The combination of fish oil and aspirin may be beneficial at times, but it is also potentially dangerous. Because of that, never combine fish oil and aspirin unless directed to do so by your physician. Fish oil is filled with omega-3 fatty acids, a type of unsaturated fat that the body needs but cannot produce on its own. Eating a diet filled with omega-3 fatty acids helps protect against chronic disease. Aspirin not only relieves moderate pain, it is also prescribed in low doses to patients at risk of heart attack or stroke. There is no established dosing recommendation for the combination of aspirin and fish oil.
Bowel Cancer
In September 2010, researchers at the University of Leeds in England announced the start of research examining the use of a fish oil and aspirin combination to treat bowel cancer. In the announcement, Dr. Mark Hull, professor of molecular gastroenterology at the University of Leeds, said that the study would involve over 1,000 patients and dozens of hospitals. The research will focus on learning if the combination of fish oil and aspirin can stop precancerous colon polyps from developing. At the time of publication, results of the research had not been published for peer review.
Eicosanoids
Combining fish oil and aspirin may improve hormone levels. Your body uses the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil to produce eicosanoids, hormones that have a part in nearly ever important body function. In the June 2001 issue of "Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids," Dr. Karin Engstrom, a researcher at the University of Uppsala in Sweden writes that patients given a combination of fish oil and aspirin improved their eicosanoid levels better than when given aspirin alone. Because the study involved such a small study group, just four patients, further research is needed in this area.
Heart Disease
Taking fish oil along with aspirin may enhance the blood clot prevention ability of aspirin. In the March 2008 issue of "The FAESB Journal," the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Dr. Mark Larson writes that alone, omega-3 fatty acids do not inhibit blood clot formation but when taken with aspirin, omega-3 enhances the ability of aspirin to deter blood clot formation.
Warning
Combining aspirin and fish oil can slow blood clotting and increase your risk of excessive bleeding. Fish oil may pose the same risks when combined with warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, ticlopidine and other drugs. Always check with your physician prior to taking any supplements. Your pharmacist may also be able to provide you with information about possible drug interactions. Aspirin can also cause side effects including nausea, heartburn, stomach pain or racing heartbeat. If you experience any cardiac symptoms when taking aspirin, contact your doctor or seek medical attention right away.
References
- University of Leeds: Could Two Simple Pills Help Prevent Bowel Cancer?
- "Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids"; Effect of Low-dose Aspirin in Combination with Stable Fish Oil; Karin Engstrom, Ph.D., et al.; June 2001
- "The FAESB Journal", Effects of Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters and Aspirin, Alone and in Combination; Mark K. Larson, Ph.D. et al.; March 2008
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