Benefits of fish oil are a myth!!! EEK!!!

[rudolph]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...100878,00.html

Why am I taking this stuff? GRRRRRR

[JustinKim943]

Reps, good find.

As for me, i'm just gonna sit back and see what others have to say about this issue.

[Phosphate bond]

It is said the Inuits were healthy people, but was this due to all the fish they ate or the lifestyle they had?

If you think about it maybe their primitive lifestyle (increased energy expenditure) combined with the cold weather (and thus possibly increased shivering thermogenesis--->further increased energy expenditure ) is what contributed in part to their improved cardiovascular healh.

So was it the fish oil or the other things impacted their life that lead to these observations? Or a little of both? (fish oil does have some anti-arrthmyic effects)

[rudolph]

But somehow this makes no sense. Shall all of this have been a lie?
You always hear that the people in Italy and France are so healthy because of their mediteran diet and the healthy fats and what about the eskimos which are supposed to have no heart attacks at all because they eat so much fish?
Is all of this a hoax?!

[bredfan]

I eat fish, but stay away from the supps.

My understanding is that the AHA recommends eating fish, not necessarily taking the supps. As far as I know, most of the studies on fish oil supps come from treating specific conditions.

Of course since I am not a qualified professional, I could be wrong. Either way, my choice is to stay with plain old food for me efa's.

[payton34]

duh creatine is bad for your kindneys too

[SinewySam]

Just an observation:
The study says that taking oil supplements dosnt effect the risk of dying.
As far as I know, NOTHING can reduce our risk of eventully dying...
"Not dying" isnt what health is.

[P01Shooter]

"The team pooled all the data from the studies to increase statistical power. When this was done there was no strong evidence of a reduced risk of dying among those taking supplements."

Well, damn. There goes my plan on never dying. Seems to me they were looking for certain health benefits, other than dying, which they didn't mention. I would be interested in seeing what exactly they were looking at.

[pu12en12g]

Just an observation:

The study says that taking oil supplements dosnt effect the risk of dying.
As far as I know, NOTHING can reduce our risk of eventully dying...

Well, damn. There goes my plan on never dying.

LMAO... gasping... for... air... can't... handle... the...


COMEDIC GOLD !!!

[wild1poet2]

I've always been concerned about the mercury levels in fish oil. Hence, I buy the brands that "test and certify" no mercury.

This study team cited in this article state: "...because it contains traces of toxic methyl mercury as a contaminant."

Yikes!

[Phosphate bond]

I've always been concerned about the mercury levels in fish oil. Hence, I buy the brands that "test and certify" no mercury.

This study team cited in this article state: "...because it contains traces of toxic methyl mercury as a contaminant."

Yikes!

There was a study I saw over and mind and muscle that actually correlated fish intake with increased mortality but it was because of the mercury (not the actual fatty acid itself)

[whitedevil74]

Well, one less supplement to buy. This will save me about $10.00 a month, I am getting the HBO package upgrade for my cable. I need all the boxing I can get.

[P01Shooter]

As if I needed another reason to love cilantro.


In studies at the Heart Disease Foundation (New York), Omura et al. (1995; 1996) found that antibiotics used to treat infection were not effective in the presence of heavy metals such as mercury and lead. These metals appeared to coexist with infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex, as well as with cytomegalovirus and other microorganisms, including viruses responsible for cancer. Even with rigorous treatment and taking precautions to guard against reinfection, patients often had a recurrence of infection within several months after treatment was completed. However, quite by chance (after eating soup containing cilantro) and as the result of his own experience following a cardiac thallium study, Omura found that cilantro successfully eliminated mercury deposits (mercury resulted as a decay product of thallium). Omura et al. (1995) then gave subjects a course of either antibiotics or antiviral drugs along with cilantro. The amount of cilantro varied by individual because some subjects did not like either cooked or raw cilantro, but the researchers found that cilantro worked synergistically with antibiotic drugs and rapidly reduced symptoms and infection. They also found that cilantro accelerated the elimination of mercury, lead, and aluminum through the urine. They hypothesized that certain infectious organisms somehow use mercury or lead to protect themselves from antibiotics or that deposits of heavy metals somehow make antibiotics ineffective.

