Fish oil is sometimes taken in the form of dietary supplements to increase omega 3 intake.
- Fish oil supplements protect against heart disease
- Their consumption does not present a risk of increasing bad cholesterol
They are usually small capsules filled with liquid: food supplements based on fish oil are consumed for their protective effect on the heart. Their benefits are linked to their high concentration of omega 3, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Some scientists, however, have questioned their impact on blood cholesterol levels, especially LDL-C, referred to as bad cholesterol. When present in too large quantities in the body, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disorders. American researchers conducted a scientific study to understand the effects of these supplements on blood cholesterol levels. The results were published in the specialized publication Clinical Lipidology.
A sample of nearly 10,000 people
The study was carried out using data from 9,253 healthy people followed by a health professional. Their blood cholesterol level was analyzed as well as information concerning the intake of dietary supplements based on fish oil. The researchers were also interested in their omega 3 levels in the blood. They asked themselves two questions: did people who started taking omega-3 dietary supplements between two appointments with their doctor see their LDL-C cholesterol levels increase? Was the level of this cholesterol higher in people whose omega 3 levels in the blood increased between two visits? For these two questions, the results of the analyzes show that the answer is no.
Risk-free dietary supplements
The researchers found that a small increase in omega 3 levels is associated with a small decrease in LDL-C cholesterol levels. For Dr. William Harris, president of the Fatty Acid Research Institute, the origin of this study, people taking dietary supplements based on fish oil “don’t have to worry about their cholesterol level”. In 2019, the association 60 million consumers alerted the population to the ineffectiveness or even sometimes the dangerousness of certain products: for this reason, it is recommended to seek advice from a pharmacist or a health professional before starting this type of product. of cure.
