Taking fish oil supplements with EPA and DHA every day for six months might change your cholesterol levels about the same as taking a low dose of a common heart medication called atorvastatin—but it doesn’t do a better job at protecting your heart.

We analyzed one assertion about whether omega-3 supplements lower cholesterol as much as atorvastatin, and the evidence we’ve reviewed does not support that claim. The assertion suggested that daily fish oil with EPA and DHA for six months might change cholesterol levels similarly to a low dose of atorvastatin, but it also noted this doesn’t offer better heart protection [1]. However, we found no studies that back this comparison, and 50 studies or assertions directly contradict it. Our current analysis shows that while omega-3 supplements can influence certain blood fats like triglycerides, they do not appear to reduce LDL cholesterol—the type most linked to heart risk—in the same way or to the same degree as atorvastatin. Atorvastatin works by blocking a liver enzyme that makes cholesterol, while omega-3s mainly affect other lipid pathways. The evidence we’ve reviewed suggests that expecting omega-3 supplements to match the cholesterol-lowering effect of atorvastatin is not supported. We also note that heart protection involves more than just cholesterol numbers—it includes inflammation, blood pressure, plaque stability, and other factors. Even if cholesterol levels changed slightly with omega-3s, the available evidence does not show this leads to similar heart outcomes as atorvastatin. What we’ve found so far leans strongly against the idea that omega-3 supplements are a comparable alternative to atorvastatin for lowering cholesterol. If you’re taking atorvastatin for cholesterol management, switching to omega-3s alone is not backed by the evidence we’ve reviewed. Always talk with your doctor before making changes to your treatment plan.