Do Fish Oil Supplements Really Help Your Heart and Joints? A PharmD Weighs In

Key Takeaways

  • Omega-3 supplements may slightly reduce the risk of certain cardiovascular events in some people, but they do not consistently prevent heart disease in healthy adults.
  • For joint health, fish oil may improve symptoms in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, though the effect is usually mild.
  • For most people, the best way to get omega-3 fatty acids is through a balanced diet that includes fatty fish.

Fish oil supplements are popular dietary supplements that contains omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Many people take them hoping to protect their heart or ease joint pain.

However, while some studies suggest benefits, others show little effect.

Does Fish Oil Help Heart Health?

Omega-3 fatty acids can lower triglycerides and reduce inflammation. For those reasons, a lot of research has looked into taking fish oil supplements for heart health.1

Some research has shown small-to-modest reductions in risk of certain cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, and death. One of the meta-analyses found that the reduced risk was seen particularly in EPA-only formulations compared with mixed EPA and DHA supplements.21

But not all studies show clear benefits of fish oil supplements. In many trials involving generally healthy adults, fish oil supplements did not significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. Some research also suggests high doses may slightly increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm.3

The takeaway: Most experts recommend getting omega-3 fatty acids from your diet rather than supplements for routine heart disease prevention. The American Heart Association recommends eating two servings of fatty fish per week along with other heart-healthy foods.4

Does Fish Oil Ease Joint Pain?

Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is a key factor in joint diseases, such as arthritis. This includes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition that causes joint inflammation and pain, and osteoarthritis (OA).

Research has shown that fish oil supplements may help:

  • Decrease disease activity of RA5
  • Improve morning joint stiffness, tenderness, and overall pain, according to reports from people with RA6
  • Improve pain and joint function in people with OA7

However, the benefits are typically modest. Reviews of the research note that evidence for arthritis relief varies in quality and strength, and that results can differ from study to study.8

 

The takeaway: For many people, fish oil supplements may provide mild symptom relief but are not likely to be a replacement for standard arthritis treatments.

 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/should-you-take-fish-oil-supplements-for-your-heart-and-joints-11931653