Fish oil is touted as a heart-healthy supplement. According to a 2010 survey conducted by Consumerlab.com, more people take omega-3 or fish oil supplements than multivitamins. Fish oil contains the two omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Medlineplus states the supplement is generally safe for most adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women. Still, there are some people who may suffer from adverse side effects when consuming fish oil. Always discuss the pros and cons of taking any supplement with your medical professional.
Benefits
Fish oil has a variety of heart-healthy benefits. The omega-3 fatty acids control and regulate your heart beat and decrease the occurrence of arrhythmias. The supplement decreases the amount of triglycerides circulating in your blood. Triglycerides are a fatty substance in the blood which lead to high cholesterol. Fish oil most likely prevents heart disease and heart attacks, reports MedlinePlus. There may be additional positive uses for fish oil including treating depression, ADHD, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. However, more research is needed.
Side Effects
The most common negative side effect of taking fish oil is the fish-like odor associated with burping and belching. Fish-like breath is socially embarrassing and unpleasant. Avoid this negative side effect by freezing the capsules for more of a time-release effect in your body. Fish oil is also considered a blood thinner. You may experience your skin easily bruising or suffer from increased nosebleeds. A more serious reaction to fish oil is experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke. This occurs only if you take high doses of fish oil. The most common dose of fish oil is 3 g per day, while some patients may be advised to take 4 g, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Red Flags
Recent studies have raised concerns for some patients who take fish oil. According to Harvard Medical School, patients who suffer from regular, severe chest pains may not be the best candidates to take the supplement. If you suffer from rigorous heart disease or often suffer from severe irregular heart rhythms, the medical school states fish oil or even eating fish regularly should be avoided. In several studies, people who suffered from these conditions and consumed regular doses of fish oil actually made the condition worse, reports the medical school.
Mercury
Always read the bottle to discover what type of fish was used to create the supplement. Some types of fish have higher amounts of mercury than others. Most brands of fish oil are specifically formulated to remove all mercury. Instead of taking a fish oil supplement, choose a vegan omega-3 supplement. These supplements contain both EPA and DHA, but the fatty acids are directly extracted from algae. Fish receive omega-3 fatty acids by consuming algae directly.
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