Your videos are the best out there. As someone who has done research myself, I appreciate your bringing in multiple studies and resisting sweeping conclusions. Well done, doc!
Thank you, finally someone with no hype, who I can trust. Science background here, and I take the science very seriously. Your videos are very informative, thanks for delving into the research and doing excellent summaries. Saves the rest of us a lot of time!
Thank you, Doctor! I take fish oil because I don't eat fish often and I am a higher risk for heart disease. I was diagnosed with AFib with RVR last year and I guess I will chat with my PC and cardiologist if I should even be taking this supplement. You're the best.
I'm so pleased to hear this! My cardiologist insisted I start aspirin (I have coronary microvascular dysfunction and coronary artery spasms), so I cut back on my Omega-3 supplements, because both are blood thinners and I already bruise easily. I am going to go back to fish oil, but take less, after watching this video.
The actual incidence of Afib in the non-fish oil users was around 4.2%, while that in the fish oil users was 4.8% - this represents an absolute risk increase attributable to using fish oil of just 0.6%. Another study published in 2020 and included nearly the same group of participants as the current UK Biobank study found regular use of fish oil was associated with a 13% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 16% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, and a 7% lower risk of incident cardiovascular disease events (i.e., myocardial infarction or stroke).
A cautionary note: The majority of "fatty fish" commonly available are Farm Raised and fed all kinds of cereal/antibiotics/growth hormones and other crap to increase production and profit. Buy wild caught fish but unfortunately these types of fish are hard to find in many areas and are way more expensive.. Do your research before just assuming the fish you buy at a grocery store is all that good for you because it's usually a mixed bag of good things for you wrapped in a "bad" package.
Second comment: My anecdotal experience is: I used to have AF sometimes a decade ago and it went away for the most. A few months back I started taking 1h of Omega3 a day and after a few weeks I noticed palpitations and short bursts of what I felt when I was diagnosed with AF. I stopped the pills and the palpitations went away. I had no clue about this research then, on the contrary, my placebo mindset told me "this is good for your heart". Maybe a total coincidence, but funny that it fits.
I always find that if I listen to your videos all the way through, the questions that start popping up in my head get answered. Thanks for covering algae oil.
I've been worrying about this. So happy you covered this. I'm vegan and take 1 gram every day. Now I might lower it a little. Appreciate the clarification!
I was experiencing A Fib after taking Fish Oil tables . I stopped taking it and the A Fib went away . After a few months I tried taking Fish Oil tablets again and the A Fib came back .I was taking 1g . I now get my Omega 3 from my diet and have had no issues /no A Fib.
Me too ! It was awful so I just use ground flax and no afib. I took it for years with no problems… I think it could be chemicals to process fish oil … I am healthy, fit, thin, with no health problems but fish oil now gives me afib. I tried many times with same result .. so flax it is 🎉
@@ETERNALCYCLES No , just with fish oil tablets . I take 2 table spoons of ground flax seed everyday in my smoothie it's fine (no A Fid ) . I also eat walnuts everyday and no A Fib . I eat salmon 3 times a week and no A Fib . It's only when I take Fish oiLS Tablets that I experience A Fib .
Thank you for acknowledging algae supplementation. I don't know why these studies don't compare those to the fish oil. What if the algae oil doesn't have any side effects. It would be so cool if they could also compare those who consume a well-planned whole Food vegan diet with a regularly high intake of alpha linolenic acid rich foods like nuts and seeds. Feels like nothing's really changed still after so long. Great video, Nice update!
@@Sobchak2 Would still be interesting to compare. Chemically the same but worth a look either way. Especially with the whole foods compared such as algae and salmon.
Omega-3 EPA and DHA does have some anti-inflammatory properties, which is helpful, but they are mostly beneficial for brain and skin health. It is Omega-3 ALA which is beneficial to heart health, and that is found in abundance in flax seed but is not present in fish oil. Fish get their omega-3s from algae, so it is reasonable to expect that omega-3 in algae oil would be the same. If purchasing fish oil, look for ones that are purified to remove mercury.
Another great review Gil. You are a wonderful source to keep us balanced with the ton of studies and wild information out there. Hoping all is well with the family and hope to see your content for a very long time. All the best.
I have hated even the smell of fish since forever. I have been taking cod liver or fish oil for years but have it lemon flavored. It has seemed to help my triglyceride to HDL ratio immensely and it may be my imagination but I think it has also helped mental focus. I have tried to eat fish but I just can’t do it.
Hi, i like you podcasts, very enlightening. With regards to this podcast, I've been taking fish oil supplement (2500 mg) for 15 years. I started this after I had a heart attack. Last month I went for a complete heart check. Everything seems to be fine. Guess I belong to the lucky group.
Gil, I am quite suspicious of the reduce-it trial because it was not a true placebo control RCT since the "placebo" was mineral oil which is known to be pro-inflammatory and is likely harmful.
I used to take 5 grams fishoil per day because several UA-cam/doctor influencers said optimal DHA/EPA were 1grams each, that required me to take 5 grams overall fishoil, and I started experiencing weird heart palpitations this year even tho I been doing this for several years. My hypothesis is that it was due to oil going oxidized because I opened the capsules and oil smelled really bad. I bought another brand, opened caps, oil smelled fresh and chest discomfort went away, but came back 3 weeks later so I opened the caps again and sure enough, the oil smelled fishy again, so it went in the garbage can. I don't want to waste more money on fish oil now, these caps go bad after few weeks even if they are in the refrigerator.
I'm 63 and eat a healthy diet and exercise 5 days a week. I eat salmon and tuna every week and take fish oil supplement every day. I brought my cholesterol down from 220 to 130. Works for me.
Why do you contribute that result to consuming fish oil and fish? It can have nothing to do with it. Excercise and diet alone can achieve such score. My total cholesterol is 80 and I don't supplement fish oil nor eat fish. Such claims don't mean anything. Just pointing out.
I'd be careful with fish. They carry lots of microplastics, heavy metals and other toxins. There was a meta analysis not long ago that concluded replacing even "healthy" fish with plant protein reflected positively in health markers. Algae supplementation is basically just fish oil but it has no toxins. It's more expensive though.
I've cut my dose to 1000mg twice a week, since seeing the Afib news. I've been taking FO for 30+ years. It's definitely helped my blood #s. I do have bouts of Afib and flutter. So seeing this latest news has me perplexed.
I had high triglycerides (over 1600) and was prescribed Lovasa, 4 capsules a day (generic equivalent) years ago, to help in lowing them. My continual shift in diet I feel was more the cure for the problem, but the only reaction I got from taking this, was if I bumped my arm on something I'd get broken capillaries. My triglycerides were down to 88 and I asked my doctor if I could stop taking the medicinal fish oil, my concern was I could get internal bleeding. I take a lower does of fish oil now instead of the prescription and no problems anymore.