The next year, the same researchers (1996) investigated the potential health hazard of mercury in dental amalgam. In this case study, they monitored a patient who was having amalgam fillings removed. Even though considerable care was used so that the patient would not swallow minute particles of amalgam during the removal process (drilling), significant deposits of mercury were still found in the patient's lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart. These deposits were not present prior to the amalgam removal. However, the mercury deposits were eliminated by taking oral cilantro four times a day. Omura et al. (1996) initiated cilantro detoxification treatment before the removal procedure and continued it for about 2-3 weeks afterward.

http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcls-...prtcl-156.html

[moondg29]

Can more people please add to this?

I've seen so many good things... now this....

[rudolph]

What happens if you take fish oil which contains mercury? This scares me.

[OneBetter]

There was a study I saw over and mind and muscle that actually correlated fish intake with increased mortality but it was because of the mercury (not the actual fatty acid itself)

that's what this study said too, that the reason may have been due to it containing traces of "toxic methly mercury."



plus, the study just concludes that it "will not cut the risk of dying of heart disease, stroke or cancer." didnt really say if they checked for any other positive benefits.

[weightsanyway]

"The team pooled all the data from the studies to increase statistical power. When this was done there was no strong evidence of a reduced risk of dying among those taking supplements."...

..."The benefit could have been as great as 30 per cent, or the disbenefit as much as 36 per cent. So fish oil could reduce deaths, or increase them. The only conclusion possible is that it has no significant effect. "


I'm always wary when I see something like this. The researches basically took 80-some other studies and measured the overall study results for significant results.

You really have to look at each individual study to see what was actually measured and how the study was performed. Even if its a given that the studies were published and sound, you have to realize that there were so many variations in the sample groups to begin with - individual studies on fish oil used healthy people, people w/heart conditions, post-heart attack survivors, etc..

IOW, Look at the second quote - this would be like pooling all the studies done on alcohol and its effects and saying there's no signficant effect. But if you look closely you'll see there's positive studies on how alcohol improves blood pressure, cholesterol, etc., and there's just as many negative studies that show it harms the liver, slows reaction time and kills the memory. Combine all that into one big, convoluted ball and you've essentially got a researcher saying the equivalent of 50 + (-50) = 0, so there's no significant effect. That's pretty vague if you ask me...

[Mr. Aries]

What happens if you take fish oil which contains mercury? This scares me.

you drop dead of course!!! PAY ATTENTION MAN!!

[TheBigA]

Fish oil from an organic proper source not farmed salmon will be ok for u.

Ive benifited from fish oil and Iam sure many ppl on the form have to its a brilliant supplement theres more studies that have proved fish oils worth than studies that have not.

There is always ppl in the medical profesion that want to discredit things exspecially when theve finally been credited to work to make a name for them selfs and to prove ppl wrong.

[E-Go]

Mods are going hate me for this....

What is it?
Oil from fish contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); both are omega-3 fatty acids.

Most fish oil supplements are 18% EPA and 12% DHA, or a total of 30% omega-3. These omega-3 fatty acids, unlike the omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseed oil and other vegetable oils (such as alpha linolenic acid), keep blood triglycerides in check (high triglycerides are generally linked with increased risk of heart disease) and may inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis.1 EPA and DHA keep blood from clotting too quickly.

EPA and DHA also have anti-inflammatory activity. As a result, fish oil is used to help people with various inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease2 and rheumatoid arthritis.3 The anti-inflammatory effects of EPA and DHA may also account for the findings of some reports that show fish oil supplementation helps some people with kidney diseases4 5 6 and may help protect against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.7

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help to balance the omega-6 fatty acids, which are found mostly in vegetable oils. When these two groups of fatty acids are out of balance, the body releases chemicals that promote inflammation. People appear to produce more of these inflammatory chemicals when experiencing psychological stress (e.g., academic examinations). With a fatty acid imbalance, inflammatory response to stress appears to be amplified.8

Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances produced within the body that regulate dilation of blood vessels, inflammatory response, and other critical processes. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for prostaglandin formation. Probably as a result of their effect on prostaglandins responsible for blood vessel dilation, a double-blind trial found that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil helped to treat people with Raynaud’s disease.9

[rudolph]

so you mean fish oil is good?

