Fish oil supplements, packed with omega-3 fatty acids, are already a multi-billion dollar industry.
About 2 out of every 25 people in the U.S. and worldwide take these popular pills.
Now, a new study from the University of Georgia, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that these supplements might be especially beneficial for people with a genetic risk of high cholesterol.
The study looked at genetic data from over 441,000 people. The researchers created a score to predict the genetic risk of having high levels of total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL (good) cholesterol.
“Recent advances in genetic studies have allowed us to predict someone’s genetic risk of high cholesterol,” said Dr. Yitang Sun, a recent doctoral graduate from UGA’s Department of Genetics.
“But the current prediction has room for improvement because it does not consider individual differences in lifestyles, such as taking fish oil supplements.”
The researchers discovered that people who reported taking fish oil supplements had lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides than their genetic scores predicted.
“Our study shows that considering lifestyles will improve genetic prediction,” said Dr. Kaixiong Ye, the study’s corresponding author and an assistant professor of genetics in UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. “Our findings also support that fish oil supplements may counteract the genetic predisposition to high cholesterol.”
High cholesterol is a well-known health issue. It causes arteries to harden and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. While a healthy diet and exercise are important for keeping cholesterol levels in check, genetics can also play a big role. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 86 million American adults—about 1 in 4—have high cholesterol.
For those with a family history of high cholesterol, the study’s findings offer hope. Taking fish oil supplements might help protect their health.
“Taking fish oil is associated with a shift toward a healthy lipid profile,” Dr. Ye said.
The study also found that fish oil supplements are beneficial in raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels, further promoting heart health.
If high cholesterol runs in your family, adding fish oil supplements to your daily routine might help you maintain healthier cholesterol levels. Alongside a balanced diet and regular exercise, this simple addition could make a significant difference in your heart health. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about the harm of vitamin D deficiency, and Mediterranean diet may preserve brain volume in older adults.
For more health information, please see recent studies about foods to naturally lower high blood pressure, and a simple breakfast switch can help control type 2 diabetes.
