Fish oil dietary supplements present many well being advantages, boosting the mind, bettering coronary heart well being, lowering irritation, and extra. Nevertheless, as is the case with any medicine or complement you are contemplating taking, it is necessary to weigh the entire dangers and advantages with the assistance of your physician earlier than starting a brand new routine.
“There isn’t any doubt that fish oil supplies omega-3 fatty acids, which supply necessary well being advantages—however like all complement, fish oil does include some potential dangers,” says Farhan Malik, MD, a double board-certified physician in household medication and sports activities medication, and the proprietor and senior medical director at Prometheus by Dr. Malik.
He notes that issues are almost definitely to happen whenever you take too excessive of a dose. “Extra will not be at all times higher in the case of dietary supplements,” Malik tells Greatest Life. “All the time be cautious about dosage and freshness when taking fish oil. Moderation and listening to high quality is essential.”
Questioning what hidden risks could also be lurking behind fish oil’s stellar status? Learn on to study the seven unintended effects it is best to contemplate earlier than you begin taking the complement.
RELATED: 5 Aspect Results of Taking Too A lot Magnesium.
” src=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/01/woman-with-doctor.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all” alt=”A lady getting her blood strain taken by a physician” width=”1200″ peak=”800″ srcset=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/01/woman-with-doctor.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all 1200w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/01/woman-with-doctor.jpg?resize=500,333&high quality=82&strip=all 500w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/01/woman-with-doctor.jpg?resize=768,512&high quality=82&strip=all 768w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/01/woman-with-doctor.jpg?resize=1024,683&high quality=82&strip=all 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px” />iStock
Fish oil dietary supplements have been proven to cut back platelet aggregation in people with out circulatory issues, and up to date research have investigated whether or not they need to be stopped previous to surgical procedure because of elevated bleeding threat, says Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM, a double board-certified doctor specializing in household medication and weight problems medication. Nevertheless, she says proof signifies there is no such thing as a elevated bleeding threat and no indication to cease fish oil dietary supplements earlier than surgical procedure.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
That stated, Malik stories having seen clotting points in his personal follow and notes that the important thing to avoiding them is to stay to the really helpful dosage on the complement label.
“Extreme quantities of fish oil can truly result in bleeding issues,” he says. “I’ve seen sufferers expertise nosebleeds or bruising extra simply from taking very excessive doses of fish oil for lengthy durations.”
” src=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/05/Younger-woman-experiencing-stomach-pain.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all” alt=”Girl sitting on a settee holding her stomach in ache” width=”1200″ peak=”800″ srcset=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/05/Younger-woman-experiencing-stomach-pain.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all 1200w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/05/Younger-woman-experiencing-stomach-pain.jpg?resize=500,333&high quality=82&strip=all 500w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/05/Younger-woman-experiencing-stomach-pain.jpg?resize=768,512&high quality=82&strip=all 768w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/05/Younger-woman-experiencing-stomach-pain.jpg?resize=1024,683&high quality=82&strip=all 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px” />Shutterstock
You probably have a delicate gastrointestinal system, taking fish oil dietary supplements might trigger GI upset, says Stanford, who can also be a medical contributor for Drugwatch.
“In some individuals, fish oil dietary supplements might trigger nausea, diarrhea, bloating, or belching with a fishy aftertaste,” Stanford tells Greatest Life. “These results are usually gentle, they usually happen much less incessantly when taking a coated fish oil pill or capsule. Taking fish oil dietary supplements with a meal additionally reduces these unintended effects.”
RELATED: 10 Shocking Advantages of Taking Fish Oil Each Day.
” src=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/10/shutterstock_1476150188-1.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all” alt=”physician checking blood sugar ranges” width=”1200″ peak=”801″ srcset=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/10/shutterstock_1476150188-1.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all 1200w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/10/shutterstock_1476150188-1.jpg?resize=500,334&high quality=82&strip=all 500w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/10/shutterstock_1476150188-1.jpg?resize=768,513&high quality=82&strip=all 768w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/10/shutterstock_1476150188-1.jpg?resize=1024,684&high quality=82&strip=all 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px” />Proxima Studio / Shutterstock
Relying in your well being, taking excessive doses of fish oil can have both helpful or hostile results on blood sugar regulation.
“Fish oil supplementation is understood to enhance lipid metabolism in sufferers with dyslipidemia,” says Stanford, referring to a situation during which irregular ranges of lipids enter the bloodstream. “One other benefit of fish oil supplementation is that it could enhance fasting blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, as impaired fasting glucose and insulin resistance generally happen with dyslipidemia.”
Nevertheless, whereas this enchancment in glycemic management is advantageous for many individuals, it could change the consequences of glucose-lowering drugs. “This makes it mandatory to observe blood glucose carefully for hypoglycemia and to regulate medicine doses accordingly,” Stanford notes.