I was a long-term taker of fish oil supplements, and i always noticed i had slight AF, but i just dismissed it. After this study, i stopped taking them, and the AF has pretty much gone. I won't be taking it again. I just eat fish within my diet.
What I think keeps getting lost in all the discussion of Omega 3s and CVD is the risks/benefits in terms of brain health. Neither my husband nor I are at high risk for CVD, but we have some family histories of dementia and mental illness to contend with, so we take algae oil. Are we off base on this? I'd love to see more on the research regarding brain health rather than CVD. As always, great content, Gil!
Thank you- I really needed this! I’m a vegetarian who takes low dose algae derived DHA/DPA supplements. When the link between atrial fibrillation and fish oil came up, I wondered if I should stop those supplements.
Very good video that was clear and well nuanced, ending with good answers to what an individual might do, given what we know and how well we know it. Thanks, Gil, for all you do. Would you consider a video specifically about your diet (and any supplements) - What do you eat/take and why? I think given your knowledge and background, a talk about your choices would be helpful!
Comparison between the Sacha Inchi Oil and the Fish Oil I. The process of obtaining the supplies The Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia Volubilis Linneo ) is a seed obtained through the cultivation in organic earth located in the Central Forest of the Peru in medium altitudes and it implies all the corresponding agricultural works. The required extension area is related to the amount of production that is desired to obtain, 1 Ha of earth produces 1000 Kg of seed in the first year, then, the production increases gradually until the 3rd year, when it reaches its maximum productivity, the first harvest is achieved after 10 months; to obtain 1Kg of oil it is required an average of 6 Kg of seed. At the moment exists little seed offer in relation to the demand; The oil production does not yet reach important volumes due to the fact that it is a new product, and it will take its value in the market as the demand increases and the cultivation areas expand. The fish - usually fish of cold water - is the supply of the fishmeal and the remaining oil constitutes a sub-product which is directly encapsulated (softgels), or it is used as a base -deodorized - to elaborate other products, such as snacks, cookies, candies, tofees, etc”¦, which already have a wide established market since many years ago. II. Oil obtaining Process The Sacha Inchi is an organic vegetable product which content goes through an extraction process in cold, to be converted into an extravirgen oil, allowing the human being to count with a product which enables him to metabolize his own omegas (precursory acids O-6, O-3, and O-9), creating in consequence a natural order. The fish oil, having an animal origin offers the human being the O-3, metabolized by the said organism which was used as supplier source in the process of the oil production; the source precursor is the plankton. III.Comparison among their main components The Sacha Inchi has over 47% more content of linolenic acid, the O·3 precursor The fish oil has from 22% to 33% of O·3, being the anchovy the best fish for the O·3 Oil. Due to the fact, that the Sacha Inchi contains the precursor a-linolenic in superior quantity, it is able to produce more EPA and DHA (Omega 3), than any other fish and it offers an ideal combination of O·3 (in more content), besides the O.6 and O.9. The Sacha Inchi has 3.85% of Palmitic acid and 0.0% of Palmitic-oleic. & nbsp; The Anchovy has 19.9% of Palmitic acid and 10.5% of Palmitic-oleic. A less content of these components better for the human body. The Sacha Inchi has 93.69% of Unsaturated Fatty Acids. The fish oils can contain from 65% to 77% Unsaturated Fatty Acids. The higher percentage makes it more favourable to the health. The Sacha Inchi has 6.4% of Saturated Fatty Acids. The fish oils can contain from 22% to 35% of Saturated Fatty Acids. The lowest percentage of saturated fatty is the most healthy. The smell and the flavor of the Sacha Inchi is like the nature and similar to the beans. The smell and the flavor of the fish oil is well known. When a person takes softgels of fish oil may belchs the fish flavor. The complementary process to eliminate the characteristic smell and flavor of the Sacha Inchi Oil and the development of the sub-products with flavor discretion (final product), is already a reality and slowly, but in a progressive and sustained way they will occupy a higher level in the market to those products, which are elaborated on basis of fish oil, due to their superior characteristics. IV. Conclusion ALL THIS MEANS THAT SACHA INCHI OIL, IS THE PRECURSOR SOURCE OF O·3 (WITH AN IDEAL COMBINATION OF O·6 AND O·9) OF VEGETABLE AND ORGANIC ORIGIN ALLOWS THE HUMAN BEING TO METABOLIZE THEIR OWN O·3, BECOMING A VERY SUPERIOR HEALTH PRODUCT IN RELATION TO THE FISH OILS WHICH CONTAINS O·3.
Well, omega 3 thins the blood also, with all the risk that follows with that so moderation is the key. If you don't eat a lot of fish then omega 3 supplementation makes sense. I choose krill oil since it has less toxins than fish oil.
Hi Gil, Can you please make a video to review the evidence available regarding Omega3 (fish consumption not supplementation) and prostate cancer? Thank you so much for the great, unbiased content you provide.
I believe those larger studies showed aFib risk from omega 3 intake varied by vagal tone. Low vagal tone had few aFib issues, high vagal tone (low resting HR ect) saw most of the increased risk with omega 3 supplementation.
@@dikiprayogo9709 Sorry, I know of no safe effective ways to consistently reset very high or low vagal tone beyond the rare case of high tone due to extreme amounts of aerobic training. Those folks could decrease training levels.
Interesting. I was facing with some afib symphoms and suplementing 500EPA 750DHA every day. Since begining of spring cut it to one dose 250/500 and any symphtomps just stopped. It wasnt because I heard about side effects of O3 - just decided to lower my dose. Now it's second month since I dont suplement it anymore, but from time to time I consume some tasty fish. None of afib sympthoms anymore to this day.
The body does convert the ALA in the sources you described to EPA/DHA , although in very small doses. There is also strong evidence that unsaturated fats have a separate absorption pathway from saturated fats. In other words, walnuts are very healthy, but fight fish oil for absorption, whilst providing way less of the EPA/DHA benefit. That steak on the other hand, may not be that healthy in comparison, but barely interferes with a EPA/DHA absorption from a supplement. Due to the low conversion rate of ALA to EPA/DHA, the amount of walnuts you'd need to generate a EPA/DHA load akin to a fish oil supplement is very high. It's probably not healthy to eat that many nuts for other reasons. The overall situation is nuanced.
Omega 3 precursors (compounds body must convert) to EPA/DHA like in walnuts, etc are not converted as well as one gets older (and depending on other fats you eat).
They’re good sources, but contain different types of omega 3 fatty acids. If you want the same type, get an algae supplement, cause fish get the omega 3s into their system by eating algae
As far as I know, Flax/Chia/nuts are a source of ALA, which is a precursor of actual Omega 3 (EPA/DHA) and is converted at a very low percentage. So seems to me it will be unlikely to cause Omega 3 type reactions.
