by Philip Youngwood

Fish oils have had a new boost as a new breakthrough medical study finds that not only do fish oils have medicinal benefits, but those benefits could be far more significant than has ever been thought before.

The study by the Ochsner Medical Clinic in New Orleans found that Omega 3 in particular could help to prevent heart disease and strokes in healthy people, as well as those with heart problems, by up to 30% *1.

The news has been welcomed by some nutritionists who state that fish oils ‘could be a way to radically cut the number of heart attacks’ *2. Heart disease is currently England’s biggest killer; with around 110,000 fatalities each year *3.

As Omega 3 (also known as an essential fatty acid) cannot be produced naturally by the human body it must be consumed within the diet or taken as a nutritional supplement. Omega 6 is also an essential fatty acid, although the over-abundance of mono-unsaturated fats in the modern European diet means that it is actually too rich in Omega 6 *4.

Eating fresh cold water fish, such as Mackerel and Herring, twice a week is the best source of Omega 3, according to the Food Standards Agency *5. However, the average Brit only eats around one third of a portion each week.

Not only can fish oils be beneficial for cardiovascular and circulatory ailments, but they have also been linked to a range of other medicinal benefits. Some of these include eye health and joint health, which studies have indicated can be improved through an increase in Omega 3 intake *6.

Although there has not been an RDA set for Omega 3, experts generally recommend that a supplement of around 500 – 600 mg of EPA/DHA will allow you to enjoy the optimum health benefits associated with it. This is particularly the case with those unable to incorporate the 2 portions of fish into their weekly diet *7.

*1 Alaswad, K. et al (2002). The Oschner Journal. Fish Oil in Cardiovascular Prevention. http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&issn=1524-5012&volume=004&issue=02&page=0083

*2 Daily Mail Online (2009). Could a fish oil pill add years to your life? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1205628/Could-fish-oil-pill-add-years-life.html

*3 Department of Health. Coronary Heart Disease. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Coronaryheartdisease/DH_120

*4 Healthy Direct (2007). Omega 3 Explained. http://www.healthydirect.com/article/Omega3Explained/d.jsf

*5 Food Standards Agency(2009). Fish and Shellfish. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/fishandshellfish/

*6 Daily Mail Online (2009). Could a fish oil pill add years to your life? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1205628/Could-fish-oil-pill-add-years-life.html

*7 Food Standards Agency(2009). Fish and Shellfish. http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/fishandshellfish/

About the Author:
Philip Youngwood is a keen writer on the subjects of health and nutritional supplements.

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