The benefits and risk of Fish oil

Description

Fish oil is a clear, light golden-colored supplement made from the tissues of oily fish. Fish oil capsules are widely used supplements made from the oil of fishes like cod, halibut, herring, salmon, mullet, mackerel, tuna, bluefish, sardines, trout, whale blubber, etc. Being rich in omega-3 fatty acids like Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other vital nutrients, these supplements offer a broad range of health and beauty benefits. Besides this, fish oil capsules also carry Alpha-linolenic acid or ALA and Gamma-linolenic acid, which is wonderful for humans.

Uses

Fish oil provides a concentrated source of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids have many biological activities related to cardiovascular health, including lowered blood pressure and triglycerides and improved endothelial vasodilator function. Accordingly, individuals having or at risk for cardiovascular disease frequently use fish oil supplements, with about 8% of such people taking either prescription or supplement fish oil.

Fish oil capsules successfully bring down the levels of triglyceride in our blood. Fish oil capsules can be helpful as they can decrease the triglyceride levels significantly. According to scientists, one 1 gm. fish oil capsule can lower as much as 50% of the triglycerides in our body. Omega-3 fatty acids comprise eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are significant in expanding blood vessels. Hence, Fish oil makes the blood flow through the arteries smoothly and brings its pressure down to a great extent. Omega-3 fatty acids also possess excellent anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory properties, which keep hypertension at bay.

Risk

Yet, concerns persist about the possible bleeding risks of fish oil consumption, particularly during major surgical procedures. EPA and DHA may compete with arachidonic acid for incorporation into the platelet membrane or cyclooxygenase-mediated pathways, leading to reduced production of arachidonic acid-derived prothrombotic metabolites, such as thromboxane A2 and increased production of antithrombotic EPA metabolites that could minimize platelet activation and aggregation. Concerns over the potential risk of bleeding associated with this anti-platelet effect have led to recommendations that patients stop taking fish oil supplements before surgery and for delays in elective surgical procedures for patients taking fish oil by some healthcare professionals. Yet, little or no objective clinical evidence supports this practice. The risk of increased bleeding with fish oil consumption remains theoretical mainly because prior clinical trials have not reported a significantly increased risk of bleeding with fish oil supplementation[1].

References

[1] Emmanuel Akintoye. “Fish Oil and Perioperative Bleeding.” Circulation. Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 11 11 (2018): e004584.

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