Are Fish or Fish Oil Supplements Good for the Heart?

Five massive new trials have been published recently, randomizing tens of thousands to various formulations of fish oil supplements versus placebo.

For more on fish oil, see:
• PCBs in Children’s Fish Oil Supplements ( )
• Omega-3s and the Eskimo Fish Tale ( )
• Omega 3s, Prostate Cancer, and Atrial Fibrillation ( )
• Is Fish Oil Just Snake Oil? ( )
• Fish and Diabetes ( )
• Dietary Sources of Alkylphenol Endocrine Disruptors ( )

For more on DHA and Pregnancy ( ), check out the podcast.

Want to know my omega-3 recommendations? See my Optimum Nutrient Recommendations ( ).

New subscribers to our e-newsletter always receive a free gift. Get yours here: .

Have a question about this video? Leave it in the comment section at and someone on the NutritionFacts.org team will try to answer it.

Want to get a list of links to all the scientific sources used in this video? Click on Sources Cited at . You’ll also find a transcript and acknowledgements for the video, my blog and speaking tour schedule, and an easy way to search (by translated language even) through our videos spanning more than 2,000 health topics.

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

Captions for this video are available in several languages; you can find yours in the video settings. View important information about our translated resources:

• Subscribe:
• Donate:
• Podcast :
• Books:
• Shop:
• Facebook:
• Twitter:
• Instagram:

Leroy Johnson
 

  • @bramaxVx says:

    Fish oil is our generations snake oil

  • @helenhucker346 says:

    Thank you so much for this excellent video. Keep up the good work and sending best wishes from the UK.

  • @lonikagen2334 says:

    Let the whales have the source of fish oil.

  • @carstars says:

    Are people lacking in omega 3 and if we are deficient how to get it from whole food?

  • @genehendrix1847 says:

    There are other benefits though..
    Doesn´t Dr Greger recommend taking a daily algae based omega 3 supplement for brain health?

    • @Albopepper says:

      Yes. That’s why he downplayed the results from Anal Sci Technol 33(5):215-223. The study definitely showed that there was oxidation in the algae too. But they claimed that it was as bad as some of those fish ones. You should look at the data yourself. The algae oils were not free from oxidation. But Greger didn’t want to acknowledge that.

    • @paintb0x says:

      ​@@Albopepperhis cherry picking can be annoying at times

  • @eelkeaptroot1393 says:

    How is feeding people mineral oil even ethical or legal, what ethics commity approves these things?

  • @observingsystem says:

    I’m saving this video for the next person that tells me I’m not gonna survive my wfpb vegan diet because I don’t get fish oil. Thank you, Dr. Greger! 💚

  • @Albopepper says:

    4:07 ‘Algae was “better” than fish.’ Nice whitewashing. What you mean is, algae appeared to be statistically less bad. The algae still had oxidation too! The actual data in the study shows that pretty clearly. To avoid issues with oxidative contamination, it would be better to avoid ALL of it. 🙄

    • @urboymon says:

      The fish oil and the plant based oils all had high levels oxidation. That’s because they are all “oils” which all oils have been shown to not be good for us. We should just eat the algae and flaxseeds whole instead. Dr. Greger wasn’t whitewashing because the study did say that.

  • @Hanover-ek4jy says:

    I guess I have wasted thousands over the years on fish oil capsules?

  • @369jwillow says:

    How about covering the meta analysis that show significant metabolic, skeletal muscle, and neurological benefits of fish oil?

  • @mlgugb8965 says:

    Here’s a video with a much deeper look into the actual results as well as including as many studies as possible without biasing towards a specific dietary pattern; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX7xzzIhQgw. Much clearer explanation of the results and what particular studies actually mean and why or why not certain studies don’t/do show significance. It’s presented like a broad nutritional lecture rather than a morning news item such as this, this is just picking out catchy phrases.

  • @theaudioman4446 says:

    Thsnk you for your great informative channel, I have a positive criticism, the audio is a little low on all your videos. Thank you again Kind regards Mark

  • @DarayaVahu says:

    Is it also bad from company Now Foods?

  • @KenTurman says:

    Thank you! This was very informative! Many have moved on to fish oil for brain health. Any updates in this area of research?

  • @Schu2505 says:

    What about cancer? I’ve heard (Dr. Rhonda Patrick) that fish oil consumption lowers the cancer risk of smokers to that of non-fish oil consuming non-smokers.

  • @simon.thenutritionguy says:

    Take Chia and kiwi seeds instead.. Full of omega3 minus the risk of mercury contamination 😊

  • @elizabethmadness5277 says:

    I take chia seeds and flaxseeds everyday but when I try and take algae oil I get a poisoned feeling in my stomach so I don’t take it. Kind of wondering why I don’t hear more about this. Also get this when I try and take zinc. Is it because my diet is already clean and I am getting it already? Love anyone’s thoughts on this. I don’t take any supplements except of course B-12 fortified nutrition yeast and soy milk.

  • @SenorSS says:

    I’m so confused. Dr Rhonda Patrick says Omega 3s are crucial to good health.

  • @maraschaeffer3010 says:

    The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are crucial for brain health through all stages of life even though their value in the health of the heart has been disproved. Thankfully, omega-3 fatty acids are available from algae sources as a supplement and are especially important for vegetarians and vegans who do not eat fish. .

  • @masher1042 says:

    Taking low dose Omega 3 oil per Dr Gerger recommendation for the brain. Very hesitant to do so actually.

  • >