Previous studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish benefit the heart of healthy people and those at high risk of - or who have - cardiovascular disease.

Now an Australian team of scientists has discovered that overweight people can also benefit from fish oils, as long as they do a little exercise, reported the online edition of Daily Mail.

Daily small doses of oil containing Omega-3 fatty acids, combined with moderate exercise like walking for three quarters of an hour, can result in significant weight loss, the researchers have found.

But taking the oils without exercise, or exercising without taking oils, does not result in any weight loss, the team led by Professor Peter Howe at the University of South Australia found.

In simple terms, fish oil increases the elasticity of blood vessel walls and improves the flow of blood to muscles during exercises, they said.