Over the last several years, fish oil (Omega 3 fatty acid) supplementation has gotten a wonderful reputation for its benefits. To name a few of the established benefits, fish oil supplements improve cognitive function, decrease inflammation, reduce the risk of certain cancers, and protect against heart disease.

Well, now a new study has added to the ever growing list of benefits. According to the study authors, this study shows that combining aerobic exercise with fish oil supplementation leads to weight loss and improvements in cholesterol levels; specifically, an increase in HDL levels and a decrease in triglycerides.

For the study, participants were divided into groups. Some groups received the fish oil supplement and some did not. Some exercised and some did not. Some did both. Interestingly, while the study participants who received only the fish oil supplement (but no exercise) did benefit from improvements in cholesterol levels, they did not benefit from weight loss. Also, study participants who exercised but did not receive the fish oil supplement, saw only minimal changes in cholesterol levels and no notable changes in weight. It took both, fish oil supplementation AND aerobic exercise to reap the benefits of weight loss and improved cholesterol levels.