Fish oil dietary supplements contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA and other oils. According to Drugs.com, clinical benefit is strongest for lowering the risk of coronary artery disease, decreasing serum triglycerides and improving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, manufacturing problems and contamination of dietary supplement products have occurred. If you take fish oil supplements, consult a doctor for safety and ensure purity and quality assurance is guaranteed on the product label.
Dietary Supplement Safety
Unlike prescription drugs that must be proven safe and effective for their intended use before marketing, there are no legal provisions that allow the US Food and Drug Administration access to dietary supplements for safety inspection or effectiveness before they reach the consumer. However, the FDA has found manufacturing problems associated with dietary supplements -- after mass distributions. Products have been recalled because of microbiological, insecticidal and heavy-metal contamination and because they do not contain the dietary ingredients they are represented to contain or they contain more or less than the amount of the dietary ingredient claimed on the label(See References 2).
Fish Oil From Food
The American Heart Association advises that increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption through food is preferable to supplementation, and to consume 3.5 oz. of fatty fish at least twice a week. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids include herring, salmon, sardines and lake trout. However, the FDA advises children and pregnant women to avoid eating fish with the potential for the highest level of mercury contamination due to risk for harm, and are advised to avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish for this reason. Instead, eat up to 12 oz. per week of fish lower in mercury such as salmon, pollock, catfish and a variety of other fish and shellfish.
Interactions with Medications
Consumption of too much fish oil can increase the risk of excessive bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke and dangerous bleeding problems may result if fish oil supplements are combined with certain drugs. Patients taking warfarin should not take fish oil pills because it may increase the anticoagulant effect of the drug. Consumption of fish oil pills with drugs such as aspirin, heparin, anti-platelet drugs, ibuprofen or naproxen also increases bleeding risk. Using fish oil with drugs to lower blood pressure can increase the effect of the drugs and cause dangerously low blood pressure. Consult a physician before taking fish oil supplements if you have a medical condition or take medications.
Dietary Supplement Quality
The United States Pharmacopeia, or USP, a non-governmental authority, sets strict standards for dietary supplements and prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Purity, quality, strength and consistency standards are set by the USP to ensure public health. Dietary supplement manufacturers voluntarily register their products with USP to verify the quality, purity and potency of their dietary supplement products. Verification is not required by law and USP services are fee-based. Products and ingredients that pass strict USP verification requirements receive the USP mark on the label. If you take dietary supplements, look for the USP-verified mark on product labels.
References
- Drugs.com: Fish Oils; 2009; Wolters Kluwer; Updated Apr 4, 2011
- FDA.gov: Backgrounder: Final Rule for Current Good Manufacturing Practices for Dietary Supplements
- FDA.gov: Overview of Dietary Supplements
- American Heart Association: Fish 101; May 2010
- Wellness.com; Omega-3 Fatty acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid; 2006-2011
- Medline Plus; Fish Oil; Reviewed November 2010
Member Comments