Another thing that goes back and forth. One day you must take it (up to 4,000 IU a day) and the next day it's no good for you. I take a plant based EPA/DHA because I am allergic to seafood. I live in a place that only has 3 months of summer sun, so I take 3,000 IU a day. Now, should I be lowering that to 500? Who and what are you supposed to believe anymore?
True. But the thing is no one really can tell you that. At least with 100% confidence. Including your doctors and Gil even more as he doesn't know your medical and family history. Intermittent intake sounds good to me but I'm just a random layperson. Edit: How could I miss you were using IU instead of mg... 😅
Might explain my tendency to heart palpitations lately..? My heart race much easier when I'm stressed out. Still my mental health is better than ever in my life, nothing wrong with it. But my heart speeds when I'm going to sleep. My thyroid has been somewhat over functioning from time to time though.
Yup. Seems like a fool's errand to try and optimize diet to this degree when dietitians can easily flip-flop on what they were so confidently advocating for just yesterday.
@Nutrition Made Simple!: Here's an idea for another video: Arsenic levels in rice and how relevant they are for human health or Phytic acid: Good, bad or irrelevant? Does soaking seeds and nuts actually do anything?
I started taking fish oil because I read an article saying it can reduce rage. Idk if it's the pre-menopause, but I get this rage from the depths of hell!!! Hasn't been a month yet, but it seems to be helping so far. Can you speak on this please?
Yes, fish oil supplements did give me arrythmia, or atrial tachycardia. I was on statins, which eventually poisoned me, but because they gave me joint pain and swelling I was advised to take fish oil supplements. I did this for many years, but between the statins and the fish oil I became extremely ill. Now I have given both up and after 5 months I am finally feeling normal again, and managing my cholestrol with diet, which includes oily fish one to two times a week.
I'm on a high level of Methadone for Chronic Pain. This medication in high doses can cause Atrial Fibrillation so I have to have an ECG once a year to make sure I'm not developing this condition. I also monitor my heart doing an ECG with my Apple Watch, regularly too. I have been taking 4,000mg of Fish Oil under advice of my doctor to counteract the problems I have with my bowels due to my Spinal Cord injury and I have had 0 issues with Atrial Fibrillation doing this for a number of years now. I just thought I'd let you know because if anyone is going to develop Atrial Fibrillation it would be me due to my high risk for it.
@@SupremeODMG Yes because your Electrical Rhythm will not look right. Same with valves that aren't sealing or hearts that have had a mild to severe heart attack. This all shows up in ECG patterns.
I would say that the benefits still outweight the risks. Just like mountainbiking carries the risk of breaking bones and you can defnitely show a higher risk for that you still get a lot of benefits of doing sports.
@@EbonyPope Absolutely, and also I would add that just because this is working for me doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. I just wanted to add my unique position to the conversation because I’m already at a high risk for Atrial Fibrillation so one would think I would experience it first taking such a high amount of Fish Oil for my bowel issue created by my spinal cord injury. I think there is more at play in peoples diet that combined with the fish oil or some other health issue underlying that might be the actual issue rather than the fish oil alone.
Another nuanced and informative video, thank you sir! I do wonder whether or not fish oils are still worth taking in general due to the supposed health benefits for the brain?
I've tried many brands, but whenever I take omega-3 I feel weird and sick, I reduced my supplementation to a single capsule only twice a week, to avoid any noticeable side effects.
Would be cool to know is this about DHA/EPA or fish oil itself, how does it compare to algae-based oils. And what about ALA? There is so little info about ALA, compared to DHA/EPA.
ALA gets converted to EPA/DHA at very low ratios. As far as I'm aware, positive health effects boil down to the EPA/DHA. That does not make ALA bad, it's just way harder to get a significant effect in a study without feeding a person absurd amounts of ALA.
AFAIK (might be inaccurate) DHA/EPA in fish bioaccumulates from some species of algae, so effectively algae oil is kind of just skipping elements in the food chain. also "algae oil" sounds generic but commercially, as i understand it, it's apparently only viable to produce it via some specific types of micro-algae. i'm _guessing_ it wouldn't matter in the trials whether fish oil or algae oil would be used since it's the same molecule 🤷♂
Many people get confused by the numbers. We should not conflate the FISH OIL number on the front of the bottle, say 1000 mg and the OMEGA -3 number (on the front or back of the bottle) say 300 mg omega-3. Only part of that number is what we're after. Only part of that Omega-3 is the vital elements called EPA and DHA which could add up to only 250 mg. So when it is suggested you take 1000 mg it is referring to that last group, EPA and DHA. So I take 4 Softgels, 250 x4 = 1000 mg EPA and DHA,. Thats 4, 1000mg of FISH oil totaling 4,000 mg FISH OIL but only 1,000 mg EPA/DHA.... Am I correct???
Thanks, i reacted instantly to this news by taking smaller sips of strong fish oil. I started taking it earlier together with the protein meal when it is supposedly more effective. Taking it away from bedtime may have improved my sws also
Dr would you consider the quality of the fish oil a factor in risk? Rancid fish oil might be common in over the counter products. Is there a fib risk in eating whole fish instead?
I’m sorry to throw in a tangent in the comments but I can’t see where else to ask. Would you consider a video about CoQ10 supplements, please? You may have addressed it in a previous statin video but I couldn’t find the info. Hopefully the many statin users would be interested too. For me,I live with ME/CFS and many studies indicate one of the metabolic changes is lowered CoQ10. There’s no treatment for this condition and I’m among the many who desperately try supplements (I have a doctorate in Biology so I’m not an idiot, just very very desperate) There are many like me, especially if you group in the long Covid people.
@@toseltreps1101 Dietary cholesterol is only a small fraction of our body's cholesterol. Most of it it's produced by your liver. You can be as thin as Olive Oyl and still have high cholesterol.
2 questions: -Were the omega 3 supplements tested or could they have been some bootleg engine oil capsules? -Were the omega 3 supplements stored correctly, or were they exposed to heat and/or sunlight?
I have low risk of heart problems both in tests & family history, but my eye doctor told me to take 2-3g of fish oil for my chronic dry eyes syndrome & it has helped tremendously. 40 yrs old & working out 4-5 days a week since i was 18. You think its not worth the risk to take 2 potent fish oils per day? I don’t eat fish in general & my diet is high protein high fiber
What are your opinions on the risk of oxidation of omega 3 supplements? Seems to be a relatively common occurence and one that is not always super easy to detect. Could it possibly be contributing to some of these side effects?
Hey, another great video! I was wondering if there were any attempts to explain how large doses of EPA/DHA could induce an AFIB episode? If you've across any such theories could you share it with us?
I had been eating one can of oily fish (sardines, herring, kipper etc) a week for the last five years & sporadically before that. Until I saw a documentary about Chernobyl & realized the fallout plume squarely hit the Baltic Sea where my fish originates. I researched evidence of contamination but could find nothing. If anyone knows the answer please speak up?
