Fish oil supplements, especially those for children, are often marketed as heart-healthy and brain-boosting thanks to omega‑3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA. Globally and in India, parents give these to kids to support growth and immunity—but recent research shows potential hidden risks from industrial pollutants, especially PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
The risk is serious, regardless of purity claims. Until verified safe sources are routinely available, food-first strategies—including breastfeeding, small oily fish, and fortified plant-based DHA—are the prudent choice for supporting child development and minimising exposure to persistent toxins.
- Childhood Cod Liver Oil and Asthma: A Closer Look
Early case–control studies linked cod liver oil intake in children with increased asthma risk later in life. However, these relied on flawed memory and could suffer from reverse causation—i.e., children with early asthma were more likely to have been given cod liver oil.
A landmark 2013 cohort study of 17,000 individuals followed over 11 years found that cod liver oil use was significantly associated with developing asthma, possibly due to high vitamin A content or other harmful substances in the oil.
- PCB Contamination in Children’s Fish Oil Products
A U.S.-based analysis tested 13 over-the-counter children’s fish oil supplements, finding PCBs in every single product. Average concentrations were 9 ± 8 ng/g, delivering up to 50 ng/day, which can exceed the EPA’s reference dose in many cases.
Notably:
• Molecular distillation or sourcing from smaller fish did not reduce PCB levels significantly.
• All products, regardless of purity claims, contained measurable contaminants.
- Implications for India
While no large-scale Indian study has yet tested fish oil supplements for PCBs, the contamination patterns are similar globally, making it likely that Indian supplements share these risks. In India:
• Dietary supplement regulation is less stringent than in Western markets.
• Mislabeling, poor testing, and limited oversight increase contamination risk.
Unless supplements are certified by robust third-party tests (e.g., IFOS or GOED standards), PCB exposure via fish oil cannot be discounted.
- Are the Claimed Health Benefits Worth the Risk?
Fish-derived omega‑3s are thought to support:
• Brain and eye development in infants
• Anti-inflammatory effects are beneficial for asthma or atopic conditions
However, these benefits often come from algal-derived DHA, breast milk, or fish intake—not contaminated supplements.
Moreover, research (e.g., Johns Hopkins, 2019) shows that dietary omega‑3 intake—especially from whole foods like fatty fish and walnuts—may reduce asthma symptoms in polluted environments, while omega‑6 fats may worsen them. But fish oil capsules were not tested in these asthma studies.
So, the potential developmental and respiratory benefits may be outweighed by contaminant risks, especially when safer alternatives exist.
- Safe Alternatives: Best Practices for Indian Families
Prefer Food Sources First:
• Encourage consumption of small oily fish (e.g., Indian mackerel, sardines), which typically have lower PCB levels than cod liver or predator fish.
• Use fortified foods with algae-derived DHA, such as toddler formula available in urban Indian markets.
Breasts is Best:
• Breast milk naturally balances DHA and other nutrients without industrial contaminant risk—making it the safest omega‑3 source for infants.
If Using Supplements:
• Choose only those third-party verified for PCB/dioxin safety (e.g. GOED or IFOS certified).
• Avoid cod liver oil in children under medical advice, due to high vitamin A and pollution risk.
• Prefer algal DHA supplements, widely available in India, especially for vegan families.
References
1. Greger M.D., NutritionFacts.org, PCBs in Children’s Fish Oil Supplements, 2016 (updated 2022)
2. Ashley JT et al., Food Addit Contam Part A, PCB levels in 13 children’s supplements, 2013
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine, Omega‑3 intake & childhood asthma symptoms, Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 2019
4. Whyand T. et al., Respiratory Research, diet’s role in air pollution impact, 2018
5. Wikipedia & industry sources on PCBs, fish oil contamination, GOED standards, etc.
Give a Reply