Omega-3 fatty acids are present in foods and dietary supplements. They help keep the membranes that surround all cells in the body working well.
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acid:
- alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
- eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
ALA is mostly present in plant oils, such as chia seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts. DHA and EPA are mostly present in cold-water fatty fish, such as mackerel, salmon, herring, and sardines.
A person’s body can convert small amounts of ALA into DHA and EPA. According to the
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Beyond the basic maintenance of cells in a person’s body, initial research has linked omega-3 fatty acids with various other health benefits.
However, a lot of the research that demonstrates these links is in the early stages or relies on experiments on animals.
In general, until scientists conduct further research, it is not clear to what extent omega-3 fatty acids benefit a person beyond the basic maintenance of their body’s cells.
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However, it is not clear whether this is because of the omega-3s that the fish contain or something else. Furthermore, if it is because of the omega-3s that fish contain, it is not clear if a person taking omega-3 supplements will have the same benefits.
May reduce inflammation
According to an article in the
However, while these effects were evident in animal studies, clinical trials on humans were less conclusive.
People with rheumatoid arthritis appeared to benefit from taking fish-oil supplements, but there was no clear benefit for people with inflammatory bowel disease or asthma.
May reduce the chance of heart attack
According to the
A review article in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry states that this is a controversial area of research that is still up for debate.
According to the
However, the NCCIH point out that medications that contain omega-3s among other ingredients have approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat high triglyceride levels, although the same does not apply to omega-3 supplements.
A 2018 study suggested that taking omega-3 supplements could benefit African Americans. Black participants receiving the supplement saw a 77% reduction in heart attack compared with those taking the placebo.
May help combat obesity
An article in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry states that research in humans is yet to show omega-3 supplements to help a person lose weight. They may be able to help a person stop putting weight back on, however, although it is not clear precisely how they may do this.
May contribute to infant health
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According to the
- bad breath
- bad-smelling sweat
- headaches
- heartburn
- nausea
- diarrhea
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Omega-3 fatty acids are an important part of a person’s nutrition and contribute to the basic health of all cells in the body. Most people get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet to achieve this.
A key source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish. There is clear evidence that eating more fish can help reduce the chances of a person developing cardiovascular illnesses. However, there has yet to be conclusive evidence that taking omega-3 supplements has similar health benefits.