I'd be interested whether vegans who eat lots of ALA omega-3 benefit from an algae supplement. I take them currently but I don't really know how much good they're doing me.
Complicated subject! I had been taking the Costco TruNature EPA/DHEA product (600 EPA/300 DHEA) for a while but have temporarily discontinued largely due to this study. Of course, I have preexisting cardiovascular issues. I have replaced it at least temporarily with very high doses (3,750 mg) of aged garlic. My worry in using both would be blood-bleeds in the brain - which is one of the dangers of going too far to thin the blood. I've also taken a low dose of Nattokinese for years. Recent research that I've come across on UA-cam seems to be suggesting that large doses (either 11,000 or 22,000 - not fully clear on this) of Nattokinese taken twice daily (due to the supplement's half-life...) is capable of removing plaque from arteries. That Vascepa study conducted by company a few years back, combining large dosages of EPA-only with a statin drug also claimed to be capable of removing preexisting plaque from arteries. What to believe? I don't know. It would seem to me that for patients with significant coronary artery buildup, removing preexisting plaque would be the ideal.
Thanks for the update. I'm wondering if there have been any studies comparing Omega-3 precursors to DHA/EPA supplementation, or even just looking at these precursors without comparing them to another intervention, in terms of cardiovascular outcomes. Speaking of course about ALA (either in supplement form, or in foods like flax meal, hemp seed meal, or chia seeds). I was diagnosed with heart disease over 10 years ago and went plant-based about 7 years ago, and at that time I went on the strict Esselstyn diet, which I later moderated off of, but still continue to eat plant-based, and take in about 2 tbsp of flaxmeal per day. I've tried algae oil on occasion but never sustained it possibly because I detected feeling a bit "off" when taking it, although it could have been psychological, or unrelated, who knows. I take a statin and am in generally good health with no known cardiovascular events for over 5 years now, low LDL for that time period as well. I haven't heard of such studies with ALA supplements or foods and I really wish there was something that might definitely say whether this was of a benefit at all or completely useless (at least in terms of prevention of secondary events).
What about the benefits of fish oil for mental health and joint health? Seems like there are a lot more benefits of higher dose fish oil than there are risks
I take ALGAL (algae) supplements for DHA. They don't supply much EPA, so I take fish oil pills. If I could afford salmon once a day, I'd take no supplements. Special note: properly farmed Atlantic salmon is the cleanest, most sustainable and highest source of omega 3, IF FARMED PROPERLY! Unfortunately most farmed fish is done wrong.
That's interesting, thanks. Always thought I want at least 1g of combined, EPA and DHA per day. Would be interesting to see studies that also check for omega-3 index and whether there's a correlation.
Gil, what about flaxseed oil as a source of omega 3s? Since developing consistent PVCs over the winter, I cleaned up my diet and started taking 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily. Any studies done on that? Keep up the excellent content!
It contains omega 3 ALA which converts poorly to EPA/DHA. Careful with flaxseed oil - it can become rancid before you get to the end of the bottle! I switched to seeds.
I eat a can of sardines every other day and a krill oil supplement capsul every morning. Both for the same reason: because I feel I have to for my health, not for taste. Sardines because they have the lowest mercury, lowest price, lowest effort to prepare. I just wolf it down at the beginning of dinner and hope the rest of dinner will wipe out the fishy aftertaste. Speaking of taste, this is the rare food that I seek out brands with spicey additives to again help hide the taste of fish. Usually I don't buy the spicy version of packaged foods because I wonder if they are trying to hide something and I add my fav spice at home.
I love your nuanced approach to these claims, rather than the kneejerk reactions we commonly see online. Nothing is black and white!
Exactly!
So refreshing!
Your videos are the best out there. As someone who has done research myself, I appreciate your bringing in multiple studies and resisting sweeping conclusions. Well done, doc!
Thank you, finally someone with no hype, who I can trust. Science background here, and I take the science very seriously. Your videos are very informative, thanks for delving into the research and doing excellent summaries. Saves the rest of us a lot of time!
Gil, you explain things so beautifully. We are so very lucky to have you!
Thank you, Doctor! I take fish oil because I don't eat fish often and I am a higher risk for heart disease. I was diagnosed with AFib with RVR last year and I guess I will chat with my PC and cardiologist if I should even be taking this supplement. You're the best.
This seems to go back to the old pharmacology saying in my uni days “no efficacy without toxicity”.
I'm so pleased to hear this! My cardiologist insisted I start aspirin (I have coronary microvascular dysfunction and coronary artery spasms), so I cut back on my Omega-3 supplements, because both are blood thinners and I already bruise easily. I am going to go back to fish oil, but take less, after watching this video.
The actual incidence of Afib in the non-fish oil users was around 4.2%, while that in the fish oil users was 4.8% - this represents an absolute risk increase attributable to using fish oil of just 0.6%. Another study published in 2020 and included nearly the same group of participants as the current UK Biobank study found regular use of fish oil was associated with a 13% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 16% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, and a 7% lower risk of incident cardiovascular disease events (i.e., myocardial infarction or stroke).
I really hope this works out for you in the style you do these videos. This actually provides value and saves me time
Same here
I like short and sweet rather than stock video clips that may add polish but not value.
A cautionary note: The majority of "fatty fish" commonly available are Farm Raised and fed all kinds of cereal/antibiotics/growth hormones and other crap to increase production and profit. Buy wild caught fish but unfortunately these types of fish are hard to find in many areas and are way more expensive.. Do your research before just assuming the fish you buy at a grocery store is all that good for you because it's usually a mixed bag of good things for you wrapped in a "bad" package.
Second comment: My anecdotal experience is: I used to have AF sometimes a decade ago and it went away for the most. A few months back I started taking 1h of Omega3 a day and after a few weeks I noticed palpitations and short bursts of what I felt when I was diagnosed with AF. I stopped the pills and the palpitations went away. I had no clue about this research then, on the contrary, my placebo mindset told me "this is good for your heart". Maybe a total coincidence, but funny that it fits.
I always find that if I listen to your videos all the way through, the questions that start popping up in my head get answered. Thanks for covering algae oil.
Why put an apostrophe in "video's"? Video's what? What is your meaning?
@@Fitzrovialitter Why worry about a little typo?
@@FitzrovialitterSorry for the confusion. I chose the wrong predictive.
Exactly! Right when I think it, he answers it!
I've been worrying about this. So happy you covered this. I'm vegan and take 1 gram every day. Now I might lower it a little. Appreciate the clarification!
I'm vegan too. What do you take?
You take 1 gram of what?
@@grego4835 cocaine
Okay but if you take fish oil capsules you're not vegan. just saying.
