The expert referenced a ‘really good clinical trial’
Dr Federica Amati, chief nutrition scientist at Zoe Health, has issued a stark warning to those who rely on omega-3 supplements. The expert appeared on Davina McCall’s Begin Again podcast earlier this year, where she highlighted the common mistakes people make when taking vitamins and nutrients in tablet form.
During the discussion, Dr Amati voiced her worries, and said: “Taking a supplement is easier than changing your diet… People take supplements and then they think ‘okay, I’ve done my bit’.” However she said many people will then carry on with unhealthy behaviours including poor eating habits, excessive alcohol consumption, insufficient sleep, and sedentary lifestyles.
The doctor continued: “That supplement, in the grand scheme of things, is going to have a very marginal effect on your health.” Her words follow recent statistics revealing that nearly half of UK adults take supplements on a regular basis.
The specialist also advocates obtaining nutrients from food rather than tablets, emphasising the distinction when it comes to omega-3 consumption. Dr Amati referenced a “really good long-running clinical trial” which examined whether omega-3 supplements fulfil their health claims, including reducing the risk of cancers, heart disease, and death.
She concluded: “It doesn’t do it. It doesn’t do it in the same way that eating fish does.” Omega-3 fatty acids boast a wealth of advantages, such as boosting heart health, alleviating dry skin and dry eyes, and reducing bodily inflammation.
The NHS highlights that omega-3s are “also important for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, because it can help a baby’s nervous system to develop”. Healthcare experts advise consuming “at least two portions of fish a week, including one of oily fish”.
For those who aren’t keen on seafood, alternative omega-3 sources include flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans, and spinach.