Long before fish oil became a supplement aisle favorite, it was prized by ancient civilizations for its powerful health benefits. From the fermented fish sauces of the Phoenicians and Romans to the cod liver oil boom in colonial America, omega-3s have always played a crucial role in human health—especially for reducing inflammation, the root cause of most chronic diseases.
In this episode of The Wellness Zone, Dr. Barry Sears takes you on a fascinating journey through the history of fish oil—from 18th-century transatlantic cod trade to the Norwegian innovations that transformed the industry. You’ll even hear why kids in the early 1900s were force-fed spoonfuls of cod liver oil before leaving the house—and how that tablespoon delivered 25 times more omega-3s than the average American gets today.
But not all fish oil is created equal. Dr. Sears also breaks down the importance of purity, potency, and what to look for in a high-quality supplement today.
🎧 Tune in and discover why Fish Oil Has Been a Health Staple for Centuries | The Wellness Zone Podcast with Dr. Barry Sears and Mary Perry.
9 comments
Congratulations on an interesting and informative talk! I learned a great deal.
Thank you!
I cannot afford to listen to podcasts. I live on SS benefits and although I continue to use Zone fish oil my other expenses prevent additional spending. I would think receiving these benefits would be an adequate thank you from you to me for my years as your customer!
Thank you so much for being a valued long-time customer! Just to clarify—our podcasts are completely free to watch and listen to. No payment is ever required. We hope you enjoy them! -Dr. Barry Sears
Glad I’ve been taking your fish oil for years now!
Dr Sears, I have followed you for more than 15 years. The Zone was my first real insight into hormonal control and it amazing impact on our health. I finally was able to shed 80# and keep it off with a coach and system ( lower car, protein forward much akin to the Zone). I have taken your fish oil for a number of years. My poop floats, LOL. Quite a few folks in the health space today seem to say that fish oil is usually not effective and in some cases can be inflammatory and its better to just eat wild caught fish one or two times a week. And supplements are just making your pee very expensive. What can you provide as a simple counter argument.
The simple argument is science-based: Measure your AA/EPA ratio. The lower the AA/EPA ratio, the longer you are going to live. Ideally, your AA/EPA ratio should be between 1.5 and 3. If so, then you have no need for any fish oil supplementation. Unfortunately, only about 1 per cent of Americans are in that range. The reason is that most fish consumed consists of lean fish that contain very low levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and as a result most Americans have an AA/EPA ratio greater than 15 indicating high levels of inflammation that will shorten your lifespan.
Hello Dr Sears. I live in California, and fasting is popular here. How do you feel about fasting for at least a day to begin with? I’m 86y and my son who lives in Silicon Valley where fasting is especially popular, is wanting me to fast too in order to extend my life. Although he advises me to start by gradually eating my evening meal earlier, and not to eat more until breakfast time, I really feel at 114 lbs, at 5′ 2″, I eat zoned meals, am well with lots of energy, and work out regularly that I’m just fine, without fasting from time to time. Dr Sears, with all the research you’ve done, what do you think?
If you want to extend your lifespan (as well as healthspan), then you want to be in the Zone, which is defined by your blood markers. These blood levels are HOMA-IR, your AA/EPA ratio, and your HbA1c levels. Your son is partially correct on meal timing. You want to eat your first meal as soon as you wake up and consume your last meal before the set sets. Your body runs on circadian rhythms, not an Apple Watch. You are obviously doing a great job.