@@grego4835 omega-3? Should be fairly clear from context of the video
I was experiencing A Fib after taking Fish Oil tables . I stopped taking it and the A Fib went away . After a few months I tried taking Fish Oil tablets again and the A Fib came back .I was taking 1g . I now get my Omega 3 from my diet and have had no issues /no A Fib.
Me too ! It was awful so I just use ground flax and no afib. I took it for years with no problems… I think it could be chemicals to process fish oil … I am healthy, fit, thin, with no health problems but fish oil now gives me afib. I tried many times with same result .. so flax it is 🎉
do you get it from fish or things like flax
@@ETERNALCYCLES No , just with fish oil tablets . I take 2 table spoons of ground flax seed everyday in my smoothie it's fine (no A Fid ) . I also eat walnuts everyday and no A Fib . I eat salmon 3 times a week and no A Fib . It's only when I take Fish oiLS Tablets that I experience A Fib .
@@davidtodd894 Hi David, do you track the A Fib from smart watch? How long after you take the fish oils the A Fib happen?
Also got heart palps from a fish oil supp but not from seafood or ahiflower supp
Thank you for acknowledging algae supplementation. I don't know why these studies don't compare those to the fish oil. What if the algae oil doesn't have any side effects.
It would be so cool if they could also compare those who consume a well-planned whole Food vegan diet with a regularly high intake of alpha linolenic acid rich foods like nuts and seeds.
Feels like nothing's really changed still after so long. Great video, Nice update!
Chemically they are pretty much the same thing, DHA and EPA.
@@Sobchak2 yeah, except fish oil is more likely to have bioaccumulated environmental toxins, hurts animals needlessly, and is gravely unsustainable
@@Sobchak2 Would still be interesting to compare. Chemically the same but worth a look either way. Especially with the whole foods compared such as algae and salmon.
Nutrition never turns out to be simple, but that doesn't matter. I'm really here for accurate information.
Great info. I've been taking Algae oil for years and yes it does raise your EPA/DHA.
Omega-3 EPA and DHA does have some anti-inflammatory properties, which is helpful, but they are mostly beneficial for brain and skin health. It is Omega-3 ALA which is beneficial to heart health, and that is found in abundance in flax seed but is not present in fish oil. Fish get their omega-3s from algae, so it is reasonable to expect that omega-3 in algae oil would be the same. If purchasing fish oil, look for ones that are purified to remove mercury.
Another great review Gil. You are a wonderful source to keep us balanced with the ton of studies and wild information out there. Hoping all is well with the family and hope to see your content for a very long time. All the best.
If some is good, more is not necessarily better, and too much is almost always bad.
I have hated even the smell of fish since forever. I have been taking cod liver or fish oil for years but have it lemon flavored. It has seemed to help my triglyceride to HDL ratio immensely and it may be my imagination but I think it has also helped mental focus.
I have tried to eat fish but I just can’t do it.
Algues oil capsules
Well done. Thanks for adding clarity.
Hi, i like you podcasts, very enlightening. With regards to this podcast, I've been taking fish oil supplement (2500 mg) for 15 years. I started this after I had a heart attack. Last month I went for a complete heart check. Everything seems to be fine. Guess I belong to the lucky group.
Gil, I am quite suspicious of the reduce-it trial because it was not a true placebo control RCT since the "placebo" was mineral oil which is known to be pro-inflammatory and is likely harmful.
Thank you so much for this comprehensive overview. I was hoping you would do this video when almost everybody else ran with one piece of data. 🙏🏻
"One piece of data" is called a datum.
I used to take 5 grams fishoil per day because several UA-cam/doctor influencers said optimal DHA/EPA were 1grams each, that required me to take 5 grams overall fishoil, and I started experiencing weird heart palpitations this year even tho I been doing this for several years.
My hypothesis is that it was due to oil going oxidized because I opened the capsules and oil smelled really bad. I bought another brand, opened caps, oil smelled fresh and chest discomfort went away, but came back 3 weeks later so I opened the caps again and sure enough, the oil smelled fishy again, so it went in the garbage can.
I don't want to waste more money on fish oil now, these caps go bad after few weeks even if they are in the refrigerator.
I'm 63 and eat a healthy diet and exercise 5 days a week. I eat salmon and tuna every week and take fish oil supplement every day. I brought my cholesterol down from 220 to 130. Works for me.
Why do you contribute that result to consuming fish oil and fish? It can have nothing to do with it. Excercise and diet alone can achieve such score. My total cholesterol is 80 and I don't supplement fish oil nor eat fish. Such claims don't mean anything. Just pointing out.
@billh4285 I'm 67 and my blood pressure came down. The only thing different I did was start taking fish oil capsules. I'm with you. Works for me.
Me too! I take Cod liver oil everyday. Still healthy, no heart problems....🤔
Happy birthday. I’m 64 years old and eat healthy.
I'd be careful with fish. They carry lots of microplastics, heavy metals and other toxins.
There was a meta analysis not long ago that concluded replacing even "healthy" fish with plant protein reflected positively in health markers.
Algae supplementation is basically just fish oil but it has no toxins. It's more expensive though.
I've cut my dose to 1000mg twice a week, since seeing the Afib news. I've been taking FO for 30+ years. It's definitely helped my blood #s. I do have bouts of Afib and flutter. So seeing this latest news has me perplexed.
If you've been taking it 30+ years without any instances of atrial fibrillation, then you're fine. Lol
I had high triglycerides (over 1600) and was prescribed Lovasa, 4 capsules a day (generic equivalent) years ago, to help in lowing them. My continual shift in diet I feel was more the cure for the problem, but the only reaction I got from taking this, was if I bumped my arm on something I'd get broken capillaries. My triglycerides were down to 88 and I asked my doctor if I could stop taking the medicinal fish oil, my concern was I could get internal bleeding. I take a lower does of fish oil now instead of the prescription and no problems anymore.
Interesting. I stumbled upon a study maybe two decades ago which said Eskimos have lower chance of heart disease but higher chance for stroke.
I use to take fish oil every day and ended up with heart palpitations and headaches so I’d say that study is spot on
Hi, may I know how much fish oil did you take daily?
Yes, your one person anecdotal claim proves it.
Me too
I was a long-term taker of fish oil supplements, and i always noticed i had slight AF, but i just dismissed it. After this study, i stopped taking them, and the AF has pretty much gone. I won't be taking it again. I just eat fish within my diet.
What I think keeps getting lost in all the discussion of Omega 3s and CVD is the risks/benefits in terms of brain health. Neither my husband nor I are at high risk for CVD, but we have some family histories of dementia and mental illness to contend with, so we take algae oil. Are we off base on this? I'd love to see more on the research regarding brain health rather than CVD. As always, great content, Gil!
