Contents
*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
People who grew up in the USSR are well aware of fish oil. Every day, a teaspoon – this was an unpleasant, unnecessary procedure. Doctors of that time believed that only medical fish oil could make up for the lack of vitamin D in the body, prevent the development of rickets and other dangerous conditions.
Today, new products have appeared on the pharmaceutical market – preparations containing omega-3 fatty acids. Many people think that this is the same fish oil, but more palatable. This is not true: fish oil and omega-3 acids serve different functions and are used in different situations.
In this article, we will not focus on specific drugs. In pharmacies, you can purchase both various dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, as well as medical fish oil from different manufacturers. We have another task – to understand how these components differ and to find out what you need to know about each tool.
Compare composition
Preparations containing omega-3 fatty acids and medical fish oil differ in composition.
Omega-3
Omega-3 dietary supplements are usually available in capsules and are monocomponent products – they contain only the specified fatty acid. But when choosing a product, you need to look at exactly which omega-3s are included:
α-Linolenic acid (ALA, ALA);
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, EPA);
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, DHA).
APC is found predominantly in vegetable oils, while EPA and DHA are found in animals.
All of these acids can be part of the complex labeled omega-3. The exact composition should be indicated in the annotation to the drug.
Fish fat
The composition of medical fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, of which at least 8% EPA and 9% DHA. Another 20% is accounted for by other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Also included are:
vitamin A 500 ME;
vitamin D 50 MF.
Previously, fish oil was available in liquid form. Now the drug is also available in capsules.
Indications for use
Preparations based on omega-3 are prescribed as a biologically active food supplement and are offered to conditionally healthy people. They are recommended for adults for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, for children – to improve attention and memory. In obstetric practice, omega-3 and other PUFAs are prescribed for placental insufficiency and fetal hypoxia.
Important! Omega-3 is not a drug and is not used to treat diseases.
Medical fish oil is a drug. It is prescribed for the prevention of hypovitaminosis A and D in adults and children. It is not used for therapy with already identified deficiency – in this case, other dosages of vitamins are needed.
How do they work
Let’s consider each tool separately.
Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in key biochemical processes. Here are the most important things to know:
includes into the cell wall;
participate in the formation of biologically active substances that prevent inflammation;
constrict blood vessels;
affect hemostasis: reduce blood viscosity and prevent the formation of blood clots;
provide transmission of nerve impulses.
It is believedthat the lack of omega-3 leads to the development of cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension), obesity and depression.
Fish fat
The properties of the drug are determined by the components that make up its composition:
Vitamin A. Influences redox processes in the body, participates in the synthesis of proteins and lipids, as well as visual pigments – ensures normal twilight and color vision. Regulates bone growth and the integrity of the epithelium.
Vitamin D. Provides absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestines and their passage in the kidneys, affects the structure of bone tissue. Participates in the work of the immune, digestive and cardiovascular systems, affects the production of hormones.
The composition of fish oil also includes PUFAs, the role of which we discussed above.
Performance evaluation: is there any benefit?
When we compare omega-3 and fish oil, we are talking primarily about polyunsaturated fatty acids – this is what unites the drugs we are interested in.
The benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the composition of dietary supplements and fish oil have been discussed for a long time, and special interest has been noticed in recent years. But until recently, there was no evidence of their effectiveness. Released in 2018 Cochrane overview says no to omega-3s. The authors examined data from 79 studies and concluded that the use of omega-3s does not affect the development of cardiovascular diseases and does not reduce the risk of their occurrence.
Another came out in 2019 article, which argued otherwise: omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of developing heart disease – such as myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease. The study was conducted by specialists from Harvard University. They included 13 randomized placebo-controlled trials in their review and concluded that omega-3s are indeed beneficial.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) confirms this data. Studies have shown that omega-3s actually reduce the risk of developing heart and vascular disease. But interestingly, this statement was made only in relation to one drug (Vascepa), while nothing was said about other similar drugs.
View scientists on the benefits of fish oil is also ambiguous. Gradually, this drug is becoming a thing of the past, and new drugs are appearing that successfully replace it. The pharmaceutical market has long had more convenient forms of vitamins A and D, including for children, and omega-3 fatty acids are available as a separate drug. It is too early to talk about the complete rejection of fish oil, but this trend is already traced.
Application Scheme
Dietary supplements with omega-3 are prescribed for adults 1-2 capsules with meals. Usually the course of treatment lasts 1 month. The dosage and duration of therapy should be agreed with the doctor.
Fish oil capsules are prescribed for adults, children are offered a liquid form. It is taken orally after meals with cold water.
Safety measures
Omega-3 fatty acids are generally well tolerated and do not cause adverse reactions. There may be an allergic rash, but more often it occurs on the auxiliary components of the drug.
Fish oil should be taken strictly in the recommended dosage, then the risk of side effects is minimal. In case of overdose and long-term use in high doses, hypervitaminosis A and D develops. There is no specific antidote, it is recommended to cancel the drug, drinking large amounts of liquid.
Conclusions
To sum up:
Omega-3 preparations and medical fish oil are used for different indications. Omega-3 is prescribed to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease in adults. Fish oil is used to prevent hypovitaminosis A and D.
It is not yet worth talking unequivocally about the effectiveness of dietary supplements based on omega-3: the results of clinical studies are contradictory. Fish oil is also not considered the drug of choice – many scientists believe that its importance in the prevention of hypovitaminosis and cardiovascular diseases is exaggerated.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.