How Good For You is Fish Oil Really? | FRONTLINE

Fish oil available in over-the-counter supplements might not always be worth the cost.

It is the third most widely used supplement in the United States. But there can be a big difference when it comes to prescription-quality fish oil and the kind found in over-the-counter supplements.

[An excerpt from "Supplements and Safety," an investigation from FRONTLINE, The New York Times and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation exploring the hidden dangers of vitamins and supplements, a multibillion-dollar industry with limited FDA oversight.]

FRONTLINE is made possible by PBS and CPB. Major support is provided by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Park Foundation, the John and Helen Glessner Family Trust, the Ford Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation and Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation.

[suelistens]

My retina surgeon prescribed a daily high quality fish oil over 25 years ago as nutritional support for weak retinas. I've had no retina issues since. Meanwhile, although crippling arthritis runs in my family, I'm experiencing very few arthritic joint problems (and I'm over 70 yo). High blood pressure also runs in my family and my blood pressure runs consistently normal to low even though I'm not a skinny minny nor particularly athletic or fit. Due to a traumatic event in my 20's, I experienced and was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety. I do take some medication, but if I skip my fish oil supplements I'm both very anxious and depressed, even cranky, within 72 hours of being without fish oil. I have a minor heart problem that my cardiologist keeps an eye on, but nothing more than that. Perhaps I'm just very, very lucky. But anecdotally at least, I believe 25+ years of quality fish oil has made very positive contributions to my health and mental well being, and I will not be without it until my last day on earth. Of course, big pharma wants to prescribe their very expensive "pure" Vascepa fish oil compound, and perhaps it's fabulous, so they're going to say that OTC fish oils are junk, possibly even dangerous. Bottom line: they can't make off natural fish oils. As the old saying goes: follow the money. And, if you take OTC fish oil supplements, be sure to purchase a brand that has 3rd party testing of its product for safety and quality. Read the fine print!

[chanelh]

I really thought she was about to say "the science behind fish oil is a little... Fishy"

[longlost]

back in 1998 when I was 36, my cholesterol was at 580 with triglycerides at over 2500. after a year of medications and radical dietary change, my cholesterol was below 190, but triglycerides remained steady over 1000. my cardiologist put me on 1200mg of fish oil, twice a day. after 1 month (with NO other medications) my triglycerides were down below 200. I asked him, "whats next"? he said "bump it to 2400 twice a day, and go have yourself a good life". its now 24 years later, running 2000mg twice per day, with my cholesterol and triglycerides in health balance. there may be some "questionable" test results out there, but I'm the walking and talking example of someone who was once a walking solid, now living a pretty darn good and yep, I recommend fish oil to EVERYONE I

[spacejamgaming]

I'm 21 years old now and today is my 3rd day of taking Fish oil. I want to take this everyday for over a month and see what will happen. I also want to take this because of the 2 things I want to fix in my body and that is Healthy skin and improve mental health. ❤️💪🏻🧠

[ADUAquascaping]

Fish oil stopped my Omega-6 inflammation issues that led to acute prostatitis. I love trail mix and nuts, and most of us consume too many seed oils. The Omega-3 balanced out the Omega-6, so now I can eat trail mix again with no issues. It took me 5 years to figure this out. I dealt with a lot of debilitating pain throughout the past 5 years, and the urologist had no answers. Essentially, seed oils and overconsumption of Omega-6 fatty acids in general can lead to prostate cancer.

[carpediem]

I've been taking fish oil for 2 months now. My anxiety has dropped way way way lower than what it was.

[xoxo]

I started taking Fish oil, a few days before my period was due, experienced for the first time, no nausea, bloating, no muscle aches and pains, highly recommended for anyone with debilitating period pain👍🏽 first period without using painkillers

[patrickvanmeter]

I have taken flaxseed for years. I'm 80 years old and don't have any health problems and don't take any meds. I exercise a lot and always have. I just started taking some fish oil tabs along with flax to to fill in what Flax doesn't have. I hate fish and have only eaten it a hand full of times in my entire life. Haven't been to a Doctor in over thirty years. Do my own blood pressure and blood sugar. Both are normal with blood pressure being a little low at 110 over 65. The tabs I bought are 3 in one with CoQ10 and D3. We'll see. I appreciate this information. Thanks for the video.

[v.]

I have taken fish oil in capsule form since 1990, when I read a Prevention magazine article about fish oil and psoriasis. I actually almost died from eczema when I was an infant. My mother told me that the doctors had never seen eczema inside a child's mouth. This was at Massachusetts General Hospital back in the late fifties. Since taking the fish oil in 1990, my lifelong eczema has disappeared. I also understand it's good for brain function, as well as for the heart.❤

[youanditravel]

I had a heart attack 3 month ago and I was only 47, I started taking fish oil. It has helped with my bone aches, anxiety, I sleep better and have some how inches of my weight. So I don’t know if is good or bad or I will grow a tail lol from taking it. But the most important my blood pressure has been much better brings it down. I take it after breakfast and after dinner. And so far it has helped more then I was before. So will see.

[prettythang]

Fish oil helped with my depression and mood swings. I didn’t want to get in anti depression or any medication like that so I got fish oil because I heard it helps with mental health.

[delmanpronto]

definitely helped my mood, depression and memory issues. also knee pain.

[maywjeat]

Had really bad eczema, my face would literally peal after every shower. Fish oil day 12, it's gone 😁

[policyfirst]

Fish oil has helped many people with mood and pain issues. The truth is somewhere in between. Many Fish oil supplements are oxidized and the benefits are exaggerated out of ignorance and for profit. But it certainly is very effective at lifting moods and easing joint and period pain for many people.

[charlottewashington]

When i was growing a neighbor of mine gave this to her 2 kids everyday and they never was sick neither had a cold while her kids were playing outside in the cold weather, the rest of the kids in the neighborhood was sick inside their home, my grandmother always said it was good for our health !’n and i think it is!!!

[thisisme]

I use it for muscle pain and I think it helps.

[MrsSlocombesPuddyCat]

....Well fish oil helped clear up my psoriasis and stopped the pain from arthritis. An excellent supplement.

[matronix]

I took 2 x 1200mg a day for 2 years and no effects on mood or energy. Then i took 4 x 1200mg
and things begin to happen, more enrgy, less sleep, fell more positive and i have way more cognitive performance at some point
i need to chill because i have always more and more projects and ideas.

[sephardimyeshua]

It’s always amazing to watch the scientific flip flop that happens constantly. Eggs are good, no they are bad. Milk is bad, no it’s good, no it’s bad, no it’s good………. Viox helps with inflammation and the FDA says it’s safe, nope it is causing heart failure. A person could lose their mind listening to all the noise. Science only seems to agree when it gets enough money and political pressure. Fish oil has helped me with pain and it has been for a while now, so I will continue taking it, as science continues to not make up its mind.

[ruth]

Omega 3 makes ne feel sharper mentally and less fuzzy. Notice difference straight away when skip a few days. Haven't noticed physical benefits but well worth it anyway.