Can You Overdose On Fish Oil Tablets?

Nausea. Stomach cramps. Fishy breath. Diarrhea. These are some of the symptoms you can expect from taking too many fish oil pills. The effects of an overdose will vary depending on how much was taken and whether it was taken with other substances.
The FDA recommends a daily intake of fish oils to fulfill the omega 3 needs of our body. But what dosage constitutes too much?

Recommended Adult Dose

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends at least 500 mg of fish oil supplements per day for those with no known cardio vascular issues, and 800 to 1,000 mg per day for those with known pre existing heart disease problems.
The AHA goes on to instruct that proper fish oil dosage depends on the omega-3 concentration of the tablets. If half of the oils are omega-3s, it suggests 1,000 mg per day for adults. If you have never taken fish oil, start out with the lower dose and see how it affects you.

Recommended Children Dose

Fish oil supplements should not be taken by children without a doctor's advice. Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of fish oil by children.
Research by Rod Taylor at the University of Birmingham shows that fatty acids can help improve the coordination of your children's hands and eyes, which are very essential in learning. Taylor writes in "Effects of Fish Oil on the Behavioral, Cogitative and Educational Outcomes of Normal School Children: A Systematic Review," that fish oils can also reduce the risk of developing short-term memory as well as hyperactivity. The omega-3 fatty acids are known to enhance concentration among ADHD children.

Overdose Symptoms

According to an article by Thomson Gale in 2007 issue of Focus on Healthy Aging, the main effects from an overdose of fish oil include a fishy odor on the breath, an upset stomach, gastrointestinal disturbances. The oils can have a laxative effect in some people, resulting in loose, greasy stools.
An overdose could also increase the risk of bleeding, including dangerous internal bleeding (such as gastrointestinal bleeding or bleeding in the brain). Overdose symptoms of omega 3 oil are more noticeable in patients suffering from other health conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. An overdose of fish oils has led to insomnia or sleeplessness in certain cases.

Overdose Treatment

Seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you may have overdosed on fish oil. A physician will be able to prescribe a method to alleviate the symptoms and to determine if other factors are involved.
The best remedy for symptoms of nausea or stomach ailment is to stop taking fish oil.

Misconceptions

According to findings by Harvard Medical School, taking fish oil --- even large amounts --- will not expose your body to excessive mercury levels and other environmental contaminants from the ocean.
In recommended doses, fish oil does not cause insomnia. Instead, fish oil has been shown to promote better sleep patterns.
A recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association now says that taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy will not prevent post-partum depression.