Most of us try to eat a healthy diet, and for many of us, that includes several portions of fish each week as a major source of protein. By eating fish, you ingest Omega 3 fatty acids, long considered essential for a heart-healthy diet. So if eating fish is good for you, do you attain even more benefit if you take Omega 3 supplements? Is more the equivalent of healthier?

Well, it turns out that more is not only not healthier but, in fact, it may be deleterious to our environment as well. First, about the supplements. There is definitive research at this point that taking Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplements does not reduce your risk of cardiac disease or a fatal cardiac event. Read the research published in JAMA Here.

But the news is even worse than that. Paul Greenberg, an award-winning author and journalist who focuses on environmental issues, has just published a book called The Omega Principle which explains the rise of the multi-billion dollar Omega 3 supplement industry and how that industry has wreaked havoc on our oceanic environments. The harvesting of the tiny fish used in Omega 3 supplements has led to less bountiful oceans, with no real health benefits for the millions taking these supplements. It’s a fascinating tale of the corporate bottom line benefiting at the expense of our oceans, under the guise of improving consumer health. So put down your fish oil pills and listen here as Paul Greenberg explains the downside of the Omega 3 supplement industry, for humans and fish alike.