Fish Oil is Not What You Think It Is

Fish oil supplements are said to be a cure for everything from heart disease to depression.

But what if I told you that the truth about fish oil is darker than the industry wants you to believe?

Fish Oil v.s. Omega 3

Omega 3s, specifically DHA and EPA, are very good for you. I ranked Omega 3s #9 in my miniseries, Supplements That Everyone Should Take.

They are essential for brain health, heart health, and warding off autoimmune diseases. There’s even research by the NIH that suggests omega-3 levels are a good predictor of overall health and all-cause mortality.

However, conventional fish oils go through a manufacturing process called trans-esterification, resulting in a rancid fish oil lacking EPA and DHA.

According to a lawsuit filed against The Bountiful Company and Nature's Bounty:

Risks of Fish Oil Consumption

There’ve been many studies which show the health risks associated with fish oil:

• Increased Cancer Risk: Research indicates that fish oil can rapidly deplete vitamin E levels in the body, a vital antioxidant. This deficiency has led to alarming outcomes in animal studies, including a 100% cancer mortality rate.

• Immunosuppression: Various studies have shown that fish oils suppress the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections and diseases.

• Oxidative Stress and Cellular Damage: The unstable fatty acids in fish oil (PUFA) are prone to oxidation, forming harmful compounds like in your body. These compounds damage DNA, proteins, and cell membranes, contributing to accelerated aging and disease.

• Neurological Harm: The breakdown products of oxidized fish oil have been implicated in causing brain swelling, impaired mitochondrial function, and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Despite these findings, the fish oil industry (valued at $1.9 billion in 2019, which will likely rise to $2.8 billion by 2027) continues to market these supplements, supporting their claims with biased research and misleading advertising.

If you’re interested in studying this topic further, read The Great Fish Oil Experiment by Ray Peat.

What To Do Instead

To get all the benefits from DHA and EPA Omega 3s, go for krill oil. Many good ones come from Norway.

Krill oil is more bioavailable and doesn’t give you fishy burps (which is actually a sign of rancid fish oil).

Look for krill oil with the right ratios of Omega 3, which are 60-85% EPA and DHA.

Cold water fatty fish such as wild-caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, herring, and anchovies are all great options too.

If you’ve been taking fish oils, here’s what you can do to counteract the negative effects:

• Boost your antioxidant intake. This will help counteract the oxidative stress induced by rancid fish oils. Vitamin E is best in this scenario.

• Eat more saturated fat. Saturated fat from grass-fed meat, dairy, and coconut oil can help mitigate the inflammatory effects of the bad fatty acids in fish oil.

As with most health recommendations, if mainstream media is pushing it on you, it’s best to be skeptical.

Until next time,

Kashif Khan

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical advice from your physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your regular health care provider.