Penn Herb Wellness Guide
Fish Oil & Cod Liver Oil (EPA & DHA)Find Products
Also indexed as:Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil), EPA (Fish Oil), Salmon Oil
Oil from fish contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); both are omega-3 fatty acids.
- Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
- Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
- For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement,little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:
| Used for | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Congestive Heart Failure | 850 to 882 mg per day |  [3 stars] In a double-blind study of people with chronic heart failure, a combination of EPA and DHA for four years resulted in a small but statistically significant protection against death or hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons.
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High Triglycerides | 3,000 mg daily omega-3 fatty acids | [3 stars] Many double-blind trials have shown that fish oil containing EPA and DHA lowers triglycerides levels. |
Hypertension | 2 grams of combined EPA and DHA daily | [3 stars] EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, have been shown to lower blood pressure. |
Lupus | Up to 20 grams fish oil per day after consultation with a doctor | [3 stars] Supplementing with fish oil may improve symptoms and decrease disease activity.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis | 3 grams daily of EPA plus DHA | [3 stars] Fish oil has anti-inflammatory effect and may help reduce pain. Many trials have proven that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil partially relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. |
Angina | Consult a doctor |  [2 stars] Fish oil has been shown to reduce chest pain and the need for nitroglycerin. Taking vitamin E with fish oil may protect the oil from undergoing potentially damaging oxidation in the body. |
Anxiety | 3 grams per day | [2 stars] In a double-blind trial, fish oil was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving anxiety levelsfor substance abusers.
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Asthma | Consult a doctor | [2 stars] Research shows that fish oil partially reduces reactions to allergens that can trigger asthma attacks. It has also been shown in one study to prevent exercise-induced asthma attacks. |
Atherosclerosis | 3 to 6 grams fish oil daily, containing at least 30% omega-3 fatty acids | [2 stars] Fish oil may reduce risk factors for atherosclerosis and heart disease. One trial showed that people who took fish oil had a slowing of the progression of their arterial plaque and had a decrease in cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
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Bipolar Disorder | Daily omega-3 fatty acids: 9.6 grams for adults, 1,290 to 4,300 mg for children | [2 stars] People with depression may have lower blood levels of omega-3s. Taking fish oil, in addition to prescribed medication, improved symptoms in one study.
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Breast-Feeding Support | Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | as Cod Liver Oil[2 stars] Studies have shown that higher breast milk concentrations of DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid present in fish oil) are associated with better visual acuity in infants.
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Cardiac Arrhythmia | Do not take, or take only with a doctor's supervision, if there is a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation | [2 stars] Fish oil has been shown to reduce the frequency of abnormal heartbeats in some trials. |
Crohn’s Disease | 2.7 grams daily omega-3 fatty acids in enteric-coated capsules | [2 stars] Fish oil helps relieve the inflammation of the gut that occurs in people suffering from Crohn’s disease.
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Cystic Fibrosis | 2.7 grams of EPA daily | [2 stars] The impaired fat digestion in people with cystic fibrosis often leads to a deficiency of essential fatty acids, which may lead to increased risk of respiratory infection. This deficiency may be reversed by fish oil supplementation. |
Depression | 9.6 grams omega-3 fatty acids per day | [2 stars] Depressed people have been reported to have low amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Taking fish oil can replenish stores and stave off depression. |
Dysmenorrhea | Refer to label instructions | [2 stars] A fish oil supplement containing EPA and DHA may help prevent menstrual syndromes. |
Eczema | Adults: 1,800 mg a day of EPA; children: proportionately less, according to body weight | [2 stars] Supplementing with fish oil can supply anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are missing in many people with eczema. |
Epilepsy | 3.25 grams daily of omega-3 fatty acids | [2 stars] In one study, supplementing with a mixture of omega-3 fatty acids (primarily EPA and DHA, found in fish oil) reduced the frequency of seizures in some epileptic patients. |
Heart Attack | 850 to, 1700 mg omega-3 fatty acids | [2 stars] Supplementing with fish oil may reduce the chances of having another heart attack. |
Immune Function and Critically Ill Patients | Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | [2 stars] For critically ill and hospitalized patients, supplementing with fish oil appears to increase immune function. |
Immune Function and Post-Surgery Patients | Refer to label instructions | [2 stars] Most studies have reported that supplementing with omega-3s increases immune function in hospitalized post-surgery patients. |
Intermittent Claudication (Alpha-Linolenic Acid, Folic Acid, Oleic Acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E) | 200 mg of EPA and 130 mg of DHA daily, plus small amounts of vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin E, oleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid | [2 stars] In one study, men with intermittent claudication who drank a milk product fortified with fish oil, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin E, oleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid could walk further without pain than those who drank regular milk. |
Macular Degeneration (Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q10) | Follow label directions | [2 stars] In one study, supplementing with a proprietary blend of acetyl-L-carnitine, fish oil, and coenzyme Q10 improved visual function in people with macular degeneration. |
Multiple Sclerosis | 6 to 20 grams daily | [2 stars] Several studies have shown fish oil to help reduce urinary incontinence, improve eyesight, and reduce relapse rate in people with relapsing-remitting MS. |
Obesity | Around 2,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA per day | [2 stars] Fish oil and its fatty acids, EPA and DHA, may support health metabolism in people with overweight and obesity. |
Osteoporosis (Evening Primrose Oil) | 6 grams daily | [2 stars] Fish oil combined with evening primrose oil (EPO) may improve calcium absorption and promote bone formation. |