Thank you- I really needed this! I’m a vegetarian who takes low dose algae derived DHA/DPA supplements. When the link between atrial fibrillation and fish oil came up, I wondered if I should stop those supplements.
Your not taking fish oil though, you’re getting it from where the fish get it from, straight from the source 😊
Very good video that was clear and well nuanced, ending with good answers to what an individual might do, given what we know and how well we know it. Thanks, Gil, for all you do.
Would you consider a video specifically about your diet (and any supplements) - What do you eat/take and why? I think given your knowledge and background, a talk about your choices would be helpful!
Comparison between
the Sacha Inchi Oil and the Fish Oil
I. The process of obtaining the supplies
The Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia Volubilis Linneo ) is a seed obtained through the cultivation in organic earth located in the Central Forest of the Peru in medium altitudes and it implies all the corresponding agricultural works. The required extension area is related to the amount of production that is desired to obtain, 1 Ha of earth produces 1000 Kg of seed in the first year, then, the production increases gradually until the 3rd year, when it reaches its maximum productivity, the first harvest is achieved after 10 months; to obtain 1Kg of oil it is required an average of 6 Kg of seed. At the moment exists little seed offer in relation to the demand; The oil production does not yet reach important volumes due to the fact that it is a new product, and it will take its value in the market as the demand increases and the cultivation areas expand.
The fish - usually fish of cold water - is the supply of the fishmeal and the remaining oil constitutes a sub-product which is directly encapsulated (softgels), or it is used as a base -deodorized - to elaborate other products, such as snacks, cookies, candies, tofees, etc”¦, which already have a wide established market since many years ago.
II. Oil obtaining Process
The Sacha Inchi is an organic vegetable product which content goes through an extraction process in cold, to be converted into an extravirgen oil, allowing the human being to count with a product which enables him to metabolize his own omegas (precursory acids O-6, O-3, and O-9), creating in consequence a natural order.
The fish oil, having an animal origin offers the human being the O-3, metabolized by the said organism which was used as supplier source in the process of the oil production; the source precursor is the plankton.
III.Comparison among their main components
The Sacha Inchi has over 47% more content of linolenic acid, the O·3 precursor The fish oil has from 22% to 33% of O·3, being the anchovy the best fish for the O·3 Oil.
Due to the fact, that the Sacha Inchi contains the precursor a-linolenic in superior quantity, it is able to produce more EPA and DHA (Omega 3), than any other fish and it offers an ideal combination of O·3 (in more content), besides the O.6 and O.9.
The Sacha Inchi has 3.85% of Palmitic acid and 0.0% of Palmitic-oleic. & nbsp;
The Anchovy has 19.9% of Palmitic acid and 10.5% of Palmitic-oleic.
A less content of these components better for the human body.
The Sacha Inchi has 93.69% of Unsaturated Fatty Acids.
The fish oils can contain from 65% to 77% Unsaturated Fatty Acids.
The higher percentage makes it more favourable to the health.
The Sacha Inchi has 6.4% of Saturated Fatty Acids.
The fish oils can contain from 22% to 35% of Saturated Fatty Acids.
The lowest percentage of saturated fatty is the most healthy.
The smell and the flavor of the Sacha Inchi is like the nature and similar to the beans.
The smell and the flavor of the fish oil is well known. When a person takes softgels of fish oil may belchs the fish flavor.
The complementary process to eliminate the characteristic smell and flavor of the Sacha Inchi Oil and the development of the sub-products with flavor discretion (final product), is already a reality and slowly, but in a progressive and sustained way they will occupy a higher level in the market to those products, which are elaborated on basis of fish oil, due to their superior characteristics.
IV. Conclusion
ALL THIS MEANS THAT SACHA INCHI OIL, IS THE PRECURSOR SOURCE OF O·3 (WITH AN IDEAL COMBINATION OF O·6 AND O·9) OF VEGETABLE AND ORGANIC ORIGIN ALLOWS THE HUMAN BEING TO METABOLIZE THEIR OWN O·3, BECOMING A VERY SUPERIOR HEALTH PRODUCT IN RELATION TO THE FISH OILS WHICH CONTAINS O·3.
Well, omega 3 thins the blood also, with all the risk that follows with that so moderation is the key. If you don't eat a lot of fish then omega 3 supplementation makes sense. I choose krill oil since it has less toxins than fish oil.
I gives me heartburn thats for sure and thats with low dose.
Oh wow! I've had Atrial Fibrillation. I'm not taking fish oil again.
I take it for inflammation. Have ankylosing spondylitis
Hi Gil,
Can you please make a video to review the evidence available regarding Omega3 (fish consumption not supplementation) and prostate cancer?
Thank you so much for the great, unbiased content you provide.
I believe those larger studies showed aFib risk from omega 3 intake varied by vagal tone. Low vagal tone had few aFib issues, high vagal tone (low resting HR ect) saw most of the increased risk with omega 3 supplementation.
Do you have any tips for low vagal tone? If you don't mind, would you like to share it. Thank you
@@dikiprayogo9709 Sorry, I know of no safe effective ways to consistently reset very high or low vagal tone beyond the rare case of high tone due to extreme amounts of aerobic training. Those folks could decrease training levels.
Interesting. I was facing with some afib symphoms and suplementing 500EPA 750DHA every day. Since begining of spring cut it to one dose 250/500 and any symphtomps just stopped. It wasnt because I heard about side effects of O3 - just decided to lower my dose. Now it's second month since I dont suplement it anymore, but from time to time I consume some tasty fish. None of afib sympthoms anymore to this day.
is it safe to eat a lot of salmon?
@@frv6610 Most of the time I eat oven roasted mackerel as it's seems to be the best choice.
How about vegetable sources of Omega 3's like walnuts, flax, and chia?
Especially for people who didn't want to use fishies.
The body does convert the ALA in the sources you described to EPA/DHA , although in very small doses. There is also strong evidence that unsaturated fats have a separate absorption pathway from saturated fats. In other words, walnuts are very healthy, but fight fish oil for absorption, whilst providing way less of the EPA/DHA benefit. That steak on the other hand, may not be that healthy in comparison, but barely interferes with a EPA/DHA absorption from a supplement. Due to the low conversion rate of ALA to EPA/DHA, the amount of walnuts you'd need to generate a EPA/DHA load akin to a fish oil supplement is very high. It's probably not healthy to eat that many nuts for other reasons. The overall situation is nuanced.
Omega 3 precursors (compounds body must convert) to EPA/DHA like in walnuts, etc are not converted as well as one gets older (and depending on other fats you eat).
They’re good sources, but contain different types of omega 3 fatty acids. If you want the same type, get an algae supplement, cause fish get the omega 3s into their system by eating algae
YES!
As far as I know, Flax/Chia/nuts are a source of ALA, which is a precursor of actual Omega 3 (EPA/DHA) and is converted at a very low percentage. So seems to me it will be unlikely to cause Omega 3 type reactions.
