Monday, January 21, 2008

Fish & Fat Loss

The fact is, fish oil has a number of important health benefits. But, the idea that fish oil is some kind of magic bullet for weight loss is nothing more than a myth. You can't just pop a lot of fish oil capsules and expect your fat to melt away without making changes to your diet and exercise program first.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that daily consumption of fish or fish oil is only effective for weight loss, if it is combined with moderate exercise like walking for 45 minutes three days a week.

This study looked at 75 overweight subjects for a period of six weeks who took fish oil and exercised: subjects who took fish oil and did not exercise, and subjects who took Omega-3 sunflower or flax seed oil and exercised for three days a week, vs those who took the vegetable oils and did not exercise.

The subjects who lost the most weight were in the group who ate moderate amounts of healthy foods, exercised three days a week, and took fish oil.

Are we really surprised?

8 comments:

Jeffrey Anshel, OD said...

As we heard way back in the 70's: "Health is a question of balance".
Unfortunately, most people in our fast paced society want that "magic bullet" that will fix everything.

Sorry Charlie....

Anonymous said...

I agree. People these days are always looking for a quick fix for their problems then get upset when the urban myths of weight loss turn out to be false. It is really not surprising that excerise will have to play apart in any weight loss regime

Anonymous said...

I teach aerobic classes at a local fitness club, and it amazes me how people want the “quick fix” to weight loss. It’s all about consistency! Eating healthy and exercising regularly makes the difference, not fab diets or a magic pill. I take Biosyntrx’s ZoOmega-3 fish oils everyday, and I know I’m bettering my health by doing so.

Anonymous said...

The ideal solution is to wrestle a 50 pound tuna and squeeze the oil out of it and rub it all over your body and drink the rest. Now that is healthy!

Wash it down with 1/2 bottle of Chilean merlot and then...

Anonymous said...

Dr. A

Love your creative fish oil/ exercise plan, but I think I'll stick to ZoOmega-3, pilates and walking.

Anonymous said...

I agree that society wants a "quick fix", but that is what advertising (T.V., Radio, Newspapers, Billboards, etc..) has placed into our minds. The majority of today's society is education and if they would stop and look at their daily routines, no matter how busy they are, they would determine that: eating healthy, exercise, and vitamin intake is a "choice", and with that "choice" comes health and happiness.

Anonymous said...

What vitamins other than fish oil should be taking to help us lose weight?

Anonymous said...
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