Researchers gave omega-3 fish oil supplements to 39 college-aged women with low iron for 8 weeks to see if it would help their bodies store iron better. The women who took the supplements showed a small increase in a marker called serum ferritin, which indicates how much iron the body is storing. However, the supplements didn’t change their actual blood iron levels or hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in blood). This is an early-stage study, so scientists need to do more research with larger groups before making strong recommendations about using fish oil for iron problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking omega-3 fish oil supplements could help young women with low iron levels store and use iron better in their bodies
  • Who participated: 39 female college students between ages 18-29 who had low iron levels. They were randomly split into two groups: one took fish oil supplements and one took nothing
  • Key finding: Women taking fish oil supplements for 8 weeks showed a small increase in serum ferritin (a measure of iron storage) compared to the control group. The increase was modest and statistically significant, but their actual blood iron levels and hemoglobin didn’t change
  • What it means for you: This early research suggests fish oil might help the body store iron slightly better, but it’s too soon to recommend it as an iron treatment. More research is needed before doctors would suggest this approach. If you have low iron, talk to your doctor about proven treatments first

The Research Details

This was a small pilot study where researchers randomly assigned 39 young women with low iron into two equal groups. One group took fish oil supplements containing specific omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) daily for 8 weeks, while the other group received no supplement. The researchers measured iron-related markers in the blood at the start and end of the study. A statistician who didn’t know which group was which analyzed the results to avoid bias. The study was “open-label,” meaning both the participants and researchers knew who was getting the supplement, which is a limitation because it could influence results.

This research approach is important because it’s an early exploration of a new idea—that fish oil might affect how the body handles iron. By using random assignment and a control group, the researchers could see if the supplement actually caused the changes or if they happened by chance. However, because this is a small pilot study, the results are preliminary and need confirmation with larger, more rigorous studies

Strengths: The study had good adherence (95% of participants completed it), used random assignment, and had a blinded statistician analyzing results. Weaknesses: The sample size was very small (39 people), there was no placebo control group (the control group got nothing, not a fake pill), and it only lasted 8 weeks. These limitations mean the findings are exploratory and shouldn’t be considered definitive

What the Results Show

The main finding was that women taking omega-3 supplements showed a modest increase in serum ferritin levels (the marker of iron storage) compared to the control group. The supplement group’s ferritin increased by about 7.8 units on average, while the control group’s increased by only 1.8 units. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it probably wasn’t due to chance. However, the actual hemoglobin levels (the protein that carries oxygen in blood) didn’t change between groups, which is important because hemoglobin is what doctors actually care about when treating iron deficiency. The supplements also didn’t affect hepcidin, a hormone that controls iron absorption. The omega-3 supplements did successfully increase the omega-3 index in the blood and improved the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, showing the supplements were actually being absorbed and used by the body.

The study found that omega-3 supplementation improved several blood fat markers related to inflammation and heart health. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids decreased, and the ratio of arachidonic acid to EPA improved—both changes that are generally considered beneficial. No adverse events or side effects were reported during the 8-week period, suggesting the supplements were safe for this group of young women

This appears to be the first study specifically looking at whether omega-3 supplements affect iron storage in young women. Previous research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may benefit heart health, but their effect on iron metabolism was unknown. The modest increase in ferritin is interesting but needs to be confirmed, as most iron-deficiency treatments focus on iron supplements directly rather than fish oil

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s very small with only 39 participants, so the results might not apply to larger populations. Second, there was no placebo control group—the control group received nothing, not a fake pill, which could create bias. Third, the study only lasted 8 weeks, so we don’t know if the effects continue longer or if they’re temporary. Fourth, the increase in ferritin was small and didn’t translate to improvements in actual blood iron levels or hemoglobin. Finally, the study only included healthy young women, so results might differ in other age groups or in people with more severe iron deficiency

The Bottom Line

Based on this early-stage research, omega-3 fish oil supplements are NOT recommended as a primary treatment for iron deficiency. If you have low iron, work with your doctor on proven treatments like iron supplements or dietary changes first. Fish oil might be a complementary approach worth discussing with your healthcare provider, but more research is needed. Confidence level: LOW—this is preliminary research that needs confirmation

This research is most relevant to young women with iron deficiency who are interested in complementary approaches. However, it’s too early for anyone to change their treatment based on these findings. People with bleeding disorders, those taking blood thinners, or those with fish allergies should avoid omega-3 supplements without medical guidance. Anyone with diagnosed iron deficiency should continue working with their doctor on evidence-based treatments

In this 8-week study, changes in ferritin appeared relatively quickly. However, the changes were modest and didn’t improve actual blood iron levels. If someone were to try this approach (with doctor approval), they should expect to wait at least 8-12 weeks to see any potential effects and should continue monitoring iron levels with blood tests

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If a user is taking omega-3 supplements under medical supervision, they could track: daily supplement intake (yes/no), any symptoms of iron deficiency (fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness), and blood test results for ferritin and hemoglobin every 8-12 weeks
  • Users interested in supporting iron health could use the app to: track omega-3 supplement adherence if recommended by their doctor, log iron-rich foods (red meat, beans, spinach), and set reminders for blood work appointments to monitor iron levels
  • Long-term tracking should include: monthly supplement adherence rates, quarterly blood test results for iron markers (ferritin, hemoglobin, iron levels), symptom tracking for iron deficiency signs, and dietary intake of iron-rich foods. Users should share this data with their healthcare provider to determine if the approach is working

This research is preliminary and exploratory. Omega-3 supplements should NOT be used as a replacement for proven iron deficiency treatments. If you have been diagnosed with iron deficiency or anemia, consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplements. This study was small and short-term; larger, longer studies are needed to confirm these findings. Always inform your doctor about supplements you’re taking, especially if you’re on blood thinners or have bleeding disorders. The findings presented here are not medical advice and should not be used to make treatment decisions without professional medical guidance.