After encountering numerous articles and videos comparing the cognitive benefits of fish to fish oil (I am not yet adept at deciphering scientific articles), I have become increasingly skeptical of the benefits of the former. Many of these sources either make one of two claims.
Fish oil has absolutely no benefits of cognition
Fish oil’s benefits on cognition pale in comparison to that of fish
As to the reasons for the disparity of the findings, it is usually explained either by:
The presence of additional rare nutrients found in fish not present in fish oil
The EPA and DHA is not as well absorbed or incorporated into the body as when it is absorbed directly from fish.
The question I therefore pose to the knowledgeable reader is:
Can the benefits of fish be replicated simply by supplementing the rare nutrients found in fish (EPA,DHA, phosphatidylserine, iodine, choline)?
The only reliable way to find out is by taking the supplements for a few weeks, stopping for a few weeks, then continuing for a few weeks to see if you notice any changes in your moods or brain clarity. I have run out without thinking about it a few times, then notice I’ve felt either foggy or crabby and decide to buy more.
EPA and DHA don’t cross blood brain barrier.So it doesn’t have direct cognitive benefits.
If you can eat fish, then eat fish. If you can’t take supplements.It really doesn’t matter how you get it as long as you get it. Fish has other benefits.
You can also take algal oil supplements.