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Is Fish Oil Dangerous for IBD? Rethinking a 2013 Mouse Study

Leave a Comment / Crohn’s Disease, Diet, Health, Inflammation, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Nutritional Supplements, Supplements, Ulcerative Colitis

A recent blog post reignited concern over a 2013 mouse study that suggested omega-3 fatty acids—typically praised for their anti-inflammatory effects—might increase mortality in colitis. The post warned against polyunsaturated fats, advised ditching supplements, and urged readers to rely solely on high-quality seafood. But does this study actually justify such alarm?

Let’s walk through the evidence, starting with the study itself.

What Did the 2013 Mouse Study Actually Find?

Researchers induced colitis in mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), a chemical that triggers acute inflammation. They then supplemented the mice’s diet with fish oil to observe its effects. The results were mixed: inflammation markers dropped, gut tissue improved, but mortality increased in the fish oil group exposed to high DSS levels.

This paradox—reduced inflammation but higher death rates—sparked concern. But the key question is whether these findings apply to humans.

Do Mouse Studies Translate to Human Risk?

Not directly. There are several reasons why this study doesn’t reflect real-world outcomes for people with IBD.

First, the dosage was extreme. Mice received omega-3 levels far beyond what humans typically consume. Such high doses can cause oxidative stress in rodents, especially without antioxidant support. In humans, even high-dose fish oil rarely causes more than mild gastrointestinal discomfort.

Second, the disease model was artificial. DSS-induced colitis is a short-term, chemically triggered condition. Human IBD is chronic, influenced by genetics, diet, microbiota, and immune regulation. The mouse model doesn’t capture that complexity.

Third, mice and humans differ biologically. Their metabolism, immune responses, and gut ecosystems are not the same. Mice are more vulnerable to oxidative damage from polyunsaturated fats, which may explain the mortality spike.

Finally, the study lacked nuance. It didn’t explore different formulations, antioxidant pairings, or long-term outcomes. It was a narrow experiment—not a comprehensive assessment of fish oil’s safety.

What Do Human Studies Say About Fish Oil and IBD?

Human research paints a much more reassuring picture.

A 2019 meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials involving over 1,100 patients found that omega-3 supplementation reduced intestinal inflammation, helped maintain remission in ulcerative colitis, and lowered disease activity in Crohn’s disease. These benefits are linked to specialized pro-resolving mediators like resolvins, which actively calm inflammation.

Other studies show that omega-3s improve gut microbiota diversity. For example, higher DHA levels have been associated with increased populations of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae—both of which support gut health and reduce inflammation.

Large-scale population studies also suggest a protective effect. A 2022 UK Biobank analysis of nearly half a million participants found that fish oil use was associated with a lower risk of ulcerative colitis. While not all results reached statistical significance, the trend was consistent.

Importantly, none of these studies reported increased mortality. Side effects were mild and manageable, typically limited to digestive discomfort.

So Should You Be Worried?

No. The 2013 mouse study was well-conducted, but its design makes it irrelevant to human health decisions. High-dose fish oil in chemically inflamed mice doesn’t reflect how supplements are used in real-world IBD management.

Human studies consistently show that omega-3s can reduce inflammation, support a healthier gut microbiome, and possibly lower IBD risk. There’s no evidence that they increase mortality in people.

Final Thought

Fish oil isn’t a cure-all, and it’s not without nuance. But it’s also not the villain some blogs make it out to be. If you’re using omega-3s to support IBD, the evidence is on your side—just be smart about dosing, formulation, and sourcing.

Hope that you have enjoyed this blog. If you can relate to the content of this article and would like to ask for help, leave a comment below or contact us at DearDr.com. We would love to hear from you. Together we can do great things, have fun with it, and end the day with greater hope and joy prepared to do even greater things for the future.

