Usually, you are able to get all the essential nutrients from your diet. These nutrients ensure that your body functions and develops normally. In certain circumstances, you may need to add dietary supplements to your food intake. Fish oil is an example of such a supplement. Fish oil provides essential fatty acids called omega-3 fatty acids. In certain cases, taking adequate doses of fish oil can improve your overall health.
Fish Oil
Fish oil typically contains two types of omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, MayoClinic.com reports. Both of these omega-3 acids can also be found in fish such as tuna and salmon. Adding fish oil supplements to your diet allow you to get all of the daily recommended omega-3 fatty acids your body needs. However, fish oil capsules should only be taken under the direct supervision of a doctor. Talk to your physician and ask if you need fish oil supplements.
Dosage
Fish oil supplements come in different brands and each brand can have a different percentage of EPA and DHA. The amount of fish oil you should take depends on the composition of the supplement you ingest. MayoClinic.com recommends that you take in only 0.3 to 0.5 g of EPA and DHA combined. This dosage provides your body with sufficient amounts of these omega-3 fatty acids, while limiting the risk of adverse side effects. Your doctor may recommend increasing or decreasing your dose of fish oil depending on your overall nutritional and dietary situation.
Benefits of Fish Oil
Fish oil supplements are often used to improve cardiovascular health. Taking fish oil supplements can lower your triglyceride levels, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. Triglycerides are a type of fat that exists within your bloodstream. High triglyceride levels are linked with heart disease. Fish oil can cause a 20 to 50 percent reduction in blood triglyceride levels. Though not as powerful as other medications, fish oil supplements can be used in patients suffering from only mild elevations in triglyceride levels.
In addition to lowering triglyceride levels, fish oil can directly prevent heart disease and heart attacks. In healthy people, fish oil can aid in keeping your heart free from disease. If you already suffering from heart disease, adding fish oil to your diet can decrease your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Side Effects
Like most substances, you may have an allergic response to fish oil. Seek emergency medical treatment if you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or mouth and hives, as these are all signs of a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking fish oil if you develop flu-like symptoms chest pain or uneven heartbeats, Drugs.com warns. These side effects can lead to serious complications. Milder side effects of fish oil include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, frequent belching, stomach discomfort and back pain.
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