Take a look at the nutritional supplements available at any drugstore and you'll see blanket claims that fish oil can help with everything from heart and brain health to joints, eyes, and immunity. But new research suggests you may be spending your money.
"We know from recent large randomized trials that fish oil supplements do not prevent heart disease in the general population, but they are among the most accepted supplements, often by people who still believe they benefit their heart." . Study author Joanna Asadoran is a fourth-year medical student at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.
The authors used data from the labels of commercially available fish oil supplements to measure the frequency and type of health claims and examined what those labels actually say. These include both qualified health claims and claims about the structure or support function of various components that have been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The researchers evaluated the total daily intake of the complex omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in fish oil found in 16 major manufacturers and retailers of supplements.
Of the 2,819 diagnoses, 2,082 made at least one health claim, which is about 74%. Of those, only 19% have a qualified health claim approved by the FDA, which helps consumers understand any scientific uncertainty surrounding the claim. The rest made general statements about structure or function, such as "promotes heart health."
The most common claim was to improve cardiovascular health.
The study also found wide variation in daily allowances for EPA and DHA, with 9% of supplements from the top 16 brands providing 2 grams or more of the combined allowance of EPA and DHA. So far, experts have not established daily dietary guidelines for EPA and DHA, such as dietary supplement management.
The study found that one in five people over the age of 60 take fish oil, often because of heart disease.
Investing in a variety of fresh vegetables, a gym membership or medication may be better for treating high blood pressure or cholesterol, co-author Dr. Ann Marie Naver, associate professor of medicine at UT Southwestern.
"As a preventive cardiologist, I tell my patients that if they're taking fish oil to prevent heart disease, they can stop taking it because it's not helping them," says Navarre.
Patients should talk to their doctor before following label recommendations, says Asadarian. "Dietary supplement labels can confuse even the most discerning consumer," he commented.
The results of the study were published on August 23 in JAMA Cardiology .
Connie Dickman, a nutritionist and former president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says there is no evidence for fish oil supplements. Although eating seafood is good for your health, it is not clear whether fish oil is the cause.
It could be "the combined effect of everything in that food, as opposed to just one ingredient," said Diekman, who was not involved in the study.
"I think the first thing I would say as a nutritionist is to talk to your doctor about being referred to a nutritionist or you should go to reputable sites that have nutritionists who can translate. For you, because it's mandated by law, just like anything else, companies sell, and marketing He's selling a product, Dickman said.
Fish is a natural source of protein. Compared to other meats, it does not have a lot of excess fat. It is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish twice a week, especially oily fish.
But fish is not for everyone, and some avoid it due to food allergies or preferences.
For those looking to add fish to their diet to reduce the fishy taste, Dickman recommends starting with fish that are low in fat and mild in flavor.
Another option is to cook the fish and let it cool a bit to soften the flavor, says Dickman, who shares tips from the fish market. He also suggests serving it over pasta or mixing it with vegetables so that the fish doesn't come out of the middle.
It's also important to read the ingredients list of all supplements because they can contain more ingredients than one needs, says Dickman.
"Make sure you're getting what you want rather than a lot of filler," Dyckman said.
Navarro notes that two ongoing randomized placebo-controlled trials in the United Kingdom, VITAL and ASCEND, have tested fish oil supplements for heart disease prevention and found no benefit.
"We now need more research on what consumers expect from vague claims like 'boosts brain health,' and what messages can be used to accurately convey what is known about the benefits (or lack of benefits) of fish oil supplements," Navarre said.
The researchers concluded that stricter regulation of dietary supplement labels is needed to avoid misleading consumers.
More information: Joanna N. Asadorian et al., Health Claims and Consumption of Fish Oil Dietary Supplements in the United States, JAMA Cardiology (2023). doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2023.2424
The US Food and Drug Administration has more information about dietary supplements.
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