Fish oil and exercise both reduce fat and improve cardiovascular health. But a new study out of Austrailia suggests that fish oil health benefits may be multiplied when combined with regular exercise.
Two separate studies on Fish Oils recently concluded that it helps diverse conditions including slowing prostrate cancer and helping babies with early learning.
Fish Oil Health Benefits: Heart Disease
In the recent Austrailian study, overweight volunteers with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides were randomly assigned to one of the following interventions:
- fish oil,
- fish oil and exercise,
- sunflower oil (placebo), or
- sunflower oil and exercise.
People who supplemented with fish oil experienced lowered triglycerides, increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and improved blood vessel function. Exercise alone improved some measures of artery health. Both fish oil and exercise independently reduced body fat. The study concludes that fish oil health benefits when combined with exercise improved the effects of each on its own.
Several studies have found that taking omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil results in fewer deaths from coronary artery disease. Other studies have concluded that physical activity alone leads to relatively minor weight loss.
For more information, read Healthnotes.com FULL STORY OF THE STUDY which first appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1267–74) (See Abstract of Study)
Fish Oil Health Benefits: Slowing Prostrate Cancer
A new study with mice suggests that diets high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish might help slow prostate cancer. See Fish Oil Might Slow Prostrate Cancer
Fish Oil Health Benefits: Infant Learning Skills
Children whose mothers get enough omega-3 fatty acid during pregnancy may have sharper problem-solving skills in infancy, a small study suggests. See Prenatal Omega 3s May Boost Baby's Brainpower.
Fish Oil Benefits: Applications to Other Health Conditions
- Asthma
- Atherosclerosis
- Bipolar disorder
- Breast-feeding support
- Crohn’s disease
- High blood pressure
- High triglycerides
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Depression
- Eczema
- Heart attack