Uncover the Danger: How to Spot Counterfeit Supplements and Stay Safe

Leave a Comment / Diet, Health, Nutritional Supplements, Supplements

In today’s wellness boom, supplements promise sharper focus, better sleep, and longer life. But lurking behind glossy labels and five-star reviews are counterfeit products that can waste your money—or worse, harm your health.

Let’s break down how to spot them, avoid them, and stay safe while shopping smart.

What Are Counterfeit Supplements?

They mimic legitimate products in packaging and branding but contain little—or none—of what they claim.

Common tactics include:

Missing or diluted active ingredients (especially expensive ones like CoQ10 or NMN)
Cheap fillers like rice flour, chalk, or talc
Hidden pharmaceuticals (e.g., sildenafil in “natural” libido boosters)
Contaminants like gluten, soy, or shellfish in supposedly allergen-free products
Packaging errors: misspelled labels, missing lot numbers, odd lid textures

Example: A fake magnesium citrate bottle might look identical to the real one—until you notice the seal is missing and the pills smell off.

Why It’s a Big Deal

Counterfeit supplements aren’t just ineffective—they’re dangerous.

Risks include:

Wasted money and delayed treatment
Allergic reactions or toxic side effects
Vegan supplements contaminated with animal products
Hidden drugs that interact with prescriptions

A 2022 study found that nearly half of immune-support supplements sold on Amazon lacked key ingredients listed on the label. That’s not just misleading—it’s potentially harmful.

How to Spot a Fake
Before you buy, run a quick authenticity check:

Label & Packaging

Misspellings, blurry fonts, missing safety seals
No expiration date or lot number

Product Appearance

Strange smell, taste, or pill color
Texture that feels off or inconsistent

Price & Claims

Deep discounts or “limited time offers” can be red flags
Over-the-top claims like “cures cancer” or “works instantly” are suspect

How to Shop Smart

Want to avoid the fakes? Here’s your game plan:

Buy directly from brand websites when possible
Use trusted retailers like iHerb, VitaCost, or Swanson’s
Read reviews—especially those with photos and packaging complaints
Avoid third-party sellers on Amazon unless they use FN-SKU tracking
Report suspicious products to the FDA and the retailer

On Amazon, always check:

“Sold by” and “Ships from” should be the brand or Amazon itself
Avoid listings with vague seller names or no reviews

Amazon’s Anti-Counterfeit Arsenal

Amazon’s massive marketplace makes it a prime target for fakes. But they’re fighting back with tools like:

Tool	Purpose
Brand Registry	Protects IP and lets brands report fake listings
Serialization	Tracks individual products for authenticity
Project Zero	Uses AI to detect and remove counterfeits
FN-SKU Tracking	Prevents inventory mixing with other sellers

Example: NOW Foods discovered 11 counterfeit versions of their supplements sold by one shady seller. Fungi Perfecti found 23 fake storefronts selling contaminated mushroom products.

Final Thoughts: Stay Sharp, Stay Safe

Counterfeit supplements are sneaky, but you’re smarter. With a few simple habits—like checking labels, verifying sellers, and buying from trusted sources—you can protect your health and your wallet.

Rule of thumb: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Stay alert. Stay informed. And always choose the real deal.

How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions Throughout The Year

Leave a Comment / Diet, Excercise, Health, Resolutions

How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? Have you kept them and followed through so far with great success, or are you struggling thinking of giving up by now because you’ve lost the motivation you had on New Year’s Day? It’s February, soon to be Valentine’s Day, how are you doing on your new diet? Have you lost the weight yet or are you hoping the weight will come off in the next week? What about that new home project you started on January 1st, did you start it with great enthusiasm, but don’t feel like continuing with it anymore? Are you feeling overwhelmed with your New Year’s resolutions by now, or maybe considering postponing them to the summer, or even giving up on them altogether? Wait! Don’t give up on yourself yet because help is on the way. Keep reading on how to keep your New Year’s resolutions throughout the whole year and feel satisfied with yourself that you have accomplished your goals and are even ready to start new ones with even greater oomph and energy. Here’s how:

Ask Yourself:

When I thought about which New Year’s resolutions I could do was I being realistic about what I really need to do?

