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Skin supplement · Fatty acid

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Also searched as: fish oil · EPA · DHA · krill oil · algal oil · omega 3

EPA and DHA from fish or algae. The main safety questions are atrial fibrillation at high doses and bleeding. The NIH fact sheet does not establish a skin benefit.

Vanu Health Research Team · Updated

What is Omega-3 fatty acids?

EPA and DHA are long-chain omega-3 fats found in fatty fish and in algae. ALA, from flax and walnuts, is a different, shorter omega-3.

What it does for skin

The NIH fact sheet says evidence is insufficient to determine whether omega-3s affect the risk of skin cancers, including basal-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma and melanoma.

The NIH fact sheet says some, but not all, trials found that maternal EPA and/or DHA supplementation during pregnancy reduced severe atopic dermatitis, food sensitivities and/or asthma in the child, and that more research is needed.

What the research shows

The NIH fact sheet says that taking 4 g a day of omega-3 supplements for several years slightly increased atrial fibrillation risk in people with cardiovascular disease or at high risk of it, in two large trials.

The American Heart Association recommends approximately 1 g a day of EPA plus DHA, preferably from oily fish, for people with existing coronary heart disease, according to the NIH fact sheet.

Forms, amounts and limits

The FDA says supplement labels should not recommend a daily intake of EPA and DHA higher than 2 g.

The FDA has concluded that dietary supplements providing no more than 5 g a day of EPA and DHA are safe when used as recommended.

Safety

The NIH fact sheet, citing the Institute of Medicine, says doses of 2 to 15 g a day of EPA and/or DHA might increase bleeding time by reducing platelet aggregation.

For people taking warfarin, the NIH fact sheet says most research indicates that 3 to 6 g a day of fish oil does not significantly affect anticoagulant status. Omega-3 prescription labels advise periodic INR monitoring for patients on anticoagulants.

Ask a clinician before high doses if you take blood thinners.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medicines.

Questions

Is eating fish better than a supplement?

Fish provides omega-3s along with protein and other nutrients. Supplements are an option if you do not eat fish.

Does fish oil fix dry skin?

We did not find a dry-skin benefit in the NIH fact sheet.

Sources

  1. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids fact sheet (opens in a new tab)

General information, not medical advice. Vanu Health does not sell this supplement. Read our terms.