Written from the studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11.. Every number below comes from a study listed under Sources.
The claim
Posts online say that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helps with Parkinson disease.
Where research stands
We found 36 published papers on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and Parkinson disease. They were published between 2007 and 2026. 4 of them are studies in people. 4 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 24 were studies in animals, and 2 were only in cells in the lab. 4 papers are reviews that sum up other studies.
- 4In people4 with a comparison group
- 24In animals
- 2Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) has been tested in randomised trials in people with Parkinson disease.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Neuroaspis PLP10™, a nutritional formula rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids with antioxidant vitamins including gamma-tocopherol in early Parkinson's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.2021 · Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Randomised trial
- The effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation on gene expression related to inflammation, insulin and lipid in patients with Parkinson's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.2019 · Clin Neurol Neurosurg · Randomised trial
- The effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation on clinical and metabolic status in patients with Parkinson's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.2017 · Neurochem Int · Randomised trial
- Depression in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of omega-3 fatty-acid supplementation.2008 · J Affect Disord · Randomised trial
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and Parkinson's disease: A systematic review of animal studies.2024 · J Neurochem · Review
- Potential treatment of Parkinson's disease with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.2022 · Nutr Neurosci · Review
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain: metabolism and neuroprotection.2011 · Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) · Review
- Neuroprotective action of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids against neurodegenerative diseases: evidence from animal studies.2007 · Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids · Review
- Omega-3 supplementation prevents functional and neural respiratory damage present in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.2026 · Neuroscience · In animals
- Additive neurorestorative effects of exercise and docosahexaenoic acid intake in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.2025 · Neural Regen Res · In animals
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids play a protective role in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease by increasing intestinal inducible Treg cells.2024 · Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) · In animals
- Anti-oxidative and anti-neuroinflammatory role of Necrostatin-1s and docosahexaenoic acid in RIP-1-mediated neurotoxicity in MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease model.2023 · Fundam Clin Pharmacol · In animals
- Evaluation of efficiency omega 3 fatty acid improves the behavioural phenotype and protects against oxidative stress against MPP+ induces Parkinson's disease in mice.2021 · Pak J Pharm Sci · In animals
- Docosahexaenoic acid-acylated astaxanthin ester exhibits superior performance over non-esterified astaxanthin in preventing behavioral deficits coupled with apoptosis in MPTP-induced mice with Parkinson's disease.2020 · Food Funct · In animals
- Neuroprotective Effects of the Combination of Green Tea, Saffron, Docosahexaenoic Acid, and α-Lipoic Acid in an In Vitro Model of Parkinson's Disease.2026 · Mol Neurobiol · In the lab
- Polymorphic α-Synuclein Strains Modified by Dopamine and Docosahexaenoic Acid Interact Differentially with Tau Protein.2020 · Mol Neurobiol · In the lab
- Association of Omega-3 and Omega-6 with neurodegenerative disorders: a UK biobank prospective cohort study.2026 · Parkinsonism Relat Disord · Other paper
- Fish oil supplementation, physical activity and risk of incident Parkinson's disease: results of longitudinal analysis from the UK Biobank.2023 · Front Aging Neurosci · Other paper
