Consumption of fish oil
supplements is promoted as having a wide range of positive impacts on health.
supplements is promoted as having a wide range of positive impacts on health.
These are purported to include
lowering the risk of strokes, as well as diseases such as cancer and dementia.
lowering the risk of strokes, as well as diseases such as cancer and dementia.
But researchers at University of
Anglia (UEA) found taking daily supplements will likely have no significant
impact on a person’s health.
Anglia (UEA) found taking daily supplements will likely have no significant
impact on a person’s health.
The research relates specifically
to supplements, rather than omega-3 derived from eating fish, with experts
still suggesting the latter is good for the heart, as well as general health.
to supplements, rather than omega-3 derived from eating fish, with experts
still suggesting the latter is good for the heart, as well as general health.
More than 100,000 participants
were randomized to either consume more omega-3 fats in supplement form, or
maintain their usual intake, for at least a year.
were randomized to either consume more omega-3 fats in supplement form, or
maintain their usual intake, for at least a year.
Researchers found that if 1000
people took supplements for approximately four years, the actual effects on
their health, both positively and negatively, would be minimal at best.
people took supplements for approximately four years, the actual effects on
their health, both positively and negatively, would be minimal at best.
Omega-3 is a family of fats that
includes:
includes:
§ ALA
(alpha-linolenic acid) – which the body can’t make for itself but is found in
vegetable oils, brussels sprouts, nuts and seeds and is good source for those
on vegan diets
(alpha-linolenic acid) – which the body can’t make for itself but is found in
vegetable oils, brussels sprouts, nuts and seeds and is good source for those
on vegan diets
§ EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – which the body can
make from ALA but are also present in oily fish and fish oils, including cod
liver oil
(eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – which the body can
make from ALA but are also present in oily fish and fish oils, including cod
liver oil
§ They
are readily available as over-the-counter supplements.
are readily available as over-the-counter supplements.
The
global market for omega-3 supplements was estimated to be worth around $33bn
(£25.6bn) in 2018, according to the NHS.
global market for omega-3 supplements was estimated to be worth around $33bn
(£25.6bn) in 2018, according to the NHS.
Dr Lee Hooper, from UEA’s Norwich
Medical School, said that the study – funded by the World Health Organisation
(WHO) – adds to mounting evidence that omega-3 supplements are failing to offer
consumers the benefits they advertise.
Medical School, said that the study – funded by the World Health Organisation
(WHO) – adds to mounting evidence that omega-3 supplements are failing to offer
consumers the benefits they advertise.
“Our previous research has
shown that long-chain omega 3 supplements, including fish oils, do not protect
against conditions such as anxiety, depression, stroke, diabetes or
death,” he said.
shown that long-chain omega 3 supplements, including fish oils, do not protect
against conditions such as anxiety, depression, stroke, diabetes or
death,” he said.
“In fact, we found that they
may very slightly increase cancer risk, particularly for prostate cancer.”
may very slightly increase cancer risk, particularly for prostate cancer.”
More
than 80 studies in 2019 found no evidence that omega -3 offers health benefits to those with type 2 diabetes.
than 80 studies in 2019 found no evidence that omega -3 offers health benefits to those with type 2 diabetes.
Similar
studies have also suggested that supplements offers little to no protection against heart disease.
studies have also suggested that supplements offers little to no protection against heart disease.
With the harmful environmental
factors associated with over-fishing, Dr Hooper added that it seems
“unhelpful” for people to continue taking supplements that give”
little or no benefit”.
factors associated with over-fishing, Dr Hooper added that it seems
“unhelpful” for people to continue taking supplements that give”
little or no benefit”.
Dr Hooper added that the
environmental damage associated with decreasing fish stocks is not comparative
with the minimal health benefits associated with supplements.
environmental damage associated with decreasing fish stocks is not comparative
with the minimal health benefits associated with supplements.
The NHS says people should try to
eat two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily fish, such as
salmon, fresh tuna or mackerel, to get enough “good” fats. Some fish
contain small amounts of chemicals that may be harmful if eaten in large
amounts.
eat two portions of fish per week, one of which should be oily fish, such as
salmon, fresh tuna or mackerel, to get enough “good” fats. Some fish
contain small amounts of chemicals that may be harmful if eaten in large
amounts.
