What is fish oil?
Fish oil is a common term used to refer to two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These omega-3 fats are usually found in fish, animal products, and phytoplankton.
The fatty acids EPA and DHA are involved in regulating various biological processes such as the inflammatory response, various metabolic signaling pathways, and brain function.[1] They can be synthesized in the body from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), but in small amounts for most people.
What are fish oil's main benefits?
Fish oil causes a potent reduction in triglyceride levels,[2]and a more modest reduction in blood pressure in hypertensives.[3]
It appears to notably improve mood in people with major depression, though it's unclear if it has an effect in people with minor depression.[4] EPA, in particular, seems to be the most effective omega-3 fatty acid for this purpose which suggests that the effects of fish oil are due to reducing neuroinflammation. Its anti-inflammatory benefits also seem to extend to reducing the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus.[5] However, its benefits shouldn't be assumed to extend to inflammatory diseases in general.
References
1. Burhani MD, Rasenick MMFish oil and depression: The skinny on fatsJ Integr Neurosci.(2017)
2. Stark KD, Beblo S, Murthy M, Buda-Abela M, Janisse J, Rockett H, Whitty JE, Martier SS, Sokol RJ, Hannigan JH, Salem N JrComparison of bloodstream fatty acid composition from African-American women at gestation, delivery, and postpartumJ Lipid Res.(2005 Mar)
3. L Axelrod, J Camuso, E Williams, K Kleinman, E Briones, D SchoenfeldEffects of a Small Quantity of omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in NIDDM. A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind, Controlled StudyDiabetes Care.(1994 Jan)
4. Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H, He Q, Guo L, Subramaniapillai M, Fan B, Lu C, Mclntyer RSEfficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysisTransl Psychiatry.(2019 Aug 5)
5. Clark WF, Parbtani A, Naylor CD, Levinton CM, Muirhead N, Spanner E, Huff MW, Philbrick DJ, Holub BJFish oil in lupus nephritis: clinical findings and methodological implicationsKidney Int.(1993 Jul)
