DHA plays important roles in the functioning of the brain and the eye. Researchers are actively investigating the possible benefits of DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids in preventing or treating a variety of brain- and eye-related conditions. Additional research on the association of omega-3 consumption and prostate cancer risk is under way.
The bottom line: Including seafood in your diet is healthful. Whether omega-3 supplements are beneficial is uncertain. If you are considering omega-3 supplements, talk to your health care provider. Get health information and other updates by email. Consejos a la hora de hablar: Seis aspectos que debe conocer al elegir un profesional de medicina complementaria.
See all Tip Sheets. Some studies have suggested that omega-3 supplementation may help prevent cognitive decline, especially in older adults. However, their results are not conclusive, according to one review. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils may help prevent heart disease and stroke , according to the AHA.
Specifically, omega-3 may help manage :. A study found that people who took fish oil supplements for longer than 1 month had better cardiovascular function during mentally stressful tests. In , researchers noted that fish oil, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, appeared to help stabilize atherosclerotic lesions. The AHA recommend eating fish, and especially oily fish, at least twice per week.
They say that this may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In a study , mice that received omega-3 supplements for 6 months appeared to have better retinal function and a lower risk of age-related vision loss than mice that did not receive the supplements. Optometrists often recommend taking omega-3 supplements to support eye health, even though scientific evidence does not always support their use for this purpose. In some cases, eating a healthful diet may be more beneficial than taking supplements, according to some experts.
In , for example, scientists who looked at the data of 4, people in Holland found that those who consumed fresh fruits and vegetables and 2 weekly servings of fish were less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration compared with those who did not.
Some people use omega-3 supplements for dry eyes. In , however, a year-long study involving people with moderate-to-severe dry eyes found no evidence to suggest that taking supplements was more helpful than taking a placebo for this purpose. Epilepsy is a neurological condition. Some studies have suggested that taking omega-3 supplements may help reduce the number of seizures a person experiences. However, a review did not find conclusive evidence to suggest that this can help prevent symptoms.
Omega-3 consumption may help boost fetal development, especially of the brain and eyes. This is one that reason experts recommend consuming oily fish during pregnancy.
However, it is important to avoid eating fish with high levels of mercury, such as shark and king mackerel, during this time. In , scientists concluded that consuming omega-3 during pregnancy may improve memory function in school-age children.
In most cases, the best way to consume nutrients is through food, unless a doctor recommends taking supplements. Animal-based sources of omega-3 include:. However, omega-3 supplements are unlikely to cause any severe adverse effects, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. That said, people should check with their doctor before using them, as there may be some risks.
For example:. It is, therefore, essential to buy them from a reputable source. Learn more about the possible side effects of taking fish oil here. Consuming more fish oil and omega-3 may bring some health benefits, but eating a diet that offers a variety of nutrients is likely to be healthful. They include unpleasant taste, bad breath, bad-smelling sweat, headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea.
Several large studies have linked higher blood levels of long-chain omega-3s with higher risks of prostate cancer. The reason for these apparently conflicting findings is unclear. Omega-3 supplements may interact with drugs that affect blood clotting. More Information. Currently, topics that NCCIH-funded researchers are investigating include: How changes in the intake of omega-3s and other fatty acids affect patients with migraine Which patients with depression might respond to EPA How genetic differences affect the fate of omega-3s in the body The effects of flaxseed, which is rich in ALA, in an animal model of ovarian cancer.
More To Consider. For More Information. Toll-free in the U. Office of Dietary Supplements ODS , National Institutes of Health NIH ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public.
MedlinePlus To provide resources that help answer health questions, MedlinePlus a service of the National Library of Medicine brings together authoritative information from the National Institutes of Health as well as other Government agencies and health-related organizations.
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Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplements eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis.
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Meta-analysis of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid EPA in clinical trials in depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
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American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Other References. Omega 3 and 6 oils for primary prevention of allergic disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dietary supplements for established atopic eczema. A randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome. International Journal of Ophthalmology. Use of complementary health approaches among children aged 4? National health statistics reports; no Bloch MH, Qawasmi A. Omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of dementia. Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory bowel diseases — a systematic review.
Omega-3 fatty acids for intermittent claudication. Long-term effect of high dose omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for secondary prevention of cardiovascular outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo controlled trials. Association between fish consumption, long chain omega 3 fatty acids, and risk of cerebrovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Relationship of dietary intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with risk of prostate cancer development: a meta-analysis of prospective studies and review of literature. Prostate Cancer. Trends in the use of complementary health approaches among adults: United States, — The effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on emotional dysregulation, oppositional behaviour and conduct problems in ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal of Affective Disorders. Covington MB. Omega-3 fatty acids. American Family Physician. National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference statement: preventing Alzheimer disease and cognitive decline. Annals of Internal Medicine. Fish oil for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Dennis CL, Dowswell T. Interventions other than pharmacological, psychosocial or psychological for treating antenatal depression.
Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis. Fusar-Poli P, Berger G. Eicosapentaenoic acid interventions in schizophrenia: meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled studies. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.
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