Is Rancid Fish Oil Killing You?

Summary

This video addresses concerns about the potential harm of oxidized fish oil supplements. Despite the known health benefits of fish oil, there's worry that rancid or oxidized forms could be detrimental. The video reviews a study that found no increase in body oxidation from consuming oxidized fish oil, suggesting it's not harmful. However, it acknowledges the possibility of other unknown negative effects and emphasizes the importance of sourcing fish oil from reputable suppliers for quality assurance.

Takeaways

• 🤔 There are concerns about the potential health risks of consuming oxidized fish oil, which could negate the health benefits it's known for.
• 🔬 A study was referenced that examined the effects of oxidized fish oil on bodily oxidation, aiming to determine if it leads to increased cellular damage.
• 🧪 The study involved three groups consuming different types of oils: sunflower oil, non-oxidized fish oil, and oxidized fish oil, with the focus on measures of body oxidation.
• 📊 The study found no significant increase in oxidation across three measures in the group that consumed oxidized fish oil, suggesting it does not contribute to an increased oxidative state of the body.
• 📈 Other researchers acknowledge the study's findings but suggest that oxidized fish oil might have other negative health effects not measured in the study.
• 🐟 Studies exposing animals to high concentrations of oxidized fats have shown potential heart problems and inflammation, but these are not directly comparable to the consumption of oxidized fish oil by humans.
• 💊 Some research indicates that oxidized fish oil might hinder the reduction in blood cholesterol seen with non-oxidized fish oil, but the evidence is not conclusive.
• 🛒 It's important to purchase fish oil supplements from reputable suppliers, as they are more likely to have lower levels of oxidation.
• 🔎 The evidence currently available does not strongly support the claim that oxidized fish oil causes significant health harm, and some studies suggest it may be neutral or even beneficial for certain health markers like triglycerides.
• ⚖️ The fear around oxidized fish oil may be overstated, and more research is needed to fully understand its impact on health.

Q & A

What is the main concern regarding fish oil supplements mentioned in the script?

The main concern is that fish oils can become rancid, oxidized, and potentially harmful to health if they are not in good condition.

What happens when cells become overly oxidized?

When cells become overly oxidized, they are damaged, which means they don't function correctly and are more prone to dying.

How do omega-3 fats affect cell membranes?

Omega-3 fats are incorporated into the cell membrane, improving the cell's ability to function by changing its fluidity and engaging with various molecules, including hormones.

What are lipid peroxides and how do they affect cell membranes?

Lipid peroxides are oxidized forms of omega-3 fats. They can increase the oxidation of nearby fats, which could lead to a high risk of oxidation in cell membranes, potentially causing damage.

What was the purpose of the study mentioned in the script?

The study aimed to assess the impact of oxidized fish oil on the body's oxidation levels and to determine if it contributes to an increased oxidative state.

What were the three groups in the study, and what were they given?

The three groups were given sunflower oil, nonoxidized fish oil, and oxidized fish oil to compare their effects on body oxidation.

What were the three measures of body oxidation used in the study?

The three measures of body oxidation used were 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (4-HHE), nonanal, and an assessment of lipid peroxidation and inflammation called 8-isoprostane PGF2α.

What were the results of the study regarding the effect of oxidized fish oil on body oxidation?

The study found no significant increase in body oxidation across the three measures in the oxidized fish oil group, suggesting it does not contribute to an increased oxidative state of the body.

What are some other potential negative effects of oxidized fish oil mentioned in the script?

Other potential negative effects mentioned include causing heart problems, inflammation, and possibly impeding the reduction in blood cholesterol seen with nonoxidized fish oil.

What is the conclusion drawn from the study regarding the health impact of oxidized fish oil?

The conclusion from the study is that oxidized fish oil does not have a negative effect on health based on the measures taken, and there is no evidence to suggest it causes harm.

What is the recommendation for consumers of fish oil supplements based on the script?

