According to the experts at the European Society of Cardiology, eating fish is probably better for health than taking fish oil supplements because it contains other nutrients not present in the capsules.
Although it is presumed that the heart health benefits of fish come from fish oils, namely omega 3, this has not been proven, the experts said.
One of the two portions consumed a week should be oily fish, such as salmon, mackeral, sardine or trout, they said as these contain the highest levels of omega 3 fatty acids, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
Philip Calder at University of Southampton said: "Omega-3 fatty acids are really important to human health, whether you're talking about CVD, brain or immune health. Heath professionals have a key role to play in educating the public about beneficial effects of including fish in their diets."
Calder added: "It's important that health professionals give clear guidance around the need for patients to take 1 gm of omega-3 a day to achieve any beneficial effects. With over the counter brands containing different concentrations there's a danger people may not be receiving sufficient intakes."
However, eating fish was still considered better than taking supplements.
Daan Kromhout at Wageningen University in the Netherlands said: "This is because fish contain all sorts of other nutrients like vitamin D, selenium and iodine that may also be beneficial against cardiovascular disease. And we don't have the final proof that the benefits from eating fish come from the omega-3."
