What is omega 3 fish oil 1000mg good for

Conditions Affecting the Brain, Nervous System, or Mental Health&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="css-1w7tu5a"&gt;&lt;div class="css-1z0obd3"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div class="row"&gt;&lt;div class="col"&gt;&lt;style data-emotion="css 1lpaxlq"&gt;.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;padding:20px 0px 0px 0px;width:100%;max-width:80ex;} @media only screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;padding:10px 0px 0px 0px;}} @media only screen and (max-width: 812px) and (orientation: landscape){.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;margin:10px 0px 0px 0px;}} @media print{.css-1lpaxlq{padding:10px 10px 0px 0px;max-width:65%;break-inside:avoid;}}<div color="#4f4b4b" id="4-heading-depression" class="css-1lpaxlq"><style data-emotion="css 1w7tu5a">.css-1w7tu5a{margin-left:0;margin-right:0;width:100%;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;padding-left:0;padding-right:0;}

Depression

  • It’s uncertain whether omega-3 fatty acid supplements are helpful for depression. Although some studies have had promising results, a 2015 evaluation of 26 studies that included more than 1,400 people concluded that if there is an effect, it may be too small to be meaningful. Other analyses have suggested that if omega-3s do have an effect, EPA may be more beneficial than DHA and that omega-3s may best be used in addition to antidepressant medication rather than in place of it.
  • Omega-3s have not been shown to relieve symptoms of depression that occur during pregnancy or after childbirth.
  • Depression can be a serious illness. If you or someone in your family may have depression, consult a health care provider.
  • For more information, see NCCIH’s webpage on depression.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Research on omega-3s for ADHD has had conflicting results. It’s uncertain whether omega-3s have any benefit for symptoms of this condition.
  • For more information, see NCCIH’s webpage on ADHD.

Alzheimer’s Disease/Cognitive Impairment

  • Some research indicates that people who eat more seafood may have a reduced risk of cognitive decline. However, omega-3 supplements haven’t been shown to help prevent cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease or to improve symptoms of these conditions. For example, a large NIH-sponsored study completed in 2015 indicated that taking EPA and DHA supplements did not slow cognitive decline in older adults. The people studied were participants in a larger eye disease study, and all of them had age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  • It’s possible that omega-3s might have different effects in people with different genetic backgrounds. A 2017 research review suggested that people who carry a gene called APOE4, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, might benefit from taking DHA before developing signs of Alzheimer’s.
  • For more information, see NCCIH’s webpage on cognitive function, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Other Conditions Affecting the Brain, Nervous System, or Mental Health

Omega-3s have also been studied for autism spectrum disorders, borderline personality disorder, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia, but the evidence regarding their effects on these conditions is inconclusive.

Eye Diseases&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="css-1w7tu5a"&gt;&lt;div class="css-1z0obd3"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div class="row"&gt;&lt;div class="col"&gt;&lt;style data-emotion="css 1lpaxlq"&gt;.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;padding:20px 0px 0px 0px;width:100%;max-width:80ex;} @media only screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;padding:10px 0px 0px 0px;}} @media only screen and (max-width: 812px) and (orientation: landscape){.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;margin:10px 0px 0px 0px;}} @media print{.css-1lpaxlq{padding:10px 10px 0px 0px;max-width:65%;break-inside:avoid;}}<div color="#4f4b4b" id="4-heading-age-related-macular-degeneration" class="css-1lpaxlq"><style data-emotion="css 1w7tu5a">.css-1w7tu5a{margin-left:0;margin-right:0;width:100%;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;padding-left:0;padding-right:0;}

  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can cause vision loss in older people. Two major National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored studies, called Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), showed that dietary supplements containing specific combinations of vitamins, antioxidants, and zinc helped slow the progression of AMD in people who were at high risk of developing the advanced stage of this disease. AREDS2, which had more than 4,000 participants and was completed in 2013, also tested EPA and DHA. The results showed that adding these omega-3s to the supplement formulation didn’t provide any additional benefits. Other, smaller studies of omega-3 supplements also haven’t shown them to have a beneficial effect on the progression of AMD.
  • For more information on AMD and the AREDS studies, see NCCIH’s webpage on eye conditions.

Dry Eye Disease

  • The results of several small studies had suggested that taking omega-3 supplements might help relieve symptoms of dry eye disease. However, a 2018 NIH-sponsored study that tested omega-3 supplements for a full year in a larger group (535 study participants) with moderate-to-severe dry eye disease found that the supplements were no more helpful than a placebo (an inactive substance).

Retinitis Pigmentosa

  • Only a few studies have been conducted on omega-3s for retinitis pigmentosa, and these studies have not shown any clear evidence of beneficial effects.

