Lake herring is also a good source of omega-3 oils. Addis discovered this through Sea Grant-funded research a decade ago. Before that, it was assumed that only saltwater fish were high in omega-3's. One type of oil found in siscowets is thought to be healthy for your heart. They prevent blood clots by reducing the activity of the blood platelets.
Platelets are the clotting factors in blood that are the number one trigger of heart attacks.
To achieve maximum benefits from fish oil, people would need to eat more than 1 pound per day of a fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, or lake trout. Eating this much fish is unrealistic for some people. Fish oil capsules offer another source. Fish oil capsules are big business. The oil used in the capsules is routinely processed to remove some of the rancid compounds and contaminants like PCBs.