What Are the Benefits of Fish Oil for Women?

Fish oil is high in omega-3 and omega-6, important fatty acids in cellular, organ and cognitive development and health. Oily or fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, have higher concentrations of the omega fats than others, including tilapia and whitefish. Eating fish twice a week may be sufficient to gain the health benefits of these fatty acids. Fish oil, whether from eating fish or taking supplements, has particular benefits to women of all ages.

Mothers To-Be

• During pregnancy, the addition of fish oil aids in the healthy development of the fetus. The fatty acids go directly to the advancement of brain and organ growth. The fish oil also maintains the mother's health, as it helps to regulate blood circulation and prevent blood clots. After giving birth, mothers continue to pass on the benefits of fish oil through breast-feeding. Pregnant women should check with their doctors before starting a regimen of fish oil supplements, and avoid fish high in mercury, such as swordfish and tuna.

Middle-Aged Women

• During their 30s, women may begin to develop osteopenia, in which their bones begin to lose density. This may lead to osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and brittle. Women with osteoporosis are at high risk for bone fractures.

  Fish oil may increase the body's ability to absorb calcium, an essential mineral for bone health. Including fish oil in the diet allows the body, then, to better process calcium and decrease the risk of developing osteoporosis.

At-Risk Women

• Women at risk for heart disease or cancers may benefit from adding fish oil to their diets. Omega fatty acids aid in circulatory health and liver function, thereby controlling cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease.

  The omega fatty acids are believed to control inflammation and free radicals, both associated with cancer growths. Results in a study conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, demonstrated a link between the use of fish oil supplements and reduced incidence of breast cancer, a disease almost exclusively confined to women.

Postmenopausal Women

• Maturity brings with it dry skin. The fatty acids in fish oil reduce moisture loss, aiding in the natural production of skin oils. For older women, the addition of fish oil may keep the skin more supple and reduce wrinkles. Postmenopausal women are also at a higher risk for breast cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis. A continuation of fish oil from a younger age through the menopausal years may reduce the risk of these conditions into old age.