The majority of fish oil supplements sold in the United States make health claims that may not be supported by scientific evidence, according to a new study.
Fish oil is one of many supplements circulating in health food stores, and consumers often share their successes with this product online. Despite the many health claims surrounding fish oil, the positive effects on joints, eyes, heart, and skin are some of the benefits that are often mentioned.
But anecdotal evidence is not synonymous with scientific research.
A team of researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSMC) in Dallas, Texas, sought to clear up consumer confusion about whether fish oil has a positive impact on heart health. or not.
Ann Marie Navar, MD, PhD, study author and associate professor of cardiology at UTSMC, told Health that although consumers trust fish oil, there is little clinical data confirming its benefits for with the heart health of most people.
“Unfortunately, a number of large, randomized, placebo-controlled, high-quality trials conducted since then have shown no benefit to the general population,” she said. common in the prevention of heart disease”.
However, many supplement companies continue to make fish oil pills and liquids that are said to have positive effects on heart health. Research shows that while these claims are technically legitimate, they are largely inaccurate.1
Ultimately, research like this could lead to increased regulation by the FDA or other public health agencies to prevent consumer misinformation.
