The use of fish oil capsules is becoming increasingly popular because of the long list of health benefits they supposedly offer. Although there are no official recommendations for their use by the medical community, the Food and Drug Administration deems their intake "generally recognized as safe." However, there are side effects and interactions that have been reported, and doctor supervision is recommended.
Gastrointestinal Upset
Common complaints associated with fish oil supplements are indigestion, bloating, heartburn, fishy aftertaste, increased burping and diarrhea. These gastrointestinal side effects are generally mild, however. According to MayoClinic.com, in high doses, the side effect of diarrhea can be severe. If you take the fish oil capsules with meals and in gradually increased doses, you could curb these side effects.
Allergy
In a small number of cases, reports of skin allergies have been reported with fish oil supplement use. Sometimes these allergies can derive from a food allergy. If you are allergic to fish, you should not take fish oil supplements. Those with nut allergies should also take caution. This is because omega-3 fatty acids, the key health component of fish oil, breaks down into alpha-linolenic acid, which is found naturally in some nuts, like walnuts.
Blood Sugar Changes
Long-term studies show that fish oil supplements have no adverse effects on diabetes and blood sugar control, but reports of a sugar level increase in Type 2 diabetics have been noted, according to MayoClinic.com. For this reason, you should be cautious and talk to your doctor, especially if you are diabetic. Reported positive effects on blood pressure and heart health may outweigh the minor reports of blood sugar risks in these cases.
Drug Interactions
High blood pressure medications and blood thinners may interact with fish oil supplements. There is a small amount of evidence showing an increased risk of bleeding with omega-3 fatty acids, the key component in fish oil. The mechanism behind this is that fish oil may affect blood platelet clotting, leading to increased bleeding. However, in low doses, this side effect doesn't seem to pose a threat. In general, very high doses of fish oil capsules may exacerbate this bleeding side effect, and you could experience problems with nosebleeds and blood in the urine.
Mercury Poisoning
The risks of mercury poisoning in cold-water fish is a rising issue. Although the chances of mercury-infected fish oil capsules are very small, you should exercise caution since these capsules are derived from fish. This is especially true for pregnant and nursing women, as well as children taking supplements.
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