How Can Fish Oil Help Lower Your Triglycerides
Youâre probably used to hearing about fish oil and its many benefits, but did you know that fish oil can also help lower your triglycerides? In this article weâre going to break down what triglycerides are and how fish oil works to break them down .
Plus, we are going to talk about Dr. Emilâs new Omega-3 Fish Oil supplement, which you will definitely want to consider including in your supplement routine!
Mercury And Heavy Metals
Sometimes, mercury and other hard metals can build up in fish because of environmental pollution. This is more likely to affect larger fish , but since we often eat or press these larger fish , we are at risk for higher mercury levels. Older studies have found that almost 90% of people have higher mercury levels than recommended, and those who ate more fish were more likely to have higher levels.
However, that doesnt mean that you should completely avoid fish or fish oil. Heavy metals are almost always removed during the refining and processing of fish oil. Both independent third-party testing organizations and researchers have come to the same conclusion: virtually no fish oil supplements on the market contain mercury. Before being sold, most fish oil supplements are tested for mercury and other heavy metals to be sure. This information should be readily available in a Certificate of Analysis or third-party testing results.
If youre concerned about your mercury levels, our guide to the best at-home heavy metal tests might help soothe your worries.
Are Fish Oil Supplements Beneficial For Kids
Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, and sardines are rich in the EPA and DHA omega 3 fats that research has shown to be beneficial for health. However, if your kids don’t eat fish, you may be wondering if they can get enough omega 3s from plant foods. Indeed, foods like walnuts, flax, canola oil, soy, and chia seeds, also contain omega 3 fats. However, the form of omega 3s these plant foods have, known as ALA, is not as easily converted into the EPA and DHA forms.
Therefore, it may be beneficial to ensure your child is regularly eating fatty fish or to consider supplementing with DHA and EPA. Those who may benefit from a fish oil supplement include:
Children who rarely eat fish: Manaker suggests that children may need to be exposed to fish a few times before they accept the unique taste. Adding fish to familiar foods like mac and cheese may help children eat this source of omegas a little easier. If they still aren’t eating fish regularly, talk to a healthcare provider about adding a fish oil supplement.
Children with ADHD: Fish oil is not a treatment for ADHD, however, there is some research showing that omega-3 fatty acids from either fish or plant sources may benefit children with the disorder when it comes to symptom improvement. If your child has this diagnosis, it may be worth a discussion with your healthcare provider.
You May Like: Does Yogurt Increase Bad Cholesterol
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega supplements are sourced exclusively from wild-caught sardines and anchovies so you know theyre clean. The lemon flavor helps eliminate the fishy aftertaste, too. And because Nordic Naturals meets all Friend of the Sea standards, you know these products are great for your health as well as ocean life.
Which Prescription Fish Oil Capsules Are Available To Treat Hypertriglyceridemia
Several prescription fish oil capsules have been approved by the FDA to treat triglyceride levels of more than 500 mg/dL. A report by Hilleman and Smer states that omega-3 fatty acid products available in prescription formulations have been found to significantly reduce triglycerides. In patients with baseline triglyceride levels of 500 mg/dL or greater taking 4 g/day of a prescription product, decreases compared with placebo ranged from 12.2% to 51.6%. Unlike the supplements, the prescription products are subject to FDA approval, and their safety and efficacy must be established prior to marketing. Currently, prescription capsules contain either a combination of EPA and DHA or EPA alone. There is some concern regarding the use of DHA in patients with dyslipidemia, since high-dose omega-3 products containing DHA increase LDL cholesterol levels the impact on HDL cholesterol levels varies.
One example of a prescription product is Lovaza. One 1-g capsule contains at least 900 mg of ethyl esters of omega-3 fatty acids . Another prescription omega-3 fatty acid product, Omtryg, was approved by the FDA in 2014 and contains EPA and DHA in the same amounts as Lovaza.
A third prescription fish oil is an ultra-pure omega fatty acid that contains an ethyl ester of EPA, icosapent ethyl . Each 1-g icosapent capsule contains at least 96% EPA and no DHA. Past studies suggest that highly purified EPA may lower triglyceride levels without increasing LDL cholesterol levels.
Also Check: Does Donating Blood Help Cholesterol
Fish Oil And Triglycerides Research: A Closer Look
For example, a 2011 study from the University of South Dakotas Sanford School of Medicine found that 3.4 grams a day of fish oil reduce plasma TAGs by 25 to 50 percent.
And children consuming 4 grams of fish oil each day experienced an antithrombotic effect that slightly reduced their TAG levels, according to this 2014 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics. However, it did not affect their LDL particles.
Overall, however, the research is inconclusive. Why would the short-term studies show a lowering effect, while the most recent large cohort study shows the opposite result?
The large study, published in March 2021, challenges the claims of fish oils triglyceride-lowering power.
