Fish oil, omega-3


A class of fatty acids found in fish oils, especially from salmon and other cold-water fish, that acts to lower the levels of cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoproteins) in the blood. (LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol.)

Omega-3 fish oil is therefore thought to be a neutraceutical, a food that provides health benefits. Eating fish has been reported to protect against late age-related macular degeneration, a common eye disease. The maximum benefit appears to be from eating fish once a week.

(In technical terms, omega-3 fatty acids have a double bond three carbons from the methyl moiety.)

Read Also:

  • Fish odor syndrome

    Fish-odor syndrome: An inborn error of metabolism that is associated with an offensive body odor whose scent is similar to the smell of rotting fish. Fish-odor syndrome is due to the excessive excretion of trimethylamine (TMA) in urine, sweat, and breath. This syndrome is caused by a mutation in the gene for the enzyme flavin-containing […]

  • Fisher's exact test

    Fisher’s exact test: A statistical test of independence much used in medical research. It tests the independence of rows and columns in a 2 X 2 contingency table (with 2 horizontal rows crossing 2 vertical columns creating 4 places for data) based on the exact sampling distribution of the observed frequencies. Hence it is an […]

  • Fissure

    Fissure: A cleft or groove. A fissure can be normal or abnormal. A fissure in the cerebral cortex is a normal feature. It is a deep fold that involves the entire thickness of the brain wall. A fissure in the anus is abnormal. It is a painful crack in the edge of the anus and […]

  • Fistula

    Fistula: An abnormal passageway in the body. The fistula may go from the body surface into a blindpouch or into an internal organ or go between two internal organs. For a common example, an anal fistula has an opening in the skin near the anus that leads into a blind pouch or may connect through […]

  • Fistulize

    Fistulize: To form or make a fistula, an abnormal passageway. As, for example, fistulizing Crohn’s disease.


Disclaimer: Fish oil, omega-3 definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.