What is the omega 3/fish oil actually doing to the heart that causes the problems?
Also is there anything about the micro plastics found fish oils?
Another thing that goes back and forth. One day you must take it (up to 4,000 IU a day) and the next day it's no good for you. I take a plant based EPA/DHA because I am allergic to seafood. I live in a place that only has 3 months of summer sun, so I take 3,000 IU a day. Now, should I be lowering that to 500? Who and what are you supposed to believe anymore?
True.
But the thing is no one really can tell you that. At least with 100% confidence. Including your doctors and Gil even more as he doesn't know your medical and family history.
Intermittent intake sounds good to me but I'm just a random layperson.
Edit:
How could I miss you were using IU instead of mg... 😅
sounds like you're asking about vitamin D, not omega 3s? vitamin D is often measured in IUs and relates to sunlight exposure
Might explain my tendency to heart palpitations lately..? My heart race much easier when I'm stressed out. Still my mental health is better than ever in my life, nothing wrong with it. But my heart speeds when I'm going to sleep. My thyroid has been somewhat over functioning from time to time though.
Yup. Seems like a fool's errand to try and optimize diet to this degree when dietitians can easily flip-flop on what they were so confidently advocating for just yesterday.
3000 IU of what?
@Nutrition Made Simple!: Here's an idea for another video:
Arsenic levels in rice and how relevant they are for human health
or
Phytic acid: Good, bad or irrelevant? Does soaking seeds and nuts actually do anything?
Great info! Many thanks for sharing Dr Carvalho
I started taking fish oil because I read an article saying it can reduce rage.
Idk if it's the pre-menopause, but I get this rage from the depths of hell!!!
Hasn't been a month yet, but it seems to be helping so far.
Can you speak on this please?
Yes, fish oil supplements did give me arrythmia, or atrial tachycardia. I was on statins, which eventually poisoned me, but because they gave me joint pain and swelling I was advised to take fish oil supplements. I did this for many years, but between the statins and the fish oil I became extremely ill. Now I have given both up and after 5 months I am finally feeling normal again, and managing my cholestrol with diet, which includes oily fish one to two times a week.
I'm on a high level of Methadone for Chronic Pain. This medication in high doses can cause Atrial Fibrillation so I have to have an ECG once a year to make sure I'm not developing this condition. I also monitor my heart doing an ECG with my Apple Watch, regularly too. I have been taking 4,000mg of Fish Oil under advice of my doctor to counteract the problems I have with my bowels due to my Spinal Cord injury and I have had 0 issues with Atrial Fibrillation doing this for a number of years now. I just thought I'd let you know because if anyone is going to develop Atrial Fibrillation it would be me due to my high risk for it.
That's not how science works. But good for you and thanks for sharing anyway.
Can an ECG detect that you have a fib even if you're not feeling it?
@@SupremeODMG Yes because your Electrical Rhythm will not look right. Same with valves that aren't sealing or hearts that have had a mild to severe heart attack. This all shows up in ECG patterns.
I would say that the benefits still outweight the risks. Just like mountainbiking carries the risk of breaking bones and you can defnitely show a higher risk for that you still get a lot of benefits of doing sports.
@@EbonyPope Absolutely, and also I would add that just because this is working for me doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. I just wanted to add my unique position to the conversation because I’m already at a high risk for Atrial Fibrillation so one would think I would experience it first taking such a high amount of Fish Oil for my bowel issue created by my spinal cord injury. I think there is more at play in peoples diet that combined with the fish oil or some other health issue underlying that might be the actual issue rather than the fish oil alone.
Another nuanced and informative video, thank you sir! I do wonder whether or not fish oils are still worth taking in general due to the supposed health benefits for the brain?
⚠️ Dr Ray said this 40 years ago and got ridiculed. Many of his followers luckily avoided fish oil.
What about Swedish fish?
I've eaten a whole school of them in my life. Any effects beyond sticky teeth?
fish is whole food so it is maybe safer
Excellent analysis!
I've tried many brands, but whenever I take omega-3 I feel weird and sick, I reduced my supplementation to a single capsule only twice a week, to avoid any noticeable side effects.
Would be cool to know is this about DHA/EPA or fish oil itself, how does it compare to algae-based oils. And what about ALA?
There is so little info about ALA, compared to DHA/EPA.
ALA gets converted to EPA/DHA at very low ratios. As far as I'm aware, positive health effects boil down to the EPA/DHA. That does not make ALA bad, it's just way harder to get a significant effect in a study without feeding a person absurd amounts of ALA.
AFAIK (might be inaccurate) DHA/EPA in fish bioaccumulates from some species of algae, so effectively algae oil is kind of just skipping elements in the food chain. also "algae oil" sounds generic but commercially, as i understand it, it's apparently only viable to produce it via some specific types of micro-algae.
i'm _guessing_ it wouldn't matter in the trials whether fish oil or algae oil would be used since it's the same molecule 🤷♂
I thought EPA reduced inflammation and DHA was good for the heart and brain. Good video.
How often is the fish oil supplement already rancid? This would also be one thing to consider.
What about Krill oil?
Many people get confused by the numbers. We should not conflate the FISH OIL number on the front of the bottle, say 1000 mg and the OMEGA -3 number (on the front or back of the bottle) say 300 mg omega-3. Only part of that number is what we're after.
Only part of that Omega-3 is the vital elements called EPA and DHA which could add up to only 250 mg. So when it is suggested you take 1000 mg it is referring to that last group, EPA and DHA. So I take 4 Softgels, 250 x4 = 1000 mg EPA and DHA,. Thats 4, 1000mg of FISH oil totaling 4,000 mg FISH OIL but only 1,000 mg EPA/DHA.... Am I correct???
Do you know if algae oil has higher levels of microplastics than eating fish of fish oil supplements?
Thanks, i reacted instantly to this news by taking smaller sips of strong fish oil. I started taking it earlier together with the protein meal when it is supposedly more effective. Taking it away from bedtime may have improved my sws also
Hello! Why not mentioning the importance of checking the omega 3 index?
Dr would you consider the quality of the fish oil a factor in risk? Rancid fish oil might be common in over the counter products. Is there a fib risk in eating whole fish instead?
Is there any evidence that eating fish will increase the risk of atrial fibrillation?
I’m sorry to throw in a tangent in the comments but I can’t see where else to ask. Would you consider a video about CoQ10 supplements, please? You may have addressed it in a previous statin video but I couldn’t find the info. Hopefully the many statin users would be interested too.
For me,I live with ME/CFS and many studies indicate one of the metabolic changes is lowered CoQ10. There’s no treatment for this condition and I’m among the many who desperately try supplements (I have a doctorate in Biology so I’m not an idiot, just very very desperate) There are many like me, especially if you group in the long Covid people.
Thank you for this, a great video!