[E-Go]

Schizophrenia is linked with abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism, and preliminary research suggests that fish oil supplementation may be helpful to people with schizophrenia.10 However, a double-blind study that used 3 grams per day of eicosapentaenoic acid failed to demonstrate any benefit for patients with chronic schizophrenia.11

DHA is essential for vision in infants. Researchers are now studying this relationship to better understand how much DHA is needed.

EPA and DHA also modulate immune function,12 probably as a result of their effect on prostaglandin production. Perhaps as a result of this effect, fish oil has helped prevent some types of cancer in animals13 14 15 and humans,16 although this evidence remains preliminary.

Preliminary evidence also shows that omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may help regulate the rhythm of the heart. EPA and DHA have been reported to help prevent cardiac arrhythmias.17

Where is it found?
EPA and DHA are found in mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines, sablefish (black cod), anchovies, albacore tuna, and wild game. Cod liver oil contains large amounts of EPA and DHA. Fish oil supplements typically contain 18% EPA and 12% DHA, though more purified (i.e., higher in EPA and DHA) fish oil supplements are sometimes available. In addition, DHA is available in a supplement that does not contain significant amounts of EPA.



Fish oil has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Crohn’s disease (enteric-coated, free-fatty-acid form of fish oil)
High blood pressure
High triglycerides
Rheumatoid arthritis
Macular degeneration (in combination with acetyl-L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10)
Asthma
Atherosclerosis
Bipolar disorder
Breast-feeding support
Cardiac arrhythmia (do not take, or take only with a doctor's supervision, if there is a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation)
Cystic fibrosis (EPA)
Depression
Eczema
Heart attack
Immune function (omega-3 fatty acids for critically ill and post surgery patients only)
Intermittent claudication (in combination with vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin E, oleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid)
Kidney disease
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis
Osteoporosis (in combination with evening primrose oil)
Phenylketonuria (if deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids)

[E-Go]

Pre- and post-surgery health
Pregnancy and postpartum support (to prevent premature delivery)
Psoriasis
Raynaud’s disease
Schizophrenia
Sickle cell anemia
Ulcerative colitis
Angina
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Colon cancer (reduces risk)
Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
Endometriosis
Glaucoma
Migraine headaches
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Photosensitivity
Preeclampsia
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Who is likely to be deficient?
So-called “primitive” diets have much higher levels of EPA and DHA than modern diets. As a result, some researchers and doctors believe that most people who eat a typical western diet are likely to be consuming less-than-optimal amounts of EPA and DHA. To a very limited extent, omega-3 fatty acids from vegetable sources, such as flaxseed oil, can convert to EPA.

At least four studies have reported a reduced blood level of omega-3 fatty acids in people with depression.18 19 20 21

People with rheumatoid arthritis have been found to have decreased levels of omega-3 fatty acids, such as are found in fish oil, in their joint fluid and blood.22

[Mattyx]

So.. anyone got any more good info on the mercury in fish oil? As in... is it going to kill me? :P I figure my fish oil has mercury, after all I didnt buy the most expensive fish oil heh.

[E-Go]

How much is usually taken?
Presumably, healthy people who frequently eat fatty fish (several times per week) have no need to supplement with fish oil. How much EPA and DHA, if any, should be supplemented by healthy people who do not eat much fatty fish, remains unclear.

Most researchers studying the effects of EPA and DHA in humans who have a variety of health conditions have given those people at least 3 grams of the total of EPA plus DHA—an amount that may require 10 grams of fish oil, because most fish oil contains only 18% EPA and 12% DHA.

