Fish oil supplements are a billion-dollar industry built on a foundation of purported, but not proven, health benefits.
In a new study, researchers found that taking fish oil only provides health benefits if you have the right genetic makeup.
If you have a specific genetic background, then fish oil supplementation will help lower your triglycerides (a type of fat found in your blood).
But if you do not have that right genotype, taking a fish oil supplement actually increases your triglycerides.
The research was conducted by a team at the University of Georgia.
In the study, the team focused on fish oil (and the omega-3 fatty acids it contains) and its effect on triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood and a biomarker for heart disease.
They examined four blood lipids (fats)—high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides—that are biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.
The data for their sample of 70,000 individuals were taken from UK Biobank, a large-scale cohort study collecting genetic and health information from half a million participants.
The team divided the sample into two groups, those taking fish oil supplements (about 11,000) and those not taking fish oil supplements.
Then they performed a genome-wide scan for each group, testing for 8 million genetic variants to compare.
After running over 64 million tests, their results revealed a significant genetic variant at gene GJB2.
They found individuals with the AG genotype who took fish oil decreased their triglycerides. Individuals with the AA genotype who took fish oil slightly increased their triglycerides.
The team says determining your genotype is not as far-fetched as it sounds, thanks to direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies.
Companies may not report that specific genetic variant yet, but a tech-savvy consumer should be able to download the raw data and look at the specific position to discover the genotype. The ID for the variant is rs112803755 (A>G).
The study’s findings may also shed light on previous trials, most of which found that fish oil provides no benefit in preventing cardiovascular disease.
The study is published in PLOS Genetics. One author of the study is Kaixiong Ye.
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