Something Fishy
By | On Oct 31, 2012
Is there something fishy in the claims intimated by those hawking fish and omega-3 oil supplements? You betcha! If you have not already read it, get the detailed scoop in my article published in Outside Magazine:
http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/nutrition/Is-Fish-Oil-the-New-Snake-Oil.html?page=all
Recent studies continue to confirm what I wrote several months ago. The latest was a review of several previous studies looking at fish consumption versus just supplementation with fish and omega-3 oils. The study was published in the British Medical Journal and found that consuming “fish, particularly oily fish, a couple of times a week may help protect you against stroke, but fish oil supplements don’t have the same effect.” The amount of fish consumed was modest, only two (or more) servings per week; yet this resulted in a 6-12% stroke reduction.The study looked at 38 previous trials encompassing over 794,000 people.The authors conclusion resonates with what I have said, and what is highlighted in The Grassroots Gourmet approach featured in Eating Well, Living Better -available at Amazon.com here:
http://www.amazon.com/Eating-Well-Living-Better-Grassroots/dp/144221340X
“These findings therefore suggest that single nutrients may have limited effects on chronic disease outside of their original food sources.”
Chowdhury, R. et al. “Association between fish consumption, long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, and risk of cerebrovascular disease: Systemic review and meta-analysis.” BMJ 2012; doi:10.1136/bmj.e6698