The recommendation is to purchase fish oil supplements from reputable suppliers that have their products independently tested to ensure they are not oxidized.

Outlines

00:00

🔬 Impact of Oxidized Fish Oil on Health

The paragraph discusses concerns regarding the potential health risks of consuming rancid or oxidized fish oil supplements. It highlights the importance of understanding the science behind oxidized fish oil and its effects on the body. The speaker references a study that evaluated the impact of oxidized fish oil on bodily oxidation levels. The study involved three groups consuming different types of oils and measured various biomarkers of oxidation and inflammation. The results indicated that oxidized fish oil did not significantly increase the oxidative state of the body, contradicting common fears. However, the speaker acknowledges that there might be other, unmeasured health consequences of consuming oxidized fish oil.

05:01

🐟 The Effects of Oxidized Fish Oil: A Closer Look

This paragraph delves deeper into the debate surrounding oxidized fish oil, presenting contrasting research findings. It mentions studies that have shown high concentrations of oxidized fats can lead to health issues in animals, such as heart problems and inflammation. However, it also points out that certain biomarkers, like 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE), did not change with oxidized fish oil consumption, suggesting it might not be a significant concern. The speaker critiques other studies that claim oxidized fish oil impedes the reduction of blood cholesterol, arguing that the evidence presented is contradictory. The paragraph concludes by suggesting that while oxidized fish oil may not be harmful, it might have some beneficial effects, such as reducing triglycerides. The speaker emphasizes the importance of purchasing fish oil from reputable suppliers and considering independently tested brands.

Keywords

💡Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil supplements are concentrated sources of omega-3 fatty acids, typically derived from fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines. These supplements are commonly used for their potential health benefits, such as improving heart health and reducing inflammation. In the video, concerns are raised about the potential for these supplements to become rancid or oxidized, which could negate their benefits or even pose health risks.

💡Rancid

Rancid refers to the spoilage of food, particularly fats and oils, due to oxidation. This process can lead to off-flavors, odors, and potentially harmful compounds. In the context of the video, the term is used to express concerns about fish oil supplements that have gone bad, potentially due to improper storage or handling, which could lead to health issues for consumers.

💡Oxidized

Oxidized, in the context of the video, refers to the chemical reaction where oxygen interacts with a substance, leading to the formation of harmful compounds. When fish oil becomes oxidized, it can form lipid peroxides, which are potentially damaging to the body. The video discusses the impact of oxidized fish oil on health, questioning whether it contributes to increased oxidative stress.

💡Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is a condition where the body's cells are damaged due to an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals are molecules that can cause cell damage, and antioxidants help neutralize them. The video explores the hypothesis that oxidized fish oil might increase oxidative stress, potentially harming cell function and increasing the risk of diseases.

💡Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that plays a crucial role in the health of the heart, brain, and other body systems. They are primarily found in fish and some plant sources. In the video, omega-3s are discussed as a key component of fish oil supplements, which can be beneficial when not oxidized but potentially harmful when they become oxidized lipid peroxides.

💡Cell Membrane

The cell membrane is a lipid bilayer that surrounds and protects the cell, controlling the passage of substances in and out. In the video, it is mentioned that omega-3 fats are incorporated into the cell membrane, affecting its fluidity and function. If these fats are oxidized, they could potentially disrupt the membrane's integrity and contribute to cellular damage.

💡Lipid Peroxides

Lipid peroxides are harmful compounds that form when fats and oils are oxidized. They can cause further oxidation of other fats, leading to a cascade of damage. The video discusses how oxidized omega-3 fats, or lipid peroxides, could increase the oxidation of cell membranes, which are primarily composed of lipids.

💡Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's response to harmful stimuli, including damaged cells or pathogens. It is a complex biological process that involves immune cells and molecules. The video mentions inflammation as a potential outcome of oxidative stress, suggesting that oxidized fish oil might contribute to increased inflammation in the body.

