I started taking fish oil as a "can't hurt to try," experiment after reading a study that found that fish oil reduced the pain and inflammation of arthritis in subjects enough that most were able to significantly reduce pain med use. Since I'd recently had to stop all NSAID use (they were triggering asthma-like symptoms), I figured any bit of help would be great.

My doctor had never suggested fish oil, but he as happy when I told him I was taking it. He recently told me to double my dosage, which I did.

Weight loss doesn't seem to be any different, in speed or quantity than before I was taking the fish oil.

Thanks everyone for the replies and looking in to the research! :)
I guess it doesn't hurt to take it even if it doesn't help fat loss

Our whole family takes it. I think it's especially important for children!!! We use Nordic brand.

I take an Omega 3-6-9 caplet a day. I know I don't eat enough foods rich in the Omegas, I never thought about a weight loss connection.

I also take a complete B vitamin complex, a vitamin D3 and a multivitamin. Oh and Melatonin at night.

I've started taking fish oil consistently only in the last few weeks. Before I went calorie crazy last week, I had lost 2 pounds in two weeks with the only changes being slightly decreased carb intake and increased fish oil while eating my maintenance calorie level. Could have been coincidence, don't know. The crazy last five days pretty much knocked the experiment out of the the water. :)

I have noticed my hair feels smoother, though. :)

Good point, but I just wanted to add that people with cholesterol issues shouldn't assume that fish oil wouldn't be beneficial (but talk to your doctor, first). I had slightly high cholesterol (if I weren't overweight, it would be considered within the normal range and medication wouldn't have been prescribed). Because of my obesity and borderline diabetes, my doctor wanted me on a statin drug to improve my cholesterol to an "optimal" level, and because there are other benefits to statin drugs, especially to diabetic and obese patients.

My doctor also wanted me on fish oil supplements, because fish oil raises "good cholesterol." I'm on niacin (vitamin B-3) for the same reason.


It's very important to tell your doctor about all of the supplements you are taking, or would like to take, even so much as a daily vitamin. Many drugs have interactions, some dangerous, with vitamins.