Herring Roe Oil
Also known as: Herring Roe Oil, HRO, herring egg oil
Overview
Herring Roe Oil (HRO) is a marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid supplement extracted from the eggs of the Atlantic herring (*Clupea harengus*). It is notable for containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) primarily in phospholipid form, which may offer enhanced bioavailability compared to the triglyceride-bound omega-3s found in traditional fish oils. HRO is primarily investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties and its potential in managing conditions such as psoriasis, as well as improving plasma lipid profiles and glycemic control. While clinical research, including randomized controlled trials, shows promise, it is still considered an emerging supplement with moderate evidence quality, and more large-scale studies are needed to solidify its place in clinical guidelines.
Benefits
Herring Roe Oil (HRO) has demonstrated several evidence-based benefits, particularly in specific populations. For psoriasis treatment, HRO has shown a statistically significant reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores. A 26-week randomized controlled trial reported a mean PASI score reduction of approximately 1.1 points compared to placebo, with further improvement to about 3.4 points observed in a 65-week extension study, indicating sustained clinical benefit for mild to moderate psoriasis. For metabolic health, a 14-day pilot study in healthy young adults showed that 2.4 g EPA+DHA/day from HRO significantly decreased fasting plasma triacylglycerol and non-esterified fatty acids, increased HDL cholesterol, and improved glucose tolerance. While some modulation of inflammatory cytokines was observed, these changes were often modest and not always statistically significant. The benefits are most evident in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis and in healthy young adults for metabolic parameters. The clinical significance for psoriasis is mild to moderate improvement, while metabolic improvements were statistically significant but from a small, short-term study. Psoriasis improvements typically appear from 12 weeks onward, while metabolic effects were noted within 14 days.
How it works
Herring Roe Oil's primary mechanism of action is attributed to its omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which are predominantly bound in phospholipid form. This phospholipid structure is believed to enhance their incorporation into cell membranes, particularly red blood cell membranes, leading to systemic bioavailability. Once incorporated, EPA and DHA can modulate inflammatory pathways by altering eicosanoid production, shifting the balance from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory mediators. They also influence cytokine levels, such as CCL2, CCL5, and IFN-γ receptor 1, which are involved in immune responses. HRO interacts with the body's lipid metabolism by reducing triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol, and with glucose metabolism by improving glucose tolerance. These actions collectively contribute to its observed anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits.
Side effects
Herring Roe Oil is generally well tolerated and has a good safety profile based on clinical trials. The most commonly reported side effects, occurring in a small number of patients, are mild gastrointestinal symptoms, such as mild gastritis. Uncommon adverse events (1-5% frequency) have not been significantly reported in studies. Rare side effects (less than 1% frequency) or serious adverse reactions have not been documented in clinical research to date. While no specific drug interactions have been formally documented for HRO, caution is advised when co-administering with anticoagulants due to the general anti-platelet effects associated with omega-3 fatty acids. Contraindications are not well defined for HRO specifically, but standard contraindications for omega-3 supplementation, such as known hypersensitivity, should be considered. Safety in special populations, including pregnant women, children, or individuals with severe underlying diseases, has not been established, as studies have primarily focused on adult populations.
Dosage
Clinical studies investigating Herring Roe Oil have primarily utilized dosages providing approximately 2.4 grams of EPA+DHA daily, delivered in phospholipid form. This dosage range has demonstrated efficacy in observed clinical trials for both psoriasis management and metabolic improvements. There is no clearly established maximum safe dose, but the doses used in studies have been well tolerated. For optimal benefits, continuous supplementation over several weeks to months is recommended, as improvements in conditions like psoriasis are observed from 12 weeks onward and sustained with longer use. The phospholipid form of omega-3s in HRO is believed to enhance absorption and bioavailability compared to triglyceride-bound omega-3s found in traditional fish oil, with some single-dose studies showing higher initial plasma EPA/DHA incorporation. However, differences in plasma levels may diminish after two weeks of continuous use. No specific cofactors are identified as required for HRO absorption or efficacy, and standard dietary considerations apply.
FAQs
Is herring roe oil more effective than fish oil?
Single-dose studies suggest higher initial plasma EPA/DHA incorporation from herring roe oil due to its phospholipid form, but after two weeks of continuous use, differences in plasma levels compared to fish oil may not be significant.
How long before benefits appear?
Improvements in psoriasis are typically noted after 12 weeks of consistent supplementation, with sustained effects observed up to 65 weeks. Metabolic benefits, such as improved lipid profiles, can be seen within 14 days.
Is it safe for long-term use?
Clinical studies, including extension studies up to 65 weeks, have reported good safety and tolerability for long-term use of herring roe oil, with no serious adverse events noted.
Can it replace standard psoriasis treatments?
Evidence suggests herring roe oil may be a safe and beneficial adjunct therapy for mild to moderate psoriasis, but it is not intended as a replacement for established, standard medical treatments.
Research Sources
- https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/html/10.2340/00015555-3507 – This double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT involving 64 mild-to-moderate psoriasis patients over 26 weeks found that Herring Roe Oil (HRO) significantly reduced PASI scores by a mean of 1.1 points compared to placebo. The study concluded that HRO is a safe and well-tolerated oral supplement for psoriasis, demonstrating clinical efficacy.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10515196/ – This systematic review and extension study, including 57 patients from a previous RCT, observed sustained PASI score reductions of approximately 3.4 points over a total of 65 weeks with Herring Roe Oil supplementation. While some cytokine modulation was noted, the changes were not always statistically significant, indicating a need for further research on specific inflammatory markers.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4038089/ – A 14-day pilot RCT with 16 healthy young adults demonstrated that 2.4 g/day of EPA+DHA from herring roe phospholipids significantly improved lipid profiles (decreased triacylglycerol, increased HDL cholesterol) and enhanced glucose tolerance. This small-scale study suggests promising metabolic benefits, warranting larger investigations.
- https://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/article/10.11648/j.ijcems.20210701.13 – This open-label extension study, following an initial RCT, involved 58 psoriasis patients and continued for 39 weeks (65 weeks total). It reported continued improvement in PASI scores and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), with no serious adverse events, supporting the long-term safety and sustained efficacy of Herring Roe Oil in psoriasis management.
- https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2016/05/11/Study-supports-bioavailability-and-tolerability-of-herring-roe-oil-as-an-omega-3-source/ – This randomized crossover trial in 32 healthy adults compared the bioavailability of Herring Roe Oil to fish oil. It found that HRO led to higher plasma EPA/DHA levels after a single dose, suggesting enhanced initial absorption due to its phospholipid form. However, after two weeks of continuous supplementation, the differences in plasma levels between HRO and fish oil were no longer significant.
