The answer to this question is a clear and loud NO
Research has conclusively proven that humans do not need fish oils. Fish oils consist of DHA and EPA, these fats belong to the linolenic family group, known as omega 3.
Fish get their EPA and DHA from plants and algae, these plants contain DHA, EPA in different quantities. Apart from the EPA, and DHA, there is one more fat that has a major quantity of plants on land and in the sea, this fat is ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Because ALA is almost not present in fish, and you can make DHA and EPA from ALA, you don’t need fish oils.
Alpha-Linolenic Acid
Below is the picture, you can see ALA, ALA has 18 carbons and 3 double bonds. ALA is the precursor for EPA and DHA. Via the different enzymes (desaturase and elongase enzymes) ALA can be formed into EPA and DHA
Do You Need ALA?
There is a debate whether you need any of the essential fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6). The studies from the 1930s that “confirmed” the essentiality of the omega’s, didn’t know any of the other vitamins and minerals. One study from more than 100 years ago found that more than 6 months without any fats showed no adverse reactions. At that time the yet-to-be-discovered mineral was zinc. More recent studies show that a zinc deficiency and an omega 3 and omega 6 deficiency have almost the same similarities.
“The deficiency symptoms of Zn and EFA, which include growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, infertility, dermal lesions, alopecia and decreased rate of wound healing, show remarkable similarities”[1]
[1] GHENT UNIVERSITY Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. ZINC AND ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID STATUS AND SUPPLEMENTATION IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS. Stephanie Van Biervliet. Pediatrician