Various studies have established health benefits of fish oil, with its high concentration of omega-3. It can help people with major depression, schizophrenia, and postpartum depression. It improves brain power.

Recent research has shown that fish oil, with its high concentration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is very beneficial for patients with chronic heart failure. Italian researchers also found out that fish oil supplements are more helpful for chronic heart failure patients than popular cholesterol-reducing drug. These researchers carried out two parallel studies to reach this solution. These studies were financed by an Italian group of pharmaceuticals including Pfizer Inc., Sigma Tau SpA and AstraZeneca PLC.

In first study, first group of 3,500 patients were given a daily omega-3 pill while other group with same number of patients were given placebo pills. The study subjects were followed for 4 years. In first group, 1,981 died of heart failure or were admitted to the hospital with the problem while in second group, 2,053 died or were admitted to the hospital for heart failure.

In other study, first group of 2,285 patients was given the drug rosuvastatin, also known as Crestor while second group of 2,289 patients was given placebo pills. These groups were followed for four years. Researchers found no major difference in number of heart failure rates between the two groups.

These studies showed that the fish oil is slightly more effective than the drug. Researchers also found that the oil performed better against a placebo than did Crestor. The possible reason behind this could be that fish oils increase the body's good cholesterol levels. Moreover these oils also stabilize the electrical system in heart cells, to prevent abnormal heart rhythms whereas statins act on the body's bad cholesterol which doesn’t have similar impact on heart failure.

Dr. Douglas Weaver, president of the American College of Cardiology said that guidelines in the United States would likely change to recommend that more heart patients eat more fish or take supplements. He said this research has given ample evidence to prove the benefits of fish oil for patients with cardiovascular problems .He added: "This is a low-tech solution and could help all patients with cardiovascular problems."