Fish Oil's Health Benefits

There is strong evidence that fish oils are beneficial for human health, especially with regard to the cardiovascular system. The health benefits of fish oil have been widely studied and now several major health organizations, including the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health, recommend their use. Fish oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and contains both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), according to the NIH. Regular consumption of DHA and EPA has been linked to a number of health benefits.

According to the NIH, several studies have confirmed that intake of omega-3 fatty acids can cause small reductions in overall blood pressure. This effect may be most common in people who already have high blood pressure. A study conducted by the Jewish Hospital Cholesterol Center found that participants with hypertension who took fish oil for 8 weeks lowered their diastolic blood pressure by 5.1 mm Hg.

Fish oil may also help reduce overall blood triglyceride levels, according to the NIH. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood, and like cholesterol, they can be detrimental at high levels. In the GISSI-Prevention Study, participants who consumed 850 mg of fish oil each day for 6 months reduced their total triglyceride levels by 4 percent. Researchers are still unclear why fish oil may lower triglycerides, but it is thought that omega-3 fatty acids may prompt the body to process triglycerides in the blood more rapidly.

The fatty acids in fish oil may help prevent heart disease, and reduce the risk of heart attack and sudden death in those already diagnosed with heart disease. The AHA has found that consuming between 0.5 and 1.8 g of DHA and EPA per day can reduce your risk of dying from heart disease, but even smaller amounts may be beneficial. In fact, a study conducted at the University of Washington found that consuming just 5.5 g of omega-3 fatty acids a month reduced the risk of heart attack in study participants by a whopping 50 percent. It's thought that the omega-3 fats in fish oil provide this protective benefits because they improve blood vessel function.

Fish oil may also be beneficial for arthritis sufferers. Regular consumption of fish oil has been shown to decrease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly morning joint stiffness and pain. According to the NIH, patients with rheumatoid arthritis who take fish oil may require less pain medication than those who do not include fish oil in their diet.

Don't be tempted to take large amounts of fish oil to achieve the health benefits described above. Large doses of fish oil may increase your risk for uncontrollable bleeding, and the AHA warns that adults should not consume more than 3 g of fish oil per day without doctor supervision. Mercury contamination may also be a concern with fish oil. The NIH recommends avoiding fish oil products that are made from swordfish, king mackerel or shark, as these species may contain high levels of mercury.