Can You Lower Cholesterol Without Medication
There are ways to manage high cholesterol, and the wonderful news is that heart disease is 90% preventable, Dr. Cho says. Even if you have a significant family history of high cholesterol, you can prevent heart disease.
If you have coronary artery disease or carotid artery disease, your doctor may recommend that you pair healthy lifestyle habits with cholesterol-lowering medications, which can work wonders.
But nearly everyone can benefit from learning about healthy lifestyle choices that can lower cholesterol the natural way, including diet, exercise and stress management. Dr. Cho outlines the best ways to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Recommended Reading: What Foods Lower Bad Cholesterol
What To Look For In The Best Fish Oil Supplements
Both Dr. Pedre and Gans emphasize that sourcing high-quality fish oil supplements is crucial. You want to make sure they come from quality fish and that they are being produced by a supplement manufacturer that follows or even exceeds the FDAs Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines, says Dr. Pedre.
Like any supplement, you should buy from a reputable brand and look for a third-party certification, adds Gans. Third-party certifications confirm that the product contains what the label says and is safe for consumption.
You should also look at the EPA and DHA levels, as you want to choose a brand with higher levels of these compared to just total omega 3s, she adds. And lastly, seek a brand that has been certified as sustainable.
Indeed, EPA and DHA levels can vary widely when it comes to fish oil supplements. For example, Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega has 650 milligrams of EPA and 450 milligrams of DHA per serving, compared to New Chapters Wholemega Fish Oil that has 180 milligrams of EPA and 220 milligrams of DHA, says Gans.
Another concern with fish oil supplements is the possibility of heavy metal exposure, says Dr. Pedre. Its a good idea to find out if the company youre buying it from uses an independent lab to test their fish oil for heavy metals and that they can certify it is free from any significant amounts of heavy metals.
Read Also: How To Prepare Oatmeal To Lower Cholesterol
How We Select Supplements
Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.
We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. We prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent, third-party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.
It’s important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.
Recommended Reading: How To Lower Blood Cholesterol
Study Design And Population
We conducted a double-blind placebo controlled randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Omega-3 FA in reducing TG levels in healthy youth ages 1019 years with moderate to severe hypertriglyceridemia. Patients were recruited from subspecialty and primary care clinics at Boston Childrens Hospital and from referrals from community pediatricians. They were eligible to participate if they had a fasting TG level that was 150 to 1000 mg/dL and met all other study inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria included the ability to swallow pills and speak English. Patients were excluded if they reported allergy to fish, corn or other components of the pills, pregnancy or breast feeding, alcohol use, bleeding disorder or coagulopathy, thyroid disorder, diabetes or fasting glucose at or above 126 mg/dL, liver disease or alanine aminotransferase greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal, treatment with medications affecting TG levels including oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin, non-statin lipid lowering medications, or omega-3 FA pills.
Is It Better Than Other Omega
Fish oil supplements supply EPA and DHA and many also have vitamins A and D.
Meanwhile, general omega-3 supplements may or may not contain EPA and DHA, depending on whether they are derived from fish, sea algae or plant oils.
If your omega-3 supplement is made from sea algae, it has EPA and DHA. Usually, these supplements are high in DHA and low in EPA .
On the other hand, fish oil supplements likely have higher amounts of EPA than DHA, while plant-oil-based supplements give high amounts of ALA.
Although all omega-3s provide benefits, the most beneficial are EPA and DHA .
If you do not eat fatty fish regularly, a fish oil supplement may boost your EPA and DHA levels. However, if you dont consume any fish products, an algae-based supplement is a good alternative.
Otherwise, an omega-3 supplement made from plant oils will help increase your overall intake of omega-3s but likely wont raise your EPA or DHA levels.
Summary
Not all omega-3s are equal. While fish oil supplements provide EPA and DHA, most plant sources of omega-3 give ALA which can be difficult to convert into EPA and DHA.
You May Like: Difference Between Hdl Ldl And Triglycerides
Considering Fish Oil For Heart Health Dive Into The Pros Cons And Details Of The Top 7 Best Fish Oil Supplements In 2022 Find Out Which One Best Suits Your Health Needs
Lee AndersonMay 23, 2022
Fish are one of the healthiest foods we can eat. Despite their association with fried pub snacks, theyve been a staple in human diets for centuries, and its obvious to see why. All kinds of fish are rich in protein, minerals, fatty acids, and vitamins B2 and D .
But even with all of this information pointing to the health benefits of fish, very few people get the recommended amount. According to a 2019 survey, only 19% of adults and 5% of children eat seafood twice a week. But if youre part of the 60% of the US population that doesnt live in a state touching the ocean, it can be challenging to get fresh fish. Even if you live near the sea, it doesnt stop fish from being expensive meat.
Fish oil supplements are the next best thing that fills in those nutritional gaps. A simple pill can provide those high-quality vitamins and, most importantly, fatty acids like omega-3. We dove into the vast number of fish oil supplements to find the best and came back with seven top picks. Well detail things like dosing, nutritional quality, and whether or not theyll make your burps taste like fish in this guide.
