What Does Research Say About Fish Oil and Heart Health? <\/p>\n
For patients with heart disease, fish oil supplements can reduce inflammation and improve heart function. However, a meta-analysis shows that taking one gram or more of omega-3s<\/a> per day is linked to a 49% increased risk of AFib.<\/p>\n A typical fish oil supplement contains about 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)\u2014the two major types of omega-3s. However, the formulations and dosages can vary widely from brand to brand.\n<\/p>\n While there\u2019s no official safety limit for omega-3 consumption, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said<\/a> that dietary supplements providing no more than 5 grams of EPA and DHA per day are safe when used as recommended or suggested in their labeling.\n<\/p>\n In a study conducted by the American Heart Association, a daily dose of 4 grams of combined EPA and DHA are effective at treating very high triglycerides.<\/p>\n How to Decide Whether Fish Oil Is Right for You <\/p>\n The USDA recommends that most adults eat at least 8 ounces of seafood<\/a> each week to get omega-3s.\n<\/p>\n \u201cIf your intake is less, then a fish oil supplement may be helpful,\u201d said Lena Beal, MS, RDN, LD<\/a>, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.<\/p>\n However, eating fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and herring is better for heart health than just using supplements, Beal added. While there\u2019s no evidence that fish oil supplements reduce the risk of heart disease, people who consume seafood one to four times per week have a lower chance of dying from heart disease.\n<\/p>\n Most experts recommend prioritizing omega-3s from dietary sources<\/a> like oily fish instead of supplements because whole foods contain additional beneficial nutrients.<\/p>\n Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process<\/a> to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.<\/p>\n Chen G, Qian ZM, Zhang J, et al. Regular use of fish oil supplements and course of cardiovascular diseases: prospective cohort study<\/a>. BMJ Med. 2024;3(1):e000451. doi:10.1136\/bmjmed-2022-000451<\/p>\n Nomali M, Heidari ME, Ayati A, et al. Omega-3 supplementation and outcomes of heart failure: a systematic review of clinical trials<\/a>.\u00a0Medicine. 2024;103(3):e36804. doi:10.1097\/MD.0000000000036804<\/p>\n Gencer B, Djousse L, Al-Ramady OT, Cook NR, Manson JE, Albert CM. Effect of long-term marine \u0277-3 fatty acids supplementation on the risk of atrial fibrillation in randomized controlled trials of cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis<\/a>. Circulation. 2021;144(25):1981-1990. doi:10.1161\/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.055654<\/p>\n National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids: fact sheet for health professionals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Skulas-Ray AC, Wilson PWF, Harris WS, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for the management of hypertriglyceridemia: a science advisory from the american heart association<\/a>.\u00a0Circulation. 2019;140(12). doi:10.1161\/CIR.0000000000000709<\/p>\n U.S. Department of Agriculture. Protein foods<\/a>.<\/p>\n National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Omega-3 supplements: in depth<\/a>.<\/p>\n National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Omega-3 fats – good for your heart<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Stephanie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/StephanieBrownnewheadshot-e5ca9ba2a404491384e9300a7871f190.jpg\")
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