Health Tip

Something fishy...might be good for you

I get asked a lot of questions about fish oils.  Here’s my four line summary.  There are two types of fish oils that are important, and both are omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  These two substances are thought to have a variety of beneficial effects including such things as preventing inflammation, improving cognitive function, and protecting against heart disease.  These fatty acids accumulate in the tissues of certain fish that (i) either eat microalgae that contain them or (ii) eat smaller fish that eat microalgae.  The fact that these fatty acids come originally from plants explains why you will see them advertised on certain containers of eggs.  There is large variation in how much of these beneficial oils are contained in fish -- catfish are low, and tuna, my favorite, are pretty high.  The best way to make sure that you are getting enough is to take a daily supplement -- thought it will make you have smelly burps.  If you want to know why, here’s the official reason: The US National Institutes of Health lists three conditions for which fish oil and other omega-3 sources are most highly recommended: hypertriglyceridemia, secondary cardiovascular disease prevention and high blood pressure.