If youre in a hurry, heres a list of our top picks.
Ingredients & Potential Interactions
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.
Fish oil supplements typically contain EPA, DHA, and may also contain other fats such as omega-7 , oleic acid, or an omega-6 fat called GLA. Some fish oil supplements contain added vitamins, such as vitamin E, to help stabilize the oils to prevent them from going rancid.
Fish oil supplements can have a blood-thinning effect and may lower blood pressure slightly. If you are taking blood-thinning or blood pressure lowering medication, be sure to discuss fish oil supplement use with a healthcare provider.
You May Like: Is Cholesterol Checked In A Full Blood Count
High Dose Recommended In Science Advisory
byNicole Lou, Staff Writer, MedPage Today August 20, 2019
Prescription omega-3 fatty acids are an effective and safe option to cut down triglycerides, according to a science advisory released by the American Heart Association .
However, over-the-counter omega-3 supplements are not reviewed or approved by the FDA and should not be used in place of prescription medication for the long-term management of high triglycerides, cautioned writing group chair Ann Skulas-Ray, PhD, of the University of Arizona, Tucson, in a press release.
Prescription omega-3 fatty acids at a dose of 4 g/d, are clinically useful for reducing triglycerides, after any underlying causes are addressed and diet and lifestyle strategies are implemented, either as monotherapy or as an adjunct to other triglyceride-lowering therapies, her group concluded.
Fish oil products containing eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid taken at that dose have been shown to reduce triglyceride levels by at least 30% in patients with triglycerides of 500 mg/dL or greater, according to the statement published online in Circulation.
EPA-only formulations did not raise LDL cholesterol in this group, whereas combination EPA-DHA did, authors noted.
Among people with hypertriglyceridemia in the 200-499 mg/dL range, the 4-g/day dose of prescription omega-3 fatty acids lowered triglycerides by 20% to 30% without significantly increasing LDL cholesterol.
Disclosures
Read Also: How Long To Reduce Cholesterol
Are Fish Oil Supplements Safe
Generally, fish oil supplements are safe. You might experience some mild stomach upset, bad breath, or heartburn if you take too much.
Theres been some talk of fish oil supplements increasing your risk of bleeding and interacting poorly with blood thinners, but recent studies show little-to-no proof of this claim. However, if you are taking a blood thinner or have a history of aneurysms or strokes, talk to your doctor before starting a fish oil supplement.
Naturally, if youre allergic to fish or shellfish, you should stay away from fish oil supplements and look for a vegan omega-3 supplement instead.
You should always reach out to your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you take any medications or have any health concerns.
Read Also: What Is The Treatment For High Cholesterol
Intelligent Labs Triglyceride Omega 3 2250mg Per 3
- 3:2 EPA:DHA Omega 3 ratio and dosage This matches the ratio found in fish in the wild! Each serving contains 2250mg of Omega-3 fatty acids, of which 1124mg is EPA and 816mg is DHA. The remaining 210mg are other Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Burpless fish oil Easy-to-swallow with the highest EPA and DHA content available. 1224mg EPA and 816mg DHA. No enteric coating . Just organic, wild and pure omega 3 fish oil pills, completely sustainably sourced.
- 100% pure Omega 3 We refine superior triglyceride oil for complete purity, which makes it also contaminant free.
- Love it or 100% money back guarantee When you order today, you are backed by our ‘Love It or 100% Money Back Guarantee’. If you are not 100% satisfied, whether you’ve used 1 softgel or the whole bottle, simply return it for a full refund, no questions asked, which means there is absolutely no risk on your behalf. We stand by our product because we know it’s the best available, anywhere.
- Superior natural triglyceride formation We do not use inferior ethyl ester fish oil. We use only the purest triglyceride fish oil, which is also absorbed better by the body than ordinary fish oil.
Try Vitamins And Supplements That Can Lower Your Cholesterol
Remember that pills should be a supplement to, not a substitute for, a good diet. If youre trying to lower your cholesterol, ask your doctor about the following options.
- Psyllium: This bulk-forming fiber laxative, which is sold over the counter , finds cholesterol and eliminates it from your body. Two grams a day can lower your cholesterol.
- Red yeast rice: Taking 1,200 milligrams twice a day may lower your cholesterol, but its critical that you talk to your doctor before taking it. Youll need to have your liver function monitored, Dr. Cho notes.
- Phytosterols: Phytosterol is similar to your bodys natural cholesterol and can block cholesterol from being absorbed into your body. Dr. Cho says two grams of phytosterol a day can lower your cholesterol by 10% and your LDL by 14%.
You may hear about garlic and grapeseed and other ways to lower your cholesterol, Dr. Cho says. But these ingredients wont impact your cholesterol, so save your money for something good like sneakers so you can go exercise!
Don’t Miss: How To Eat To Lower Triglycerides