Other Conditions&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="css-1w7tu5a"&gt;&lt;div class="css-1z0obd3"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div class="row"&gt;&lt;div class="col"&gt;&lt;style data-emotion="css 1lpaxlq"&gt;.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;padding:20px 0px 0px 0px;width:100%;max-width:80ex;} @media only screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;padding:10px 0px 0px 0px;}} @media only screen and (max-width: 812px) and (orientation: landscape){.css-1lpaxlq{clear:both;margin:10px 0px 0px 0px;}} @media print{.css-1lpaxlq{padding:10px 10px 0px 0px;max-width:65%;break-inside:avoid;}}<div color="#4f4b4b" id="4-heading-rheumatoid-arthritis" class="css-1lpaxlq"><style data-emotion="css 1w7tu5a">.css-1w7tu5a{margin-left:0;margin-right:0;width:100%;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;padding-left:0;padding-right:0;}

Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • The types of omega-3s found in seafood and fish oil may be modestly helpful in relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and decreasing patients’ need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Conventional medical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis can slow joint damage. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, don’t change your use of prescribed medications without consulting your health care provider.
  • For more information, see NCCIH’s fact sheet on rheumatoid arthritis.

Infant Development

  • The nutritional value of seafood is important during early development. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 and guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency recommend that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding eat at least 8 ounces but no more than 12 ounces of a variety of seafood each week, from choices that are lower in methyl mercury. Methyl mercury can be harmful to the brain and nervous system if a person is exposed to too much of it.
  • In 2016, AHRQ reviewed 143 studies that evaluated the effects of giving omega-3 supplements to pregnant or breastfeeding women or giving formulas with added DHA to infants. They found that when women took omega-3 supplements during pregnancy, their babies’ birth weight was slightly higher, but the risk of an undesirably low birth weight did not change. Also, when women took omega-3 supplements during pregnancy, their pregnancies lasted a little longer, but there was no effect on the risk of premature birth. Omega-3s were not found to have effects on any other aspects of the mothers’ or infants’ health or the infants’ long-term development. Aspects of the infants’ health that were not shown to be affected by omega-3s include growth after birth, visual acuity, long-term neurological and cognitive development, and the risks of autism, ADHD, learning disorders, and allergies.
  • In a study published after the AHRQ report, scientists in Denmark gave high-dose fish oil supplements or placebos to 736 pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Children born to mothers who had taken fish oil were less likely to develop asthma or persistent wheezing in early childhood, and this was most noticeable in children whose mothers had low blood levels of EPA and DHA before they started to take the supplements. However, other studies that evaluated the effects of omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy on childhood asthma risk have had inconsistent results.

Miscellaneous Conditions

  • Omega-3s have been studied for other conditions, with either inconclusive or negative results. These conditions include allergies, atopic eczema (an allergic skin condition), cystic fibrosis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), intermittent claudication (a circulatory problem), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and osteoporosis.

What Do We Know About the Safety of Omega-3s?

  • Side effects of omega-3 supplements are usually mild. 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. However, other research has shown that men who frequently eat seafood have lower prostate cancer death rates and that dietary intakes of long-chain omega-3s aren’t associated with prostate cancer risk. The reason for these apparently conflicting findings is unclear.
  • Omega-3 supplements may interact with drugs that affect blood clotting.
  • It’s uncertain whether people with seafood allergies can safely take fish oil supplements.

NCCIH-Funded Research

NCCIH is supporting research on omega-3s.

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

Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.

For More Information

NCCIH Clearinghouse

The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.

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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. Its resources include publications (such as Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know) and fact sheets on a variety of specific supplement ingredients and products (such as vitamin D and multivitamin/mineral supplements).

Information on omega-3 fatty acids

Website: https://ods.od.nih.gov/

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NIH Clinical Research Trials and You

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has created a website, NIH Clinical Research Trials and You, to help people learn about clinical trials, why they matter, and how to participate. The site includes questions and answers about clinical trials, guidance on how to find clinical trials through ClinicalTrials.gov and other resources, and stories about the personal experiences of clinical trial participants. Clinical trials are necessary to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases.

Website: https://www.nih.gov/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you

