Fish Oils

Common names: Marine oils, marine oil fatty acids, n-3 fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), long-chain PUFAs (LCPUFAs)

Efficacy rating:

●●●...Positive clinical trials

Safety rating:

What is Fish Oils?

User Reviews & Ratings As a treatment for... Avg User Ratings [?] Rheumatoid Arthritis Be the first to rate it 0 reviews Hypertriglyceridemia Be the first to rate it 0 reviews Dietary Supplementation Be the first to rate it 0 reviews Showing 3 of 4 conditions - Show All... Compare with other drugs.

Fish oils are predominantly comprised of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); “fish oil” is a term frequently used interchangeably with, and in reference to, EPA and DHA. Marine sources containing the highest content of omega-3 fatty acids are fatty fish (eg, mackerel, halibut, salmon, bluefish, mullet, sablefish, menhaden, anchovy, herring, lake trout, coho, sardines), which provide 1 g or more of omega fatty acids per 100 g (3.5 oz) of fish. Tuna (because of its common consumption), seal, and shellfish (eg, oysters) are additional sources.

Dietary supplements containing varying concentrations of EPA and DHA are available commercially, usually as oil-filled capsules. However, daily allowance in otherwise healthy individuals is probably best achieved by consuming fish approximately 2 times per week.

What is Fish Oils used for?

Most uses of fish oils have been based on the beneficial effects of EPA and DHA, specifically those related to cardiovascular, inflammatory, neural, and hormonal support. Interest in possible health benefits followed observations that populations with a high dietary intake of fish, such as Eskimo and Inuit populations, had low incidences of atherosclerotic and thrombotic disorders and inflammatory conditions. Historically, deficiencies were noted in infants fed nonfat or low-fat diets or in patients receiving long-term (eg, 2 to 3 weeks) parenteral nutritional formulations lacking polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Clinical benefit is strongest for lowering the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), decreasing serum triglycerides, and improving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, clinical data have produced conflicting results. Other areas of potential use include schizophrenia, respiratory diseases, reduction of menstrual pain, and promotion of postnatal growth and development, but these require further study.

What is the dosage of Fish Oils?

A variety of clinical studies have used DHA at dosages of 0.4 to 2 g/day, while the emulsion PLT 3514 has been used at daily doses of 10 to 15 g. Studies of omega-3 PUFAs have included dosages between 2 and 10 g/day.

Is Fish Oils safe?

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Documented adverse effects. Potential for mercury ingestion. Avoid use.

Fish oil ingestion may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Because warfarin has a narrow therapeutic index, patients taking warfarin should avoid concurrent use of fish oil.

Fish oil at doses of 2 to 5.4 g/day EPA and DHA is well accepted and tolerable. Mild GI discomfort was the most serious adverse effect occasionally noted for any of the doses studied and was also reported in some control groups. An increase in LDL cholesterol has been reported occasionally; however, evidence does not suggest the risk to be greater than the health benefits related to increased fish oil consumption.

Research reveals little or no information.

References

Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health

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Compare Fish Oils with other medications for the treatment of:

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hypertriglyceridemia, Dietary Supplementation, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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