Many people often set an idealistic list of New Year’s resolutions that may be a struggle to follow through with which can often lead them to give up altogether shortly after weeks of trying. These feelings of despair or hopelessness set in way too quickly leaving you to feel unmotivated to achieve your newly set resolutions. Have you felt, “This is too hard or I don’t want to do this anymore?” You may be going through ‘mad-resolutions syndrome,’ a term I call out to folks who have set the bar for themselves so high that it often leads to feelings of giving up, because the goals that the person set for themselves did not realistically fit their current ability to achieve them. For example, say you set a New Year’s resolution to walk more, so you start walking three miles in your first week, then in the second week, you raise the bar for yourself to six miles, so by the time you reach the third or fourth week, you’re up to walking twelve miles or more, but then you find out you’ve developed plantar fasciitis on your right foot. You go to your doctor and he tells you you’ve now injured your foot and have to stop walking to allow it to heal. You now feel bummed, “What? I can’t walk anymore now? Argh!” Though it is good to set high standards for your New Year’s resolutions, they must be realistic and well planned out to avoid setting yourself up for an interruption that may limit or prevent you from achieving your resolution success.
When I thought about starting my New Year’s resolutions should I have asked for help from someone to help me stay motivated to complete them?

Most people usually don’t think about asking for help when they set forth to accomplish their resolutions, because they believe they can handle it by themselves. Thoughts like, “I can do this by myself,” I don’t need anybody’s help,” or “This is easy-peasy for me just watch me” can set in after you’ve complied your resolutions list, and for some people these thoughts reign true where they move forward on their own alone. Others may find it more helpful and encouraging to have someone who is able to help them offer their time and guidance so that they don’t feel all alone. Have you considered asking a reliable friend, relative, or professional for their time or advice? A friend can offer support and encouragement, as well as a relative could. A professional can offer you wise advice and guidance to help you steer in the right direction and support you through the process of achieving success with the resolutions you desire and wish to complete. It is often said that with the help of others, their genuine love, care, support, encouragement, and wise counsel can help you with setting yourself up for success and keep you running the whole year through with a greater enthusiasm. When we know people care about us and take the time to help, we can do greater things together than apart. Set yourself up for success to achieve your New Year’s resolutions by asking for help.
When I thought about which New Year’s resolutions to put on my list, did I include to having fun?

“Fun? I can have fun completing my New Year’s resolutions? How is that possible? I don’t know how I can have fun putting myself through more exercise, changing my eating habits, or even changing any bad habits that I have for that matter!” Often times on New Year’s Day people set their resolutions, start them the same day with good intentions, but quickly lose attraction to them, because they feel bored or unmotivated to keep them. Feelings like, “What am I doing this for? This is torture! I’m not enjoying this anymore, and I’m not doing this anymore!” can overwhelm you to the point of wanting to quit. So what’s missing? Fun! Enjoyment! Happiness! Have you included how to have fun completing your resolutions or have you set yourself up for gloom and doom from the start? News flash! You can have fun while learning and going through the process of resolution success. You can also give yourself wiggle room for some days, a day of rest, and not set strict guidelines or expiration dates. Remember you’re human and know yourself, what does not work for you and what motivates you. If you aim for the stars and suffer all the way on your voyage you’ll probably avoid travelling to the stars ever again. Instead, aim for the earth so you’ll have a better chance of staying grounded while having fun with your resolution voyage and stopping to-smell-the-roses- on your way.

Hope that you have enjoyed this blog. If you can relate to the content of this article and would like to ask for more help on how to achieve keeping your New Year’s resolutions, leave a comment below or contact us at DearDr.com. We would love to hear from you and hear how you are doing with achieving success so far with the resolutions you’ve set so far. Together we can do great things, have fun with it, and end the day with greater hope and joy prepared to do even greater things for the future.