What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil, ingested either by eating fish or by taking a dietary supplement, is made up of the tissues from a variety of different fish, such as salmon, tuna, and anchovy. The tissues from these fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are not produced naturally by the fish but are rather absorbed by their tissue when they consume algae or other fish. Fish oil, often packaged in a softgel form and sold over-the-counter, has been shown to have a number of health benefits. They can be found at most health food stores, as well as most major drug stores.
Fish oil is generally taken in order to help reduce inflammation in the body, which has been linked to arthritis and chronic pain syndromes. Fish oil supplements have also been prescribed to treat depression, and are recommended as a preventative measure against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cardiovascular diseases. However, while many studies have indicated that fish oil supplements can help protect the body against these ailments, the studies are not conclusive. Scientists and physicians are divided in their opinions of the actual efficiency of the drug.
