Although fish oil may seem like an easy way to improve your heart health, there are side effects associated with its use These appear to be dose-dependent, meaning that the higher dose you take, the more likely you will be to experience side effects. The most common side effects include:.
Taking high doses of omega-3 fats, including those found in fish oil supplements, may interact with certain medications. This especially holds true if you take anti-platelet drugs like Plavix clopidogrel or anticoagulants like Coumadin warfarin. Taking these drugs with high-dose omega-3 supplements can increase the risk of bleeding or easy bruising. Additionally, high doses of omega-3s found in fish oil may slightly increase your blood sugar levels.
In most cases, the effect won't interfere with diabetes medication or increase your risk of diabetes. Still, if you are struggling to manage your blood sugar, fish oil may not be the best option for you. You should avoid taking fish oil supplements at least a week before scheduled surgery including dental surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. To avoid interaction, always advise your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking, whether they are prescription, over-the-counter, dietary, herbal, or recreational.
People with heart disease are often advised to take 1 gram 1, milligrams of a combination of DHA and EPA from fish oil each day. Doses of omega-3 fatty acids greater than 3 grams 3, milligrams may increase your risk of bleeding, even if you are not taking blood-thinning medications.
There is also concern that the high intake of omega-3 fatty acids could slow blood clotting to such a degree as to increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
People at risk of stroke should only use fish oil under the supervision of a cardiologist. Because fish oil contains high amounts of vitamin A, it is possible to develop vitamin A toxicity by taking too much. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, joint pain, and skin irritation.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Office of Dietary Supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids: fact sheet for health professionals.
Updated July 9. American Heart Association. Research suggests that fish oil may offer the following benefits. Fish oil has been found to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis RA symptoms by reducing morning stiffness, joint tenderness, and the number of swollen joints and regulating the immune response.
Fish oil can also help manage cardiovascular risk factors, which is important since people with RA are at an increased risk of a heart attack. According to the Arthritis Foundation, fish oil can also be used for:. If you are taking fish oil because you have high triglycerides, a type of fat associated with increased risk of heart disease, your doctor may prescribe a prescription fish oil like Lovaza for you.
Prescription fish oil capsules contain highly purified fish oil with a greater concentration of omega-3 fatty acids than most over-the-counter fish oil capsules. Research has shown that fish oil, which is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA , may be useful in the treatment of depression. Epidemiological studies suggest that either a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids or an imbalance in the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids may be linked to increased rates of depression.
Further, a handful of small, well-designed studies support the use of fish oil as an addition to antidepressant therapy. Although more research is needed to determine effectiveness, fish oil has also been studied in the treatment of the following psychiatric disorders:.
The side effects of fish oil most often occur when people take the supplement in high doses more than 3 grams per day. In other words, the more you take, the more you're likely to experience side effects, which is why it's important to consult with your healthcare provider prior to taking a fish oil supplement. The most common side effects include:. High doses of omega-3 fats, found in fish oil supplements, can slow blood clotting and increase your risk of bleeding or bruising if you already taking an anticoagulant "blood thinner" like Coumadin warfarin or Plavix clopidogrel.
It can also reduce the body's immune system, or ability to fend off infection. Fish oil should be taken in whole-from capsules, with food and water, and not broken and sprinkled into food or liquids. The Food and Drug Administration recommends consuming no more than 3 grams 3,mg per day of EPA and DHA combined, including up to 2 grams 2,mg per day from dietary supplements.
Higher doses are often used to lower triglycerides, but you should only do so under the guidance of your healthcare professional.
High doses of fish oil can cause bleeding problems, especially if you are taking Coumadin warfarin or other anticoagulant medications, as well as problems with immune function. Although fish oil is readily available at health foods and pharmacies, it is important to speak to your doctor before starting to take them. When purchasing a fish oil supplement, the best way to tell if a product is reputable is to read the label.
Avoid any products that claim to "cure depression" or "reduce the risk of heart disease. According to the Food and Drug Administration FDA , it's illegal "to market a dietary supplement product as a treatment or cure for a specific disease, or to alleviate the symptoms of a disease.
Look closely for added ingredients like fillers, binders, and flavorings. The fish oil supplement should also contain a seal of approval from a third-party testing organization to demonstrate purity levels, notes the NIH. The big three include U. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.
While this seal of approval does not guarantee that the fish oil is safe or that it will work, it does guarantee that there aren't harmful levels of contaminants and that the product contains the ingredients listed on the label. Another way to tell high-quality fish oil is by its smell and taste.
Fish oil should not smell or taste "fishy. A strong smell may also be a sign that artificial flavors were added to the product. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Fish oil. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
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Accessed Nov. Omega-3 supplements: In depth. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Omega-3 fatty acids natural products database. Tangney CC, et al. Lipid management with diet or dietary supplements. Bonow RO, et al. Integrative approaches to the management of patients with heart disease. Elsevier;
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