Eating fish such as mackerel, tuna and salmon at least twice a week will lower your risk of developing heart disease, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. This is because fish such as the ones mentioned contain omega-3 fatty acids in their oil. Fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids lowers your cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as improves your overall blood pressure. However, fish oil also lowers your blood's ability to coagulate potentially elevating your risk of developing bleeding problems.
Dosing
There is no recommended fish oil dose for children. Fish oil is safe for adults when taken in doses of 3 g/day or less, MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, reports. Adverse reactions such as bleeding problems are most likely to occur when taking doses exceeding 3 g/day. Your risk of experiencing other side effects from fish oil consumption increase when you take doses that exceed the recommended daily dose.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Blood Coagulation
Omega-3 fatty acids both docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, MayoClinic.com notes. DHA and EPA are substances that help reduce your risk of atherosclerotic plaque buildup as well as lower you blood pressure. However, these are also responsible for decreasing your blood's ability to properly coagulate should you sustain injuries that cause bleeding. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease platelet aggregation and break down blood clots. This adverse effect on coagulation is more likely to occur at doses above the recommended daily dose. Some examples of bleeding problems include nosebleeds and blood in your urine.
Fish Oil and Blood Thinning Medication
A 2004 study published in the "Annals of Pharmacotherapy," discusses the