In many recent studies, fish oil has not lived up to its marketing claims. Specifically, it is no help for heart patients, does not forestall Alzheimer’s disease, does not prevent depression, and - so far at least - does not make babies smarter.

Back in 2005, a Journal of the American Medical Association report showed that fish oil may actually increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias in some patients. In the same year, JAMA also reported that fish oil does not prevent cancer.

The following year, the British Medical Journal reportedthat omega - 3 fatty acids have no heart - health benefit. Among nearly 4,000 heart attack patients, no difference was seen between those who consumed omega - 3 supplements and those who took placebo pills. That conclusion was echoed in 2009, when researchers found that consuming fish does not reduce the risk of heart failure. Then in 2010, the New England Journal of Medicine reported similarly dismal results with heart patients given omega - 3 fatty acids in addition to standard drug therapy. They had no reduction in cardiovascular events.

Surprisingly, Harvard linked fish and omega - 3 fats to type 2 diabetes. Following 195,204 adults for 14 to 18 years, researchers reported in 2009 that they had found that the more fish or long - chain omega - 3 fatty acids participants consumed, the higher their risk of developing diabetes.

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In case you’re interested in the references for these studies, here they are:

Hooper L, Thompson RL, Harrison RA, et al. Risks and benefits of omega-3 fats for mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer: systematic review. BMJ. 2006;332:752-760.