Fish oil is recommended as a supplement for several common conditions, including high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and skin conditions. Fish oil is also sometimes recommended to prevent stroke. At the same time, those at risk for stroke may be told to avoid fish oil. The reason for this contradictory advice is simple: There are two major categories of stroke with different causes and different risk factors.
Two Kinds of Stroke
A stroke is the common term for a disruption of blood flow to the brain which results in neurological deficits. There are two main categories of stroke: hemorrhagic and ischemic. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing an internal bleed. An ischemic stroke occurs when a vessel providing blood to the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot.
Fish Oil's Effects on the Blood
Fish oil reduces the blood's ability to clot. This is a desirable effect in many conditions, as it increases the flow of blood throughout the body and decreases the risk of heart attacks and ischemic strokes. However, if your body already has trouble forming clots, further reducing this ability can lead to nose bleeds and easy bruising. It also increases the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke.
Fish Oil and Stroke Risk: What Does the Research Say?
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, studies have shown that eating fish once or twice a week lowers the risk of having a stroke by 27 percent. Eating more than 46 g of fish a day or taking more than 6.6 g of fish oil supplements daily may increase stroke risk by almost 200 percent.
Intake Guidelines
A 2006 article in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" stated that 3.5 g of omega-3 fatty acids was a healthy allowance for someone eating 2,000 calories a day. To find out if this number is right for you, talk to your doctor. If you are taking drugs that reduce clotting, such as warfarin or aspirin, or have had bleeding problems in the past, do not take fish oil until you have consulted your physician.
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