What is the best time to take fish oil

• Morning vs Night
  • Morning vs night for fish oil supplements
• Sources
  • Sources of omega-3 fatty acids
• 5 Health Benefits
  • 5 benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on health
• Related Resources
  • Related Resources - When Is the Best Time to Take Fish Oil?

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which offers the body numerous health benefits.

Fish oil is not the kind of supplement for which timing matters. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, have several positive effects on health and performance. These fatty acids do not have immediate or short-term impacts. Instead, your body uses them to maintain critical organs and reduce inflammation.

• Hence, it will take some time for your body's omega-3 levels to reach their ideal range rather than immediately reaping the benefits of a fish oil supplement.
• Therefore, there is no ideal time to take fish oil to get the optimum outcomes.
• The results are the same whether you take fish oil in the morning or at night.

Fish oil supplements function best when taken consistently and with food. Therefore, the optimal time to take fish oil is when you are most likely to remember to do so and be able to take it with food.

Morning vs night for fish oil supplements

Although the precise timing would not alter the results, taking a fish oil supplement with breakfast increases the likelihood that you will do so at the same time each day (or every other day). Take it with a substantial amount of food.

Contrarily, taking it at night increases the likelihood that you will forget to take it until bedtime, which means you would not take it with meals, thus lowering their absorption.

There has been no scientific research on the ideal time to use omega-3 supplements. However, for some people, taking these supplements before bed could be necessary to avoid the “fishy breath,” which is an adverse effect of fish oil supplements. Consider taking your omega-3 supplements before bed if you have had this adverse effect or are worried about getting it. As a result, you are less likely to detect the issue.

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are required by your body for a variety of processes, including cell growth and muscle function. Omega-3 fatty acids come from food sources or supplements. They cannot be produced inside the body in sufficient quantities.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil.

• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, and trout) and shellfish (mussels, oysters, and crabs) are dietary sources of DHA and EPA.
• Various nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), another omega-3 fatty acid.
• There are liquid, capsule, and pill forms of fish oil supplements.

SLIDESHOW

5 benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on health

Fish oil is consumed for its anti-inflammatory properties and offers the following benefits:

1. Prevent cardiovascular diseases: Numerous studies have reported the benefits of including fatty fish and other seafood in a healthy diet to maintain heart health and reduce the risk of certain cardiac conditions. For example, triglyceride levels can be reduced by increasing EPA and DHA intake through food or nutritional supplements.
2. Prevent cancer: According to some research, individuals who consume more omega-3s through food and dietary supplements may experience a decreased risk of breast cancer and perhaps colorectal cancer. However, a significant clinical investigation reported that taking omega-3 supplements did not lower the risk of colorectal, breast, prostate, and other types of cancer. To determine if omega-3s affect cancer risk, additional clinical trials are currently underway.
3. Infant health and development: During pregnancy and nursing, eating 8 to 12 ounces of fish and other seafood per week can help your baby's health. However, you must select fish that have lower mercury levels and higher EPA and DHA levels. Trout, salmon, herring, and sardines are a few examples. It is unclear whether consuming dietary supplements containing EPA and DHA while pregnant or nursing impacts the health or development of the fetus. However, other studies suggest that taking these supplements may marginally lengthen the gestational period and raise the weight at birth, both of which could be advantageous. In breast milk and most commercial newborn feeds, DHA is present.
4. Prevent Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and cognitive function: Some studies suggest that people who eat more omega-3-rich foods, such as fish, could be less likely to develop dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other cognitive issues. However, more research is needed to understand how omega-3s affect the brain.
5. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Among older adults, AMD is a substantial contributor to vision loss. According to studies, those who consume a diet heavy in omega-3 fatty acids could be less likely to acquire AMD. However, once someone has AMD, taking omega-3 supplements may not stop the condition from worsening or stop vision loss.

Health News

Medically Reviewed on 9/23/2022

References

Image Source: iStock images

Omega-3 Fatty Acids. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/

When is the best time to take fish oil – morning or night? https://www.vaga.org/best-time-to-take-fish-oil-morning-or-night/

Omega-3s for Better Sleep. https://startsleeping.org/omega-3s-for-better-sleep/

Timing Your Fish Oil: What’s The Best Time Of Day For Omega-3 Fatty Acids? https://www.yeastinfection.org/timing-your-fish-oil-whats-the-best-time-of-day-for-omega-3-fatty-acids/

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