Fish oil is a dietary supplement that contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as its main ingredient, notes Drugs.com. These supplements are often made from mackerel, salmon, whale or seal blubber and or cod liver. Aside from omega-3 acids, fish oil supplements may contain vitamins A, B, C and E, iron and calcium. Supplements are typically added to a diet to improve health and prevent disease, however, fish oil also has cons associated with its intake.
Decrease Triglyceride Levels
If you suffer from high levels of triglycerides in your blood, then you should consider supplementing your diet with fish oil. One of the pros of taking fish oil is its ability to reduce your blood triglyceride levels, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Reducing triglyceride levels helps reduce your risk of heart disease. MedlinePlus reported researchers have found fish oil supplements reduce triglyceride levels by 20 percent to 50 percent.
Reduce High Blood Pressure
Evidence has shown that fish oil supplements are able to reduce your blood pressure, reports MayoClinic.com. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. The reduction of blood pressure only occurs when you take large doses of fish oil. Therefore, you must consult your physician before adding excess amounts of the supplement to your diet.
Pain Relief in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Fish oil by alone, or as an addition to pain medication, can help reduce pain if you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or similar diseases, according to MedlinePlus. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation in the affected arthritic joints. The pain will not totally disappear, but will be significantly lessened. If you are taking fish oil supplements, you may be able to reduce the pain medication you take for your arthritis.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Fish oil supplements commonly cause irritation to your gastrointestinal tract, according to MayoClinic.com. You may experience stomach pain, nausea or diarrhea once you begin taking these supplements. Frequent burping, heartburn and fishy aftertaste are often common signs of gastrointestinal distress caused by fish oil.
Allergy
A con of taking fish oil is that you may develop an allergy to one or more of the ingredients in the supplement, notes Drugs.com. Allergies occur when the ingredients cause an incidental stimulation to your immune system. Symptoms of an allergic response to fish oil include swelling of the face, mouth and throat, and difficulty breathing. The allergy can be mild or severe. If you experience an allergic reaction to fish oil you should ask your doctor if you should continue taking the supplement.
Increased Risk of Bleeding
You may be at an increased risk for excessive bleeding if you take fish oil supplements, reports MayoClinic.com. This rarely occurs if you take small doses of fish oil. You should only consume around 3 g of omega-3 fatty acids per day. Larger doses will increase your risk of bleeding. You may experience frequent nosebleeds and see blood in your urine.
Member Comments