Consuming Fish And Not Fish Oil Supplements Is Associated With A Decrease In The Risk Of Stroke

An important research study published in the British Medical Journal has found that contrary to popular belief, fish oil supplements do not reduce the risk of stroke.

For their study, the researchers from Cambridge University did a meta-analysis of 38 studies involving 800,000 people living in 15 different countries. They observed that eating two to four servings of fish a week was associated with a 6 percent reduced risk of stroke compared to eating fewer servings per week. It was also seen that consuming five or more portions of oily fish per week was associated with a 12 percent decreased likelihood of suffering a stroke. No association was found between consuming fish oil supplements and the risk of stroke, which makes fish oil supplements inferior to fish.

The researchers also examined the omega 3 fatty acid levels in the blood of all the participants and found that there was no appreciable difference in the risk of stroke in participants with the highest level of omega 3 fatty acids and those with the lowest. This led the researchers to conclude that it is the nutrients other than omega 3 fatty acids present in the fish flesh that play an important role in maintaining good vascular health. 

Even the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends that people should eat fish rather than taking fish oil supplements. This is because, contrary to eating fish, taking fish oil supplements does not reduce the bad low density lipoproteins.

People from the fish oil supplement industry have advocated the use of these supplements in warding off dementia. However, a study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in June 2012 examined over 3,500 participants over the age of 65 for over 3.5 years, found that omega 3 fish oil capsules offered no benefits over placebo capsules or margarines. There was an apparent reduction in the risk of developing dementia.

Another meta-analysis of 20 studies, published in the Journal of American Medical Association, which covered over 70,000 participants, failed to find any evidence that fish oil supplements reduce the risk of heart attack.

There are many scientists who advocate eating whole fish. This is because apart from it being rich in a variety of nutrients, it satiates the appetite. So, people eating fish are less inclined to eat red meat and other unhealthy foods, as a fish dish will satisfy their appetite. This, in turn, may lead to a better health.

In general, supplements are an excellent alternative to whole foods when they are not available. Eating whole foods, and especially fresh ones, is better than popping a vitamin supplement. That is not jiust because the body is better at absorbing real foods than pills, but also because we all need calories, and the foods that offer the highest levels of nutrients are also the healthiest sources of those calories.