Key References

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  • Appleton KM, Sallis HM, Perry R, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for depression in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(11):CD004692. Accessed at https://www.cochranelibrary.com on November 28, 2016.
  • Aung T, Halsey J, Kromhout D, et al. Associations of omega-3 fatty acid supplement use with cardiovascular disease risks. Meta-analysis of 10 trials involving 77,917 individuals. JAMA Cardiology. 2018;3(3):225-234.
  • Balk EM, Adam GP, Langberg V, et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease: An Updated Systematic Review. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment no. 223. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2016. AHRQ publication no. 16-E002-EF.
  • Bisgaard H, Stokholm J, Chawes BL, et al. Fish oil-derived fatty acids in pregnancy and wheeze and asthma in offspring. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;375(26):2530-2539.
  • Brasky TM, Darke AK, Song X, et al. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids and prostate cancer risk in the SELECT trial. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2013;105(15):1132-1141.
  • Chew EY, Clemons TE, Agrón E, et al. Effect of omega-3 fatty acids, lutein/zeaxanthin, or other nutrient supplementation on cognitive function. The AREDS2 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2015;314(8):791-801.
  • Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study Research Group. N-3 fatty acid supplementation for the treatment of dry eye disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2018;378(18):1681-1690.
  • Grey A, Bolland M. Clinical trial evidence and use of fish oil supplements. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2014;174(3):460-462.
  • Grosso G, Pajak A, Marventano S, et al. Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of depressive disorders: a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. PLoS One. 2014;9(5):e96905.
  • He K, Song Y, Daviglus ML, et al. Accumulated evidence on fish consumption and coronary heart disease mortality: a meta-analysis of cohort studies. Circulation. 2004;109(22):2705-2711.
  • Kwak SM, Myung S-K, Lee YJ, et al. 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. 2012;172(9):686-694.
  • Lee Y-H, Bae S-C, Song G-G. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis. Archives of Medical Research. 2012;43(5):356-362.
  • Miles EA, Calder PC. Influence of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on immune function and a systematic review of their effects on clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012;107(Suppl 2):S171-S184.
  • Newberry SJ, Chung M, Booth M, et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Maternal and Child Health: An Updated Systematic Review. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 224. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2016. AHRQ publication no. 16(17)-E003-EF.
  • Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Office of Dietary Supplements website. Accessed at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/ on November 23, 2016.
  • Orchard TS, Pan X, Cheek F, et al. A systematic review of omega-3 fatty acids and osteoporosis. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012;107(Suppl 2):S253-S260.
  • Querques G, Souied EH. The role of omega-3 and micronutrients in age-related macular degeneration. Survey of Ophthalmology. 2014;59(5):532-539.
  • Rizos EC, Ntzani EE, Bika E, et al. Association between omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and risk of major cardiovascular disease events: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012;308(10):1024-1033.
  • Sublette ME, Ellis SP, Geant AL, et al. Meta-analysis of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in clinical trials in depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2011;72(12):1577-1584.
  • Sydenham E, Dangour AD, Lim WS. Omega 3 fatty acid for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012;(6):CD005379. Accessed at https://www.cochranelibrary.com on December 5, 2016.
  • Szymanski KM, Wheeler DC, Mucci LA. Fish consumption and prostate cancer risk: a review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2010;92(5):1223-1233.

Other References

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  • Bhargava R, Kumar P, Kumar M, et al. A randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome. International Journal of Ophthalmology. 2013;6(6):811-816.
  • Black LI, Clarke TC, Barnes PM, Stussman BJ, Nahin RL. Use of complementary health approaches among children aged 4?17 years in the United States: National Health Interview Survey, 2007?2012. National health statistics reports; no 78. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015.
  • Bloch MH, Qawasmi A. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2011;50(10):991-1000.
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  • Cabré E, Mañosa M, Gassull MA. Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory bowel diseases – a systematic review. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012;107(Suppl 2):S240-S252.
  • Campbell A, Price J, Hiatt WR. Omega-3 fatty acids for intermittent claudication. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;(7):CD003833. Accessed at http://www.cochranelibrary.com on November 29, 2016.
  • Casula M, Soranna D, Catapano AL, et al. 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. Atherosclerosis. Supplements. 2013;14(2):243-251.
  • Chowdhury R, Stevens S, Gorman D, et al. Association between fish consumption, long chain omega 3 fatty acids, and risk of cerebrovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2012;345:e6698.
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  • Gillies D, Sinn JK, Lad SS, et al. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012;(7):CD007986. Accessed at http://www.cochranelibrary.com on December 5, 2016.
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  • He XX, Wu XL, Chen RP, et al. Effectiveness of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2016;11(10):E0162368.
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Acknowledgments

NCCIH thanks D. Craig Hopp, Ph.D., and David Shurtleff, Ph.D., NCCIH, for their contributions to the 2018 update of this publication.

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What are the benefits of taking omega

There's strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels. There also appears to be a slight improvement in high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol, although an increase in levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol also was observed.

When should I take omega

Summary. Some evidence suggests that taking supplements that contain omega-3 with a meal that contains fat can increase absorption. As a result, people may wish to take fish oil at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, there is no correct or incorrect time to take it.

What happens if you take omega

When taken by mouth: Fish oil is likely safe for most people in doses of 3 grams or less daily. Taking more than 3 grams daily might increase the chance of bleeding. Fish oil side effects include heartburn, loose stools, and nosebleeds. Taking fish oil supplements with meals or freezing them can reduce these issues.

What organs benefit from omega

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are good for the heart. Find out why the heart-healthy benefits of eating fish usually outweigh any risks. If you're worried about your heart health, eating at least two servings of fish a week could reduce the risk of heart disease.