Question: How about older omega-3 trials, I think those should be considered into the complex EPA/DHA equation?
Can you make a video on Berberin for lowering cholesterol. Is it effective!
eat less
@@toseltreps1101 Dietary cholesterol is only a small fraction of our body's cholesterol. Most of it it's produced by your liver. You can be as thin as Olive Oyl and still have high cholesterol.
Hi Gil good vid. I wonder if krill oil might differ from fish oil ?
2 questions:
-Were the omega 3 supplements tested or could they have been some bootleg engine oil capsules?
-Were the omega 3 supplements stored correctly, or were they exposed to heat and/or sunlight?
What about Cod LIver Oil---especially the cold-pressed variety?
I have low risk of heart problems both in tests & family history, but my eye doctor told me to take 2-3g of fish oil for my chronic dry eyes syndrome & it has helped tremendously.
40 yrs old & working out 4-5 days a week since i was 18. You think its not worth the risk to take 2 potent fish oils per day? I don’t eat fish in general & my diet is high protein high fiber
What are your opinions on the risk of oxidation of omega 3 supplements? Seems to be a relatively common occurence and one that is not always super easy to detect. Could it possibly be contributing to some of these side effects?
Hey, another great video!
I was wondering if there were any attempts to explain how large doses of EPA/DHA could induce an AFIB episode? If you've across any such theories could you share it with us?
I had been eating one can of oily fish (sardines, herring, kipper etc) a week for the last five years & sporadically before that. Until I saw a documentary about Chernobyl & realized the fallout plume squarely hit the Baltic Sea where my fish originates. I researched evidence of contamination but could find nothing. If anyone knows the answer please speak up?
You've been eating nucleared fish? 🙀
That is what I'm trying to find out?
My guess is that contamination is probably gone by now.
Being on high dosages FOR Decades.. I’m 71 .. feel great. Love my omega 3s.
Besides heart health I take DHA from algae for my brain.
You must have started too late.
@@Fitzrovialitter Ouch. A little acerbic today, are we?
@@HidingFromFate I hope so!
I'd be interested whether vegans who eat lots of ALA omega-3 benefit from an algae supplement. I take them currently but I don't really know how much good they're doing me.
Complicated subject! I had been taking the Costco TruNature EPA/DHEA product (600 EPA/300 DHEA) for a while but have temporarily discontinued largely due to this study. Of course, I have preexisting cardiovascular issues. I have replaced it at least temporarily with very high doses (3,750 mg) of aged garlic. My worry in using both would be blood-bleeds in the brain - which is one of the dangers of going too far to thin the blood. I've also taken a low dose of Nattokinese for years. Recent research that I've come across on UA-cam seems to be suggesting that large doses (either 11,000 or 22,000 - not fully clear on this) of Nattokinese taken twice daily (due to the supplement's half-life...) is capable of removing plaque from arteries. That Vascepa study conducted by company a few years back, combining large dosages of EPA-only with a statin drug also claimed to be capable of removing preexisting plaque from arteries. What to believe? I don't know. It would seem to me that for patients with significant coronary artery buildup, removing preexisting plaque would be the ideal.
Can fish oil effect INR? Thanks.
Thanks for the update. I'm wondering if there have been any studies comparing Omega-3 precursors to DHA/EPA supplementation, or even just looking at these precursors without comparing them to another intervention, in terms of cardiovascular outcomes. Speaking of course about ALA (either in supplement form, or in foods like flax meal, hemp seed meal, or chia seeds). I was diagnosed with heart disease over 10 years ago and went plant-based about 7 years ago, and at that time I went on the strict Esselstyn diet, which I later moderated off of, but still continue to eat plant-based, and take in about 2 tbsp of flaxmeal per day. I've tried algae oil on occasion but never sustained it possibly because I detected feeling a bit "off" when taking it, although it could have been psychological, or unrelated, who knows. I take a statin and am in generally good health with no known cardiovascular events for over 5 years now, low LDL for that time period as well. I haven't heard of such studies with ALA supplements or foods and I really wish there was something that might definitely say whether this was of a benefit at all or completely useless (at least in terms of prevention of secondary events).
What about the benefits of fish oil for mental health and joint health? Seems like there are a lot more benefits of higher dose fish oil than there are risks
Very clear and very important. Thx
I take ALGAL (algae) supplements for DHA.
They don't supply much EPA, so I take fish oil pills.
If I could afford salmon once a day, I'd take no supplements.
Special note: properly farmed Atlantic salmon is the cleanest, most sustainable and highest source of omega 3, IF FARMED PROPERLY!
Unfortunately most farmed fish is done wrong.
Only unanswered question- will atrial fibrillation resolve if one stops taking omegas?
Thank you so very much. I just started fish oil because I don’t eat fish.
That's interesting, thanks. Always thought I want at least 1g of combined, EPA and DHA per day. Would be interesting to see studies that also check for omega-3 index and whether there's a correlation.
Me too heart skipping beats. Im 65 yrs. Walk 2 hours a day, 12k..and/or gym .
Dose dependent l have just learnt
My omega fish oil is 700mg DHA and 300 EPA and appears to have greater anti inflammatory effect due to Tuna and NZ Hoki fish blend. Any Risk? Thanks
I wonder if the consumption of ALA is a factor too.
Living is deadly.
Great video thank you, so clear and well explained.
It’s true. All you need to do is read Dr. Essylstyn’s study from Cleveland Clinic. He wrote how to reverse heart disease.
Omega-3 is an antioxidant that will decrease LDL oxidation. Dosage is the key
Hey Doc, you mentioned that you take an omega 3 supplement sometimes. Are you comfortable sharing what that translates to?
Gil, what about flaxseed oil as a source of omega 3s? Since developing consistent PVCs over the winter, I cleaned up my diet and started taking 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily. Any studies done on that? Keep up the excellent content!
It contains omega 3 ALA which converts poorly to EPA/DHA. Careful with flaxseed oil - it can become rancid before you get to the end of the bottle! I switched to seeds.
I take 4g a day secondary to positive calcium score, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol. It’s shown excellent results.
What about ground flax or chia seeds? For those of us who don’t consume fish or fish oil - any evidence this is helpful?
I eat a can of sardines every other day and a krill oil supplement capsul every morning.
Both for the same reason: because I feel I have to for my health, not for taste.
Sardines because they have the lowest mercury, lowest price, lowest effort to prepare. I just wolf it down at the beginning of dinner and hope the rest of dinner will wipe out the fishy aftertaste.
Speaking of taste, this is the rare food that I seek out brands with spicey additives to again help hide the taste of fish. Usually I don't buy the spicy version of packaged foods because I wonder if they are trying to hide something and I add my fav spice at home.
I’m in the 4th bucket. Am I at risk of atrial fibrillation for just being a pescatarian? 🤔