Eat fish or take supplements? Which is better?

For years, omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish oil supplements have been touted as beneficial for heart health. This was especially good news for people who didn’t like to eat fish.

However, a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that supplements may not be as beneficial for heart health as eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, sardines, herring, and tuna.

Researchers measured the fatty-acid blood levels of more than 20,000 male doctors and found mixed results when it came to omega-3 supplements and the men’s likelihood of heart failure. However, eating fish regularly was linked to a lower risk.

Should you stop taking your supplements? Talk to your doctor. In the meantime, order the salmon next time you go out for dinner.

Photo credit: FCC, Andrea Pokrzywinski