Fish oil has
been gaining popularity over the last couple of years due to its benefits to
human health, advantages in aquaculture, and even because of controversies about
its nutritional value.
The fish oil
is primarily derived from herring, pilchard, and anchovy using several
processes to extract oil. The benefits of fish oil make its use vital in
several industries including pharmaceutical, cosmetics, paints & coatings. Moreover,
the production of wax, leather, and rubber depends on fish oil. For decades,
fish oil is an important part of the kitchen and is often added to cooking oils
to boost their nutritional value.
According to
Allied Market Research, the global
fish oil market is expected
to reach $2.84 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.79% from 2021 to 2027.
Rise in demand from the aquaculture industry, surge in health awareness among
consumers, and increase in the aging population drive the growth of the market.
Inclusion of
fish Oil in the Diet
The
inclusion of omega-3 supplements is observed to reduce cardiovascular risks in
humans, making any source that can offer omega-3 supplements vital for
pharmaceutical companies. This is one of the prime reasons for the ever-growing
demand for fish oil. Fish oil is a valuable source of not only omega-3 fatty
acids but also Vitamins A and D. What’s more, some researchers conclude that the
rarity of heart diseases is directly associated with diets that are rich in
fish including sardines, salmon, and herring. Such researches and discoveries
have made fish oil a gold mine for pharmaceutical companies.
According to
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), fish oil is recognized as a safe
food. Its user intake should be about 3 grams per day for an adult. However,
babies under the age of 1 need a lower dose of 0.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids
per day. For toddlers who are just starting on solid food, their diet should
include a variety of food such as fish. There is not a thumb rule for including
fish oil in your baby’s diet. Thus, it is best to consult a paediatrician.
Fish Oil and
Neurological Disorders
Fish oil has
gained importance in neuropathy and for all good reasons. According to some
studies, omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil could help to restore nerves in mice
suffering from diabetes. The study concludes with a positive effect of fish oil
in reversing the effects of diabetic neuropathy.
Researchers
have been observing the effects of fish oils on humans for years. Our brain is
made up of around 60% fat and the majority of it is omega-3 fatty acids. Thus,
omega-3s are instrumental for brain functions. Some studies indicated that
people with certain mental disorders show lower levels of omega-3s in their
blood. Thus, the use of fish oil supplements could help improve some mental
disorders and could prevent psychotic disorders. In fact, some studies have
been observing the use of higher doses of fish oil to treat symptoms in bipolar
and schizophrenic patients.
Fish Oil and
Sustainability
The world is
riding the wave of sustainability and the fish industry is not unaffected. While
the demand for fish oil has been increasing each year, consumers are now
concerned with its effects on the environment. The question, ‘Is the fish oil
industry sustainable has been raised quite a few times.’
The majority
of the fish that are used to produce fish oil products are salmon, forage fish,
and mackerel. There are some downfalls of overfishing that are observed in certain
parts of the world such as the decreased population of forage fish. What’s
more, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has shown that the fish
population is in imminent danger if the current pattern of overfishing and fish
population continues.
To solve
such issues, several companies have invested in fish oil alternatives and
sustainable ways of fish farming. In addition, the world is now more aware of
the benefits of the vegan diet. Thus, the use of algal oil instead of fish oil could
help you fulfil omega-3s requirements. As fish and humans do not produce
omega-3s by themselves. Fish are a middleman when it comes to the process of
using fish for gaining omega-3s. Thus, instead of overfishing fish oil, we can
opt for plant-based omega-3s.
On the other
hand, sustainable fish farming has gained traction in certain parts of the
world. The advancements in technology have helped to monitor the health of
fisheries and keeping track of their diet. Moving aquaculture out in the open
ocean instead of the near shore is one of the beneficial ways of sustainable
fish farming. The open ocean offers more consistent salinity and temperature
making the fishes less stressed and vulnerable to diseases.
Such
initiative to restore the balance in the fish industry has opened new
opportunities for the market players. The benefits of fish oil are unavoidable
and not every industry would leverage the use of eco-friendly alternatives.
Thus, sustainable aquaculture has offered a silver lining for the fish oil
market.
Author Bio
Swamini Kulkarni
Swamini Kulkarni holds a bachelor’s degree in
Instrumentation and control engineering from Pune University and works as a
content writer at Allied Market Research. She is deeply fascinated by the
impact of technology on human life and loves to talk about science and
mythology. When she is not glued to the computer, she loves to read, travel and
daydream about her areas of interest.
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