The health benefits for people with Crohn’s disease have been reported with a special, enteric-coated preparation of purified EPA/DHA manufactured from fish oil. This preparation of purified fatty acids has also been reported to not cause the gastrointestinal symptoms that often result from taking regular fish oil supplements, again suggesting unique benefit.23

In one trial, the maximum amount of fish oil tolerated by people being treated for cancer-related weight loss was reported to be approximately 21 grams per day.24 However, in people who do not have cancer, the maximum tolerated amount may be different.



Are there any side effects or interactions?
While those with heart disease and diabetes have often been reported to benefit from supplementation with fish oil,25 26 both groups should check with their doctor before taking more than 3 grams of fish oil per day for several months. Elevations in blood sugar and cholesterol levels may occur in some people who take fish oil.27

The increase in blood sugar appears to be related in part to the amount of fish oil used.28 Some evidence suggests that adding vitamin E to fish oil may prevent the fish oil-induced increase in blood sugar levels.29 In other research, the impairment of sugar metabolism sometimes caused by supplementation with fish oil has been prevented by the addition of half an hour of moderate exercise three times a week.30

[Joel]

What happens if you take fish oil which contains mercury? This scares me.

Spectrum Essentials Fish Oil that I take is Mercury Free ( so it claims)

[E-Go]

While supplementation with fish oil consistently lowers triglycerides, the effect of fish oil on LDL (“bad”) cholesterol varies, and in some people, fish oil supplementation has been reported to increase LDL levels.31 People who took fish oil and who also took 15 grams of pectin per day were reported to have reductions in LDL cholesterol.32 This suggests that pectin may overcome the occasional problem of increased LDL cholesterol reported in people who supplement with fish oil. The LDL-cholesterol raising effect of EPA and DHA has also been reported to be prevented by taking garlic supplements (or presumably including garlic in the diet) along with EPA and DHA.33

Are there any drug interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.


References
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1. von Schacky C, Angerer P, Kothny W, et al. The effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on coronary atherosclerosis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 1999;130:554-62.

2. Mate J, Castanos R, Garcia-Samaniego J, Pajares JM. Does dietary fish oil maintain the remission of Crohn’s disease: a case control study. Gastroenterology 1991;100:A228 [abstract].

3. Kremer JM, Lawrence DA, Petrillow GF, et al. Effects of highdose fish oil on rheumatoid arthritis after stopping nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Arthritis Rheum 1995;38:1107-14.

4. Donadio JV Jr, Bergstrahl EJ, Offord KP, et al. A controlled trial of fish oil in IgA nephropathy. N Engl J Med 1994;331:1194-9.

5. Peck LW. Essential fatty acid deficiency in renal failure: can supplements really help? J Am Diet Assoc 1997;97:5150-3.

6. Donadio JV Jr, Grande JP, Bergstralh EJ, et al. The long-term outcome of patients with IgA nephropathy treated with fish oil in a controlled trial. Mayo Nephrology Collaborative Group. J Am Soc Nephrol 1999;10:1772-7.

7. Shahar E, Folsom AR, Melnick SL, et al. Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study Investigators. N Engl J Med 1994;331:228-33.

8. Maes M, Christophe A, Bosmans E, et al. In humans, serum polyunsaturated fatty acid levels predict the response of proinflammatory cytokines to psychological stress. Biol Psychiatry 2000;47:910-20.

[tweaked17]

Heh, here in America we could all use a little more omega 3 in our diets - everything is made from corn! Unless you already eat a healthy, balanced diet (i.e. an UNamerican diet) you would probably benefit from omega 3 supplementation.

[E-Go]

9. DiGiacoma RA, Kremer JM, Shah DM. Fish-oil dietary supplementation in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon: a double-blind, controlled, prospective study. Am J Med 1989;86:158-64.

10. Laugharne JDE, Mellor JE, Peet M. Fatty acids and schizophrenia.Lipids 1996;31:S163-5.

11. Fenton WS, Dickerson F, Boronow J, et al. A placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acid (ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid) supplementation for residual symptoms and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry 2001;158:2071-4.

