain. Studies suggest the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes painful inflammation of the joints.

A study found that taking fish oil supplements in conjunction with conventional RA therapies was associated with better remission rates, meaning omega-3s may be effective at relieving joint pain in the long term. What’s more, omega-3s may help control inflammation elsewhere in the body, such as the lungs.

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Pinterest
Reddit
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

READ NEXT

8 Foods to Eat When You Have a Cold

A common cold is an upper respiratory tract infection which is caused by different viruses. This cold is transmitted by infected airborne droplets or by direct contact with infected secretions.

How Blood Sugar Levels Affect Your Health

Understanding blood glucose level ranges can be a key part of diabetes self-management. When you have diabetes, your blood sugar (aka blood glucose) levels may be consistently high. Over time,

6 Reasons Why You’re Over-Sweating After 40

As we already know, sweating happens after making physical efforts, being stressed or standing in the heat – but why does it happen after 40 years old? Well, menopause can

5 Unexpected Benefits of Drinking Hot Water

Recent research revealed that drinking hot water on an empty stomach provides numerous health benefits. Lemon-infused water, for example, reduces free radicals and helps different organs function properly. Studies say

10 Things About Depression Only Psychologists Know

Depression is a mental illness characterized by frequent states of sadness, lack of appetite, feeling guilty all the time, and other symptoms like these. We debunk the myths and misinformation about

10 Vaccine Myths You Should Completely Ignore

Unfortunately, even when a large number of studies have found no evidence to support the argument that vaccines can cause autism and other chronic illnesses, many parents are simply refusing

15 Signs of Diabetes to Watch Out For

While diabetes is manageable, it can shorten your life considerably. It can also up your risk of things like blindness, heart attack, and even loss of a foot. Check out

These Factors Are Associated With Dementia Risk

Modifiable risk factors can be addressed through the means of early intervention to reduce chances of developing dementia during old age. By studying data from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS),

6 Subtle Signs You Could Have PTSD

When looking at the various ways people attempt to cope with exposure to one or a series of traumatic events, it’s important to recognize the ways that they may manifest,

Early Symptoms of a Heart Attack You Should Know

The sooner you get help for a heart attack, the better your chances for a complete recovery. Unfortunately, many people hesitate to get help, even if they suspect there’s something

Scroll to Top