What is Fish Oil?

Fish oil is oil that comes from the tissues of oily fish. This oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic that are known to reduce body inflammation. The omega-3 fatty acid is thought to be helpful in preventing heart disease.

• Fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids are tuna, polluck, salmon, cod, catfish, flounder, grouper, halibut, mahi mahi, orange roughy, red snapper, shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel. Herring, trout, anchovy and sardines also contains beneficial fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids.


• Many predatory fish that contain the omega-3 fatty acids might also contain high levels of mercury and the consumption of these fish must be limited, especially for pregnant and women who are nursing. Some of the predatory fish are shark, king mackerel, albacore tuna, tilefish and swordfish.


• The way that the fish is prepared makes a difference in the fish oil's benefit. Frying the fish seems to cancel the benefits and increase the risk of heart disease.  Broiling or baking the fish seems to reduce the risk of heart disease.


• Fish oil can be taken as supplements that are usually made from mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut and salmon with a small amount of vitamin E to prevent spoilage.


• Fish oil side effects can include, bad breath, belching, heartburn, nausea, loose stools and nose bleeds.  Taking high doses of fish oil can cause an increase in bleeding and might reduce the immune system ability to fight infections.