Burping is one of two ways the body gets rid of gas. Gas builds up in the body from swallowed air and the breakdown of undigested food by bacteria in the large intestine. When some of that food includes fish oil, you can get an annoying fishy burp. It might not be pleasant and can be socially uncomfortable, but it's not dangerous and there are ways to minimize the problem.
Gas
Most people produce 1 to 14 pints of gas a day and expel it through belching or flatulence about 10 to 20 times a day. You're more likely to swallow air if you eat quickly, gulp food and beverages, chew gum, drink with a straw or feel nervous. Products containing certain food sugars tend to produce more gas in people because they can be harder to digest, such as baked beans and milk. Fats and oils can present problems, too, and you might be more aware of the gas fish oil causes because of the distinctive taste and odor. However, foods that cause problems for some people might not be problems for someone else.
Fish Oil
Nutritionists recommend eating fish on a regular basis because of the health benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils. If you don't like fish or need more fish oil in your diet, you might try to boost your omega-3 fatty acid intake by turning to fish oil supplements, which commonly are taken in capsule form. These supplements often are prescribed for heart attack survivors or those trying to reduce their triglyceride levels to help prevent future heart problems.
Fishy Taste and Burps
If you don't like the fishy taste and belching that can come as your body digests fish oil supplements, there are a few ways to help alleviate the problem. Store capsules in the freezer. If you swallow the capsule while it's still frozen, it slows the breakdown of fish oil in the stomach and can lessen those fishy burps. Try taking the capsule at the beginning of your meal so food traps the oil in the stomach and helps buffer the odor. There are also "odorless" supplements on the market that are coated to let the capsule pass through the stomach to be dissolved in the intestines. Finally, try switching brands of fish oil. Some simply are less fishy and troublesome. Look for products with lipase, an enzyme that helps digest fats.
Warning
If you're experiencing problems with excessive gas, it's time to see a doctor. Your doctor simply might recommend diet and lifestyle changes that can help the problem; however, in some cases, excessive gas can be a sign of an underlying medical problem. And don't overdo it with the fish oil. Very large doses can cause problems such as diarrhea and vitamin E deficiency. Omega-3 fatty acids also might increase the risk of bleeding.
References
- Arthritis Today: Forsake the Aftertaste of Fish Oil Supplements
- Kitchen Table Medicine: How to Stop Burping Up Fish Oil
- MayoClinic.org: Taking Fish Oil Supplements --- Without Fishy Burps
- Medline Plus: Gas
- American College of Gastroenterology: Belching, Bloating and Flatulence
- MayoClinic.com: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fish Oil, Alpha-Linolenic Acid
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