Are fish oil supplements as good as eating fish?

Answer 1

Fish or Supplements

Experts disagree here.

Most doctors and official sources say that fish oil supplements are not as good as eating fresh, oily fish.

As of 2006, the American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty like like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon) at least two times a week. This is a recommendation for everyone. But they do not recommend supplements unless you have a history of Heart disease and consult your physician.

In 2003, the UC Berkeley Wellness Center said, "We recommend fish, but not fish oil capsules, except for those with heart disease or auto-immune disorders."

Here is another interesting note from a BBC story on March 24, 2006. They reported that a British Medical Journal review of 89 earlier studies concluded that there is no definitive evidence that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids offers protection from heart disease, cancer or strokes. Nevertheless, "Dr Mike Knapton, director of prevention and care at the British Heart Foundation, said people should not stop consuming omega-3 fats or eating oily fish as a result of this study."

Another difference is in the quality of the oil itself. You might think that a higher quality of oil would come from the fish itself. This is not always the case. Many of the species of fish that produce the omega 3 fatty acids our human bodies need are also the species that are most affected by pollution. Mercury contamination is the most well-publicized of these pollutants but there are other toxic substances floating about in our oceans as well. When you eat fresh fish, you don't know how much of these toxic substances you are also ingesting.