” src=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/01/adhd-medication-shortages-ritalin-concerta-news.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all” alt=”A person is sitting and holding head in his fingers whereas pondering and looking out on the tablet bottles” width=”1200″ peak=”800″ srcset=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/01/adhd-medication-shortages-ritalin-concerta-news.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all 1200w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/01/adhd-medication-shortages-ritalin-concerta-news.jpg?resize=500,333&high quality=82&strip=all 500w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/01/adhd-medication-shortages-ritalin-concerta-news.jpg?resize=768,512&high quality=82&strip=all 768w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/01/adhd-medication-shortages-ritalin-concerta-news.jpg?resize=1024,683&high quality=82&strip=all 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px” />iStock
One other hidden hazard related to taking fish oil dietary supplements is that, like most different dietary supplements, they will work together with sure drugs.
“As a result of fish oil supplementation has been proven to cut back blood clotting, it will probably work together with blood thinning and antiplatelet drugs. With drugs like aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and different anticoagulant drugs, including fish oil supplementation can enhance the blood-thinning impact and elevate the chance of hostile bleeding,” cautions Stanford.
RELATED: 5 Dietary supplements That Can Harm Your Kidneys, Medical doctors Say.
” src=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/02/heart-checkup-doctor.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all” alt=”Caring feminine physician use phonendoscope look at senior affected person coronary heart price at session in hospital. Girl nurse or GP use stethoscope hearken to lady’s heartbeat in clinic.” width=”1200″ peak=”800″ srcset=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/02/heart-checkup-doctor.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all 1200w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/02/heart-checkup-doctor.jpg?resize=500,333&high quality=82&strip=all 500w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/02/heart-checkup-doctor.jpg?resize=768,512&high quality=82&strip=all 768w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2024/02/heart-checkup-doctor.jpg?resize=1024,683&high quality=82&strip=all 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px” />iStock
There’s additionally contradictory analysis on the dangers and advantages of fish oil dietary supplements as they relate to atrial fibrillation and stroke threat.
“Many research counsel that taking fish oil dietary supplements might enhance the chance that wholesome people develop atrial fibrillation after which subsequent stroke,” says Stanford. “Nevertheless, in individuals with heart problems and predispositions to dysrhythmias (like atrial fibrillation), taking fish oil dietary supplements seems to decrease the chance of creating atrial fibrillation and subsequent stroke.”
” src=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/12/vitamin-d-supplements.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all” alt=”Fish oil capsules with omega 3 and vitamin D in a glass bottle on wood texture, nutritious diet idea,shut up shot.” width=”1200″ peak=”800″ srcset=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/12/vitamin-d-supplements.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all 1200w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/12/vitamin-d-supplements.jpg?resize=500,333&high quality=82&strip=all 500w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/12/vitamin-d-supplements.jpg?resize=768,512&high quality=82&strip=all 768w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2023/12/vitamin-d-supplements.jpg?resize=1024,683&high quality=82&strip=all 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px” />iStock
Malik notes that fish oil capsules can go rancid over time, particularly if they don’t seem to be saved correctly.
“Rancid fish oil loses its well being advantages and will even comprise compounds which are dangerous. I counsel my sufferers to retailer fish oil dietary supplements within the fridge and pay attention to expiration dates to keep away from taking rancid drugs. Smelling fish oil capsules earlier than swallowing them can also be a great way to verify for freshness,” he tells Greatest Life.
The physician additionally cautions that fish oil dietary supplements will be extremely susceptible to oxidation, which may negate their advantages and even produce dangerous byproducts.
“Many fish oil dietary supplements find yourself oxidized earlier than you even devour them. Oxidized oils are linked to elevated oxidative stress and irritation. Because of this, I solely advocate pharmaceutical-grade fish oil manufacturers that use correct processing and encapsulation strategies to stop oxidation,” he says.
RELATED: 12 Dietary supplements You Ought to By no means Take Collectively, Medical Specialists Say.
” src=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2020/01/woman-taking-supplements-pill.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all” alt=”Girl taking a tablet or a complement” width=”1200″ peak=”800″ srcset=”https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2020/01/woman-taking-supplements-pill.jpg?high quality=82&strip=all 1200w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2020/01/woman-taking-supplements-pill.jpg?resize=500,333&high quality=82&strip=all 500w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2020/01/woman-taking-supplements-pill.jpg?resize=768,512&high quality=82&strip=all 768w, https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/websites/3/2020/01/woman-taking-supplements-pill.jpg?resize=1024,683&high quality=82&strip=all 1024w” sizes=”(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px” />shurkin_son / Shutterstock
Lastly, many individuals take fish oil dietary supplements somewhat than consuming fish in an effort to keep away from consuming excessive ranges of mercury, in addition to different toxins or contaminants. Nevertheless, Malik notes that latest analysis suggests there’s nonetheless a threat of contamination whenever you take fish oil in complement type.
“Fish can accumulate heavy metals like mercury and different toxins from polluted waters. If the oil will not be purified and decontaminated correctly, these contaminants will be concentrated in dietary supplements. Consuming contaminated fish oil over lengthy durations might have neurological and developmental results. I counsel selecting respected manufacturers that comply with rigorous high quality management measures,” Malik says.
We provide probably the most up-to-date data from high specialists, new analysis, and well being businesses, however our content material will not be meant to be an alternative to skilled steering. On the subject of the medicine you take or every other well being questions you’ve got, at all times seek the advice of your healthcare supplier immediately.