12. Alexander JW. Immunonutrition: the role of omega-3 fatty acids.Nutr 1998;14:627-33.

13. Braden LM, Carroll KK. Dietary polyunsaturated fat in relation to mammary carcinogenesis in rats. Lipids 1986;21(4):285.

14. O’Connor TP, Roebuck BD, Peterson F, et al. Effect of dietary intake of fish oil and fish protein on the development of L-azaserine-induced preneoplastic lesions in the rat pancreas. J Natl Cancer Inst 1985;75:959-62.

15. Gonzalez MJ. Fish oil, lipid peroxidation and mammary tumor growth. J Am Coll Nutr 1995;14:325.

16. Zhu ZR, Mannisto JAS, Pietinene P, et al. Fatty acid composition of breast adipose tissue in breast cancer patients and patients with benign breast disease. Nutr Cancer 1995;24:151-60.

17. Nair SSD, Leitch JW, Falconer J, Garg ML. Prevention of cardiac arrhythmia by dietary (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids and their mechanism of action. J Nutr 1997;127:383-93.

18. Maes M, Smith R, Christophe A, et al. Fatty acid composition in major depression: decreased omega 3 fractions in cholesteryl esters and increased C20: 4 omega 6/C20:5 omega 3 ratio in cholesteryl esters and phospholipids. J Affect Disord 1996;38:35–46.

19. Edwards R, Peet M, Shay J, Horrobin D. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in the diet and in red blood cell membranes of depressed patients. J Affect Disord 1998;48:149–55.

20. Peet M, Murphy B, Shay J, Horrobin D. Depletion of omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes of depressive patients. Biol Psychiatry 1998;43:315–9.

21. Maes M, Christophe A, Delanghe J, et al. Lowered omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in serum phospholipids and cholesteryl esters of depressed patients. Psychiatry Res 1999;85:275–91.

[E-Go]

22. Navarro E, Esteve M, Olivé A, et al. Abnormal fatty acid pattern in rheumatoid arthritis. A rationale for treatment with marine and botanical lipids. J Rheumatol 2000;27:298–303.

23. Belluzzi A, Brignola C, Campieri M, et al. Effects of new fish oil derivative on fatty acid phospholipid-membrane pattern in a group of Crohn’s disease patients. Dig Dis Sci 1994;39:2589–94.

24. Burns CP, Halabi S, Clamon GH, et al. Phase I clinical study of fish oil fatty acid capsules for patients with cancer cachexia: cancer and leukemia group B study 9473. Clin Cancer Res 1999;5:3942–7.

25. Leaf A, Weber PC. Cardiovascular effects of n-3 fatty acids. N Engl J Med 1988;318:549–57.

26. Malasanos TH, Stacpoole PW. Biological effects of omega-3 fatty acids in diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 1991;14:1160–79.

27. Schectman G, Kaul S, Kassebah AH. Effect of fish oil concentrate on lipoprotein composition in NIDDM. Diabetes 1988; 37:1567–73.

28. Toft I, Bonaa KH, Ingebretsen OC, et al. Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on glucose homeostasis and blood pressure in essential hypertension. Ann Intern Med 1995;123:911–8.

29. Luostarinen R, Wallin R, Wibell L, et al. Vitamin E supplementation counteracts the fish oil-induced increase of blood glucose in humans. Nutr Res 1995; 15:953–68.

30. Dunstan DW, Burke V, Mori TA, et al. The independent and combined effects of aerobic exercise and dietary fish intake on serum lipids and glycemic control in NIDDM. Diabetes Care 1997; 20:913–21.

31. Harris WS, Zucker ML, Dujovne CA. Omega-3 fatty acids in type IV hyperlipidemia: fish oils vs methyl esters. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;45:858 [abstr].

32. Sheehan JP, Wei IW, Ulchaker M, Tserng KY. Effect of high fiber intake in fish oil-treated patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus Am J Clin Nutr 1997; 66:1183–7.

33. Adler AJ, Holub BJ. Effect of garlic and fish-oil supplementation on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. Am J Clin Nutr 1997; 65:445–50.


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Copyright © 2006 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. www.healthnotes.com

The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2007.