New findings challenge ideas about fish oil benefits, dangers

WASHINGTON – Fish oil has long been used for its supposed medicinal properties, but whether it actually works has been debated.

However, new research leans in the direction of fish oil boosting the immune system.

Science Daily reports scientists found that DHA-rich fish oil can enhance the activity of B cells, which are a type of white blood cell.

The findings indicate that fish oil, which Science Daily says is widely thought to reduce inflammation, doesn’t necessarily hurt the immune system when doing so. That could clear the way for those with weaker immune systems to be able to use fish oil and benefit from it.

To read more about the study and how scientists arrived at their conclusions, visit Science Daily.

WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

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