Nothing fishy about supplementing your workout

TAKING FISH OIL while regularly working out may be a good bet for reducing body fat and improving cardiovascular health, according to research from the School of Health Sciences at the University of South Australia. A new study randomly placed overweight people with high blood pressure, cholesterol, or triglycerides into one of four groups.

Participants either took fish oil supplements, took fish oil while exercising regularly, took a placebo, or took a placebo while exercising regularly. The study found that regardless of working out, those who supplemented with 6 g of tuna fish oil (providing 1.9 g of omega-3 fatty acids) had lower triglycerides, more HDL "good" cholesterol, and better blood vessel function than study participants who did not supplement. Because physical activity independently improves risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including lowering blood pressure, researchers concluded that combining fish oil supplements with working out is the best way to go.

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