Is Fish Oil Enough? (What You Might be Missing Out On)
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 7, 2023
I love talking about the active elements in foods because it highlights the powerful health benefits of those individual ingredients.
Take fish oil, for instance. If you search the Living Well Daily archives, you’d likely find THOUSANDS of references to this golden fish extract.
Fish oil contains the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
These vital nutrients produce anti-inflammatory molecules in the body called eicosanoids. And as a result, the potent oil supports joint, heart, and brain health.
But we should be careful to not throw the baby out with the bathwater here. Or, in this case, the fish.
Because in some cases, the whole IS better than the parts. (OR just as important.)
EPA and DHA-rich fish oil is proven to have many health benefits. But the FISH it’s extracted from does too.
In fact, according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, when you skip the WHOLE fish, you also skip out on bunches of other potential health benefits.
The sardines used in the study are a significant source of the fish oil found in supplements.
And researchers say these tiny cold-water fish are brimming with minerals most of us need MORE of, including…
- calcium,
- potassium,
- zinc,
- magnesium,
- and iron.
Fish is also an excellent source of the essential amino acids arginine and taurine.
Your body requires arginine to make proteins. Plus, the amino acid helps maintain healthy blood pressure by converting into circulation-boosting nitric oxide.
Taurine is a powerful antioxidant. The nutrient is used for energy production and acts as a neurotransmitter. And the amino acid supports heart and brain health.
The researchers confirmed that the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA help control inflammation and have many heart-healthy benefits. And they concluded that the benefits of fish oil can only be improved upon by eating whole sardines.
But I say, “Why choose?”
Many folks don’t get the full benefits of taking fish oil until they reach 3,000 milligrams of the supplement a day.
But that doesn’t mean dropping the supplement and only eating fish is better. Because to get the equivalent amount of EPA and DHA from eating sardines alone, you’ll have to eat a TON of fish.
A 3-ounce serving of canned sardines contains about 740 milligrams of DHA and 450 milligrams of EPA. And that means you must swallow several cans of sardines every day to meet your needs.
The better option is to get the best of BOTH worlds by consuming BOTH.
Make sardines and other fish a regular part of the diet. But then ALSO supplement with fish oil to provide the body with everything it needs.
P.S. Over 23 million Americans alone battle autoimmune diseases such as celiac, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. But recent research has revealed a simple way to reduce your risk. And you can literally pick up this potent pair at your local grocery store for a few dollars a month.
Source:
“Eating more sardines instead of fish oil supplementation: Beyond omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a matrix of nutrients with cardiovascular benefits,” Front. Nutr., 14 April 2023, Sec. Clinical Nutrition Volume 10 – 2023, doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1107475
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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