💡C-reactive Protein

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. It is often used as a marker to assess the level of inflammation in the body. In the video, CRP is mentioned as one of the measures researchers looked at to determine the impact of oxidized fish oil on inflammation.

💡Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood, and high levels can be a risk factor for heart disease. The video discusses a study where oxidized fish oil seemed to have a positive effect on triglyceride levels, suggesting that while it might not increase oxidative stress, it could still have other health effects.

Highlights

Concerns about rancid and oxidized fish oils potentially causing health harm.

The impact of oxidized fish oil on bodily oxidation is a subject of scientific study.

Omega-3 fats are integral to cell membrane health, affecting cell function and fluidity.

Oxidized Omega-3s, or lipid peroxides, can increase oxidation of nearby fats.

A study compared the effects of sunflower oil, non-oxidized fish oil, and oxidized fish oil on body oxidation.

The study found no significant increase in body oxidation from oxidized fish oil consumption.

Researchers measured oxidation through three biomarkers: 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal, 4-hydroxynonenal, and 8-isoprostane PGF2α.

The study's results indicated no change in oxidation levels with oxidized fish oil intake.

Other researchers suggest oxidized fish oil may have unmeasured negative health effects.

Studies on animals show high concentrations of oxidized fats can lead to heart problems and inflammation.

A separate human study found oxidized fish oil did not increase liver damage, contrary to some claims.

Some research suggests oxidized fish oil may hinder the reduction of blood cholesterol.

The presenter disagrees with certain conclusions drawn from studies on oxidized fish oil's effects on cholesterol.

Oxidized fish oil appears to have no negative effects except possibly reducing triglycerides.

The level of oxidation required to cause harm in the study was extreme and unlikely to occur in typical fish oil supplements.

Reputable suppliers and independent testing can ensure the quality and safety of fish oil supplements.

The evidence does not strongly support the fear that oxidized fish oil is harmful to health.

Fish oil continues to offer profound health benefits as outlined in further research.

