The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating fish twice a week because the oil in fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of heart disease and may benefit sufferers of diabetes, lupus, osteoporosis, depression and psychological disorders, skin disorders, vision problems, asthma and some cancers. The best way to get omega-3's is through fish. However, fish oil supplements are also available, but they can be dangerous when taken in large quantities.
Regulation
Fish oil supplements are currently not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil are considered safe, but excess amounts may have health consequences. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) says dietary supplements should only be taken under the supervision of a physician, and omega-3 fish oil supplements should be purchased from reputable companies that guarantee the safety of their products.
Contaminants
Fish oil supplements generally do not contain contaminants, but fresh fish may contain contaminants such as mercury, which is dangerous for pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and children. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the effects of mercury poisoning include impaired neurological development of fetuses and infants; impaired vision, speech and hearing; poor coordination; and muscle weakness. According to the AHA, the fish highest in mercury include shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish.
Adverse Effects
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), large doses of fish oil can increase the risk of bleeding, prolong bleeding time and prevent blood from clotting. Fish oil also lowers blood pressure, which may benefit people with high blood pressure, but is dangerous for individuals with existing low blood pressure. Blood pressure that is too low can lead to fainting, dehydration, dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, difficulty breathing, fatigue and depression. According to the UMMC, fish oil can increase blood sugar, which is unhealthy for diabetics, who are at risk for nerve and kidney damage, vision problems and skin disorders.
Medication Interactions
Fish oil can interact with several prescription medications and influence their effectiveness. According to the NIH, fish oil supplements should not be taken with medications that lower blood pressure or blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, warfarin and plavix. The UMMC says fish oil can interact with diabetic medications such as glipizide, glyburide, metformin and insulin, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs and medications that are administered to patients with high cholesterol or who have had an organ transplant.
Other Effects
The Mayo Clinic warns that people who are allergic or sensitive to fish or shellfish should not take fish oil supplements because of the risk of rashes. Rare side effects of fish oil include decreased liver function and psychological disorders.
Considerations
Fish oil can have adverse side effects, but for most healthy individuals, the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids outweigh the risks of fish oil. The best way to get omega-3's is through diet because fresh fish poses far fewer risks than fish oil supplements. The FDA encourages populations at risk for mercury poisoning to consume fish low in mercury such as salmon, halibut, canned tuna, mahi-mahi, cod and snapper to benefit from omega-3 fatty acids.
References
- American Heart Association: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Environmental Protection Agency: Mercury Health Effects
- Mayo Clinic: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid
- Medline Plus: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
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