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Fish Oil Supplementation & Recommendations

Cold water fish such as salmon, herring and anchovies are a rich source of health promoting omega-3 fatty acids. For anyone not fond of fish, supplementing with fish oil is an easy and convenient way to get the same benefits.

  1. Health Benefits

    • Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish oil protect the heart, lower bad cholesterol, ease depression, promote luminous skin, and help increase memory function. However, the greatest benefit of fish oil may be its ability to reduce inflammation, a precursor to a host of medical concerns including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, which are often difficult to treat.

    Fatty Acid Ratio

    • In "What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You," Dr. Ray Strand advises reducing inflammation with supplements of fish oil rich in omega-3 fats while restricting dietary saturated fats. Saturated fats are often comprised of omega-6 fatty acids and a leading cause of inflammation. Aim for no more than a 2:1 ratio of omega-6 fats to omega-3 fats. Omega-6 fats are found in salad dressings, bakery goods and many prepackaged foods.

    Dosing Guidelines

    • Begin a regimen by taking 3,000 milligrams (mg) of fish oil per day with a meal. Inflammatory conditions require as much as 10,000 mg per day.

    Synthetic Fish Oil

    • The Natural News Network advises skipping high-priced prescription synthetic fish oil for lowering moderately high triglyceride levels since it also raises LDL cholesterol levels. However, the benefits may outweigh the risks for persons with triglyceride levels over 500 mg/dl.

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