Transcripts

one of the chief complaints I see

popping up against fish oil supplements

is that fish oils are often rancid

oxidized and harmful to our health in

that form considering the many health

benefits linked to fish oil it's pretty

concerning to think that the fish oil

supplement that you've been using to

help your health is a double-edged sword

and causing you harm if it's gone bad so

let's discuss the science of oxidized

fish oil and how bad it really is for

you I actually looked into this a long

time ago and ran across a single study

in humans that assessed the impact

oxidized fish oil has on the body's

oxidation so means uh do you experience

greater oxidation of your cellular

components when fish oil is oxidized

this is of some concern because when our

cells become overly oxidized which means

that they become damaged at least in

this context the cells don't function

correctly and are more prone to Dying

For example omega-3 fats are known to be

incorporated into the membrane of your

cells that make up your body and once

Incorporated they can change the

fluidity of the cell improving the

cell's ability to function through the

scattered receptors that engage with

many molecules including hormones that

affect cell function However if those

Omega-3s are oxidized known as lipid

peroxides they can increase the

oxidation of nearby fats so say since

the cell membrane is primarily made up

of lipids fats it is a high risk of

oxidation if it's encountering these

lipid peroxides it makes sense then that

reducing oxidized Omega-3s would help

avoid the incorporation of damaging

oxidized Omega-3s lipid peroxides into

the cell membrane in that study the

researchers had three groups one was

given sunflower oil the other had a

confirmed nonoxidized fish oil and

another an oxidized fish oil then they

measured blood values of oxidation

across three measures of body oxidation

two were different forms of four hydroxy

2 hexanol and nonanol and the other

assessed lipid peroxidation and

inflammation called 8 isop pgf2 Alpha

the marketing department for these

molecules was on vacation during the

naming process clearly here's the data

and I'll walk you through it first let

me acknowledge two things uh one the

Baseline values between the two groups

were the same and two I'm cutting the

table in half to focus your attention on

the oxidation measures however in full

disclosure the researchers also looked

at some red blood cell measures of

oxidation as well as overall

inflammation marker called C-reactive

protein I'll spoil the plot by telling

you that well nothing changed in those

measures now disclosures out of the way

how do we read this we have the three

conditions up top fish oil oxidized fish

oil and sunflower oil and we have the

Baseline values including the median

value which is the main result that

we're focused on the medians we have the

results at the end of the study which

lasted just shy of two months also we

have our highly marketable oxidation

measures on the left that we discussed

and we have two P values are two

statistical comparisons on the very side

the first is the comparison of all three

baselines and the second is the

comparison of the change between

Baseline and the end of the study across

all three groups so if the oxidized fish

oil group had an increase in body lipid

peroxides of 60 and the sunflower

condition had a reduction of 20 it would

detect that difference finally if any of

the P values are below 0.05 it was

considered statistically significant so

all that explanation out of the way when

we look at the body oxidation across all

three metrics in our oxidized fish oil

group we're looking at the median

measures of before and after we see that

all three measures

show a reduction in

oxidation okay not quite to be fair the

True Result is no change statistically

speaking then we can then compare across

the groups and the results is are again

no difference so this data indicates

oxidized fish oil does not contribute to

increased oxidative state of the body

across these three measures however

other researchers while they acknowledge

the results of this study they also

point out that rancid or oxidized fish

oil may have other dous effects that we

aren't measuring here and honestly I

have to agree this study that we just

went over is pretty well conducted and

it clearly shows no negative effects but

we're also limited to the measures that

we have so it's possible that oxidized

Omega-3s May provide negative Health

consequences in ways that we haven't

measured yet is there any proof of that

though continuing with these researchers

they point out that there have been

studies injecting or exposing high

concentrations of oxidized fats in

animals to the effect of heart problems

inflammation and honestly much more

however interestingly they also referen

studies where hhe which is the uh four

hydroxy 2 hexanol that we discussed

earlier but the marketing department

came back from vacation anyway the

researchers injected hhe and showed

increased liver damage but considering

that we saw hhe didn't change with

oxidized fish oil consumption I don't

see this as much of a concern one more

study I found again in humans looked at

biomedical markers like triglycerides

cholesterol and blood sugar levels the

researchers argue that oxidized fish oil

does impede the reduction in blood

cholesterol seen in nonoxidized fish oil

but if I'm Frank with you although my

name's Nick I was incredulous as to how

they came to that conclusion when they

even show evidence to the contrary and

ignore other evidence in their own study

that also contradicts that verbiage here

look for yourself I won't go through it

all exhaustively but group two is the

group consuming more oxidized fish oil

none of the metrics worsened except

triglycerides was dramatically reduced I

don't know about you but that doesn't

scream problematic there's more to that

story but I'll just say that I disagree

with how they presented the conclusions

I would argue that oxidized fish oil has

no effect for the most part except

triglycerides where it seems to show a

benefit I'd also like to point out one

more thing which I think is really

important in this first study the

researchers had to expose omega-3 fats

to

100% pure oxygen for 20 minutes twice a

day for 21 days and then

encapsulated how many fish oil

manufacturers are going to be exposing

your encapsulated fish oil to that level

of oxidation that doesn't mean that

oxidation can't happen but analyses

quantifying the amount indicate it tends

to be a large minority so to be clear it

does happen but if you get ears directly

from a reputable supplier and there are

several it just doesn't seem to me that

we have anything near enough evidence to

claim grantd or oxidized fish oil is

actually causing Health harm in fact we

have evidence to the contrary of net

neutral I don't think that this is a

shut case and it's still possible

there's something there but the evidence

so far does not substantiate the level

of certain fear that some people are

exhibiting especially if you buy from

independently tested Brands speaking of

all this fish oil there are also

profound benefits like those outlined in

this next video right here I'll speak

with you over there bye