Supplements Print Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Richard Fogoros, MD on March 16, 2015 Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. He is Verywell's Senior Medical Advisor. Learn about our Review Board Richard Fogoros, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 John Block/The Image Bank/Getty Images More in Healthy Eating Supplements Recipes Nutrition Facts Basics Sports Nutrition Weight Management Eat Well Strategies Special Diets Kids' Nutrition View All Omega-3 fatty acids are important for a number of functions in the body. These functions include: Relaxation and contraction of musclesBlood clottingDigestionFertilityCell divisionGrowthMovement of calcium and other substances in and out of cells Sources Available in dietary supplement form, omega-3s are found naturally in certain foods. Oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, contain the omega-3s docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Certain nuts, such as English walnuts, and vegetable oils (flaxseed, canola, and soybean), meanwhile, contain an omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Health Benefits Research suggests that intake of omega-3 fatty acids may offer the following benefits: 1) Heart Health Increasing levels of DHA and EPA (either by eating fish or taking fish oil supplements) has been found to improve a number of cardiovascular disease risk factors. For example, studies show that omega-3 intake may lower cholesterol, slightly lower blood pressure, slow the progression of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and reduce risk of heart attack, stroke, and death among people with cardiovascular disease. 6 Healthy Ways to Cook Fish 2) Rheumatoid Arthritis Regular intake of fish oil supplements may reduce morning stiffness, number of swollen joints, and need for corticosteroid drugs in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil's anti-inflammatory effects may be key to its role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a research review published in 2003. Additional Benefits A number of studies have shown that omega-3s may also be beneficial for people with the following health problems. However, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine cautions that more research is needed before conclusions can be drawn about the use of omega-3s in the treatment of these conditions. AsthmaDementiaDiabetesInflammatory bowel diseaseLupusOsteoporosisRenal disease Several population studies indicate that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids may lower your risk of developing certain types of cancer (including cancer of the breast, colon, and prostate). However, randomized controlled trials need to be conducted before scientists can draw any conclusions about the anti-cancer effects of omega-3s. Caveats Although omega-3 supplements are generally considered safe when taken in low to moderate doses, they may cause the following symptoms in some cases: DiarrheaHeartburnIndigestionAbdominal bloating A fishy aftertaste is a common side effect of fish oil supplements. Taking the supplement before eating may reduce the aftertaste or burps. In high doses, fish oil can interact with certain medications, including antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications and drugs used for high blood pressure. Keep in mind that supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Also, the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. A Word From Verywell If you're considering the use of fish oil supplements, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Maclean CH, Newberry SJ, Mojica WA, et al. Effects of Omega‐3 Fatty Acids on Cancer: Summary. 2005 Feb. In: AHRQ Evidence Report Summaries. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). Omega-3 Fatty Acids. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Additional Reading Calviello G, Serini S, Piccioni E. "n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the prevention of colorectal cancer: molecular mechanisms involved." Curr Med Chem. 2007;14(29):3059-69. Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM. "The role of fish oils in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis." Drugs. 2003;63(9):845-53. de Deckere EA. "Possible beneficial effect of fish and fish n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast and colorectal cancer." Eur J Cancer Prev. 1999 8(3):213-21. H. Krishna Moorthy and P. Venugopal. "Strategies for prostate cancer prevention: Review of the literature." Indian J Urol. 2008 24(3): 295–302. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. "Omega-3 Supplements: An Introduction." NCCAM Publication No. D436 July 2009.