There is no conclusive evidence that fish oil can lower high cholesterol. In fact, some studies report that it may have an association with higher lower-density lipoprotein levels.

The relationship between diet, cholesterol, and disease is complex. Oily fish and fish oil supplements may benefit heart health as part of a balanced diet, but not always. There is conflicting research on the effect of fish oil supplementation

In this article, we will examine whether people should take fish oil to lower cholesterol, other ways to benefit from omega-3, and other approaches to lowering cholesterol.

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Fish oil is a fat that comes from oily fish, such as herring, mackerel, and salmon. It is available as a liquid or in capsules. People can also obtain it from their diet.

Many people take fish oil as a supplement due to its omega-3 content. Omega-3 fatty acids are linked to a number of health benefits, includingTrusted Source:

  • lowering the chances of heart disease
  • mildly improving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
  • aiding the growth of a fetus during pregnancy

There are three main types of omega-3. Each has a different effect on the body. They are:

  • eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
  • docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
  • alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

Fish oil primarily contains EPA and DHA, though the exact dosages can vary considerably depending on what type of fish the oil came from, as well as the brand or manufacturer.

There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol. Research is mixed on the efficacy of fish oil supplements in lowering these levels.

For example, some researchTrusted Source suggests that omega-3 fatty acid intake is associated with an increase in LDL cholesterol when treated with DHA (a type of omega-3 fatty acid), while other reviews claim it does not have a marked effect at all.

However, fish oil also alters the composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol, reducing the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.

There are a number of effective ways to lower cholesterol. These include:

Dietary changes

A person’s diet significantly impacts their cholesterol levels. Making healthy dietary changes can help lower bad cholesterol levelsTrusted Source and, in turn, reduce a person’s risk of cardiovascular complications.

Lifestyle changes

A person can also lower their cholesterol with a number of lifestyle changes. These include:

Regular exercise and reaching a healthy weight are essential of cholesterol management. Adults require a minimum of 150 minutes moderate-intensity activity per week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source.

Medication

People with high cholesterol may require medication. The most common medications are statins.

Some people feel reluctant to take statins. However, statins are a safe and well-tolerated medication that effectively decreases cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of death.

While fish oil supplements may not help people with high cholesterol, there are other forms of omega-3 that they may benefit from. These include:

EPA

EPA can lower blood triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat. High triglyceride levels, or hypertriglyceridemia, are associated with a number of diseases, including:

EPA products can help people with high triglyceride levels, whether or not they also have high cholesterol.

ALA

ALA is a type of omega-3 that comes from plant foods, such as:

  • nuts, such as walnuts
  • seeds such as flax, chia, and hemp
  • plant oils, such as those made from canola, soybean, and flax
  • some vegetables, such as edamame beans

For most people, it is beneficial to consume oily fish. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 recommends that most adults eat at least 8 ouncesTrusted Source of low-mercury fish and seafood each week.

On average, this gives someone 250 milligrams of DHA and EPA per day, though the exact amount will depend on the type of fish. However, because some fish and seafood contain dietary cholesterol, people who struggle to control their cholesterol levels may need to be more cautious.

Fish oil is not an effective treatment for high cholesterol. In some cases, the DHA in fish oil appears to raise LDL cholesterol. As a result, people who are concerned about elevated cholesterol should not rely on it.

However, many people can still eat fish and seafood in moderate amounts or obtain other health benefits from other forms of omega-3, such as EPA or ALA.

People who want to lower their cholesterol can speak with a doctor about making dietary and lifestyle changes or about trying a medication.