Fish oil dramatically boosts metabolism?

acogg

I've been taking a fish oil supplement for well over a year and it hasn't done anything for my metabolism. I typically take two per day and they are only 10 calories each.

Polarpaly05

Full Mayo Clinic Article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil-alpha-linolenic-acid/background/HRB-20059372

Specifics: http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil-alpha-linolenic-acid/evidence/HRB-20059372

Weight loss

Dietary fish has been found to increase the effects of a weight loss program in improving metabolism and cholesterol in obese people. One study reported that fish oil supplementation helped lower fat mass, but combined studies found a lack of effect on weight loss. Research has looked at the effect of omega-3 on weight gain, due to the calorie content of omega-3 fatty acids. When taken with fenofibrate for up to 16 weeks, there was a lack of weight gain. Further research is needed to understand the potential benefits of omega-3 for weight loss.

Energy

Studies suggest that athletes who take fish oil may reduce oxygen consumption during exercise. However, other research has found a lack of effect of fish oil on energy or metabolism in healthy people. Further research is needed.

bigred503

Cant speak for everyone but I have just recently started taking a 75% fish oil, 900mg and I own a body media. Since the very day I started taking fish oil I burn anywhere from 400 calories extra on a lazy day and 600/700 extra on a more active day. Like I said, I cant vouch for everyone or every brand but I can say along with the health benefits, I'm pretty happy about the extra calorie burn.

mommy_03

I've NEVER taken fish oil supplements since a friend of mine was taking them and had to stop cause her husband told her she smelled "fishy" down THERE, once she stopped she went back to normal per say, and i never want that to happen to me...how embarrassing so that made me never want to take them hahahahahaha

rejectuf

I've NEVER taken fish oil supplements since a friend of mine was taking them and had to stop cause her husband told her she smelled "fishy" down THERE, once she stopped she went back to normal per say, and i never want that to happen to me...how embarrassing so that made me never want to take them hahahahahaha

uh. Good story I guess.

gypsy_spirit

Just eat the fish.

Polarpaly05

I've NEVER taken fish oil supplements since a friend of mine was taking them and had to stop cause her husband told her she smelled "fishy" down THERE, once she stopped she went back to normal per say, and i never want that to happen to me...how embarrassing so that made me never want to take them hahahahahaha

Take the fish oil. Eat pineapples.

FredDoyle

Cant speak for everyone but I have just recently started taking a 75% fish oil, 900mg and I own a body media. Since the very day I started taking fish oil I burn anywhere from 400 calories extra on a lazy day and 600/700 extra on a more active day. Like I said, I cant vouch for everyone or every brand but I can say along with the health benefits, I'm pretty happy about the extra calorie burn.

Umm, how would you know that? Your Body Media only records your activity rate, not your metabolism...

margaretturk

bump

ahamm002

Here is the study that the OP's article referred to but didn't actually cite:

EFFECTS OF VARYING DOSES OF FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTATION ON RESTING METABOLIC RATE AND BODY COMPOSITION
E.E. Noreen, R.J. Petrella, FACSM, P.W.R. Lemon, FACSM. (Sponsor: P.W.R. Lemon)
University of Western Ontario, London ON

Several studies have shown that rodents accumulate less body fat when fed a diet rich in fish oil (FO) when compared to an isoenergetic diet rich in other fat. However, little is known about this effect in humans. PURPOSE: 1) To determine the effect of supplemental FO on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition and 2) To determine if there is a difference in response to varying doses of FO. METHODS: 32 healthy men and women (50+16 y, mean+SD) participated in this study. Baseline measurements were made following an overnight fast. Body composition was assessed by whole body densitometry using air displacement. RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry using a face mask. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, triglycerides (TG), and insulin. 24h urine creatinine (CR) was measured. Subjects were matched for fat free mass and assigned to one of four groups: Safflower oil (SO) - 9g/d; Low FO (LFO) - 3g/d concentrated FO supplying 900 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 600 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); Medium FO (MFO) - 6g/d FO supplying 1.8g EPA and 1.2g DHA per day; High FO (HFO) - 9g/d FO supplying 2.7g EPA and 1.8g DHA. All tests were repeated following 28d of treatment. RESULTS: RMR increased in all FO groups following supplementation (LFO 488+199 kcal/d, p<0.05; mean+SEM, MFO 196+48 kcal/d, p<0.1, HFO 141+83 kcal/d, p>0.1) and decreased in the SO (-65+77, p>0.1). Urinary CR excretion increased in all FO groups (LFO 30+80 mg/d, p>0.1, MFO 60+50 mg/d, p>0.1, HFO 200+100 mg/d p<0.1) and decreased in the SO (-260 +160 mg/d, p<0.05). Serum TG decreased significantly in all FO (p<0.05), with no change in SO. Body composition changes were not significant. CONCLUSION: 28d of FO supplementation increases RMR in humans; however, lean mass changes do not appear to be responsible.



So it looks like there are some actual studies out there showing that just taking fish oil does boost metabolism, but I'm still a bit skeptical. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

ahamm002

No.
http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/fishoil.shtml



A R T I C L E

I'm sorry but that raypeat article on fish oil is so ridiculous on so many levels I don't even know where to start. I'm hoping it was some sort of satire that I just didn't get, but it really seems like the author was serious. Comparing fish oil to ionizing radiation?? Really? You do realize omega-3's are actually a natural part of our diet that mammals have been consuming in one way or another for millions of years right? They're not comparable to X-Rays! You'd think one of the thousands of epidemiology studies on omega-3's would have demonstrated some issues if eating omega-3's was just like irradiating yourself in a CT scanner.

SkinnyBubbaGaar

1) Certainly good for you for a number of reasons.

2) Unfortunately, unless you are the one who is burning calories from squeezing the fish oil out of the fish I don't see it having any effects on one's metabolism.