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Should athletes take fish oil?

This question is about NutritionRunning and Cycling

Sarah Achleithner

Yes, many athletes can benefit from taking fish oil. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which help fight inflammation and promote heart health. Two omega-3 fats found in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been shown to have a positive impact on blood pressure, and triglyceride levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease [

1

]. 

Moreover, emerging evidence indicates that consuming 1.5-5g of EPA/DHA per day improves endurance, response to exercise, and recovery, however, this research is still in its infancy [

2

].

Fish oil capsules in a white bowl with a gray background

People also ask:

1.  Volpe, S. L. (2012). Fish Oil Supplementation and Athletic Performance. ACSM'S Health & Fitness Journal, 16(5), 31–32.

https://doi.org/10.1249/fit.0b013e318264cc25

 

2.     Thielecke, F., & Blannin, A. (2020). Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Sport Performance-Are They Equally Beneficial for Athletes and Amateurs? A Narrative Review. Nutrients, 12(12), 3712. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123712

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