5 Major Benefits of Fish Oil

Ever wondered about the benefits of adding fish oil supplements to your daily routine? Fish oil, found mainly in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, essential nutrients that hold promising benefits for your health. Keep reading to discover how these pills might support heart health, certain mental health conditions, eye health, reduce inflammation, and even promote healthier skin.

What are the key benefits of fish oil?

Understanding the advantages that fish oil supplements offer requires a close examination of its components, mainly the Omega-3 fatty acids, and their effect on your health. From cardiovascular health to mental health support, fish oil offers potential benefits that could be a valuable addition to your daily health routine.

1. May support heart health

Heart disease currently reigns as the leading cause of death in the United States. However, studies show that regular consumption of fish, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, is linked to significantly lower rates of heart disease.

Fish oil supplements have shown potential in improving several risk factors associated with heart disease. For starters, fish oil slightly increases your body’s good cholesterol (HDL) levels while significantly decreasing triglyceride levels by over 30%. Despite its benefits in improving heart disease risk factors, it's essential to note that fish oil supplements have yet to show clear evidence of preventing heart attacks or strokes.

2. May help treat mental health conditions

The brain is nearly 60% fat, and a good chunk of that fat is Omega-3 fatty acids. Your brain needs these special fats to work properly.

Some studies suggest a correlation between lower omega-3 blood levels and certain mental health conditions. Supplementing your diet with fish oil may provide support for symptoms of some mental health disorders. Omega-3s could reduce the chances of psychotic disorders in those at risk.

High doses of fish oil may help alleviate some symptoms of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Still more research in this area due to the inconsistencies in current data.

3. May support eye health

Your eye health also relies on Omega-3 fats. Research suggests that people who don’t get enough Omega-3s are at greater risk of developing eye diseases.

Eye health starts to deteriorate with age, contributing to conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Eating fish is linked to a reduced risk of AMD, though the results from fish oil supplements are less clear. However, the results on the beneficial effects of fish oil supplements on eye health remain uncertain.

4. May reduce inflammation

Inflammation is like your body's natural way of fighting off infections and healing wounds. But when it sticks around for too long, it can become a problem and lead to serious health issues like obesity, diabetes, depression, and heart disease.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, fish oil could potentially help manage chronic conditions related to chronic inflammation. Fish oil potentially reduces the production of inflammatory molecules called cytokines, especially in people living with obesity or stress.

5. May support healthy skin

Omega-3 fatty acids make up a large portion of your skin. That’s why maintaining a good supply of these essentials is crucial for your skin health, which tends to decline during old age or due to excessive sun exposure.

Fish oil supplements may provide benefits for several skin disorders, like psoriasis and dermatitis. By replenishing the Omega-3 fatty acids in your skin, these supplements might help your skin stay healthy and strong.

But that's not all – Omega-3s from fish oil may do a lot of good things for your overall health. Here's a table that shows you all the different ways fish oil could make you feel better and healthier. We've even included some research studies to back it up, so you can see how fish oil might be a valuable addition to your daily routine.

• Heart health: May decrease triglycerides
• Mental health: Potentially beneficial in the onset or symptoms of mental disorders
• Eye health: Consumption linked to reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Reduced inflammation: Suggested potential in treating conditions linked to chronic inflammation
• Skin health: May support the health of the skin, your body's largest organ

Advantages and disadvantages of consuming fish oil

Before including fish oil in your diet, it's crucial to weigh the potential pros and cons to make an informed decision that aligns with your health needs.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about fish oil.

Final thoughts

Adding fish oil to your daily health routine can bring many potential benefits to your health. It might help your heart, improve your mental well-being, support your eyes, reduce inflammation, and even make your skin healthier.

There are a lot of good things it can do! But it's important to think about everything when deciding if it's right for you.

Sources and references

• Global health estimates: Leading causes of death
• Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Depression: Scientific Evidence and Biological Mechanisms - PMC
• Trim the fat: the role of omega-3 fatty acids in psychopharmacology - PMC
• Fish Consumption and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Incidence: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Prospective Cohort Studies
• Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man
• Omega 3 Fatty Acid and Skin Diseases - PMC
• Effects of Fish-Oil Consumption on Psychological Function Outcomes in Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Dose–Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials - PMC
• Obesity and inflammation: the linking mechanism and the complications - PMC
• Effects of omega-3 supplementation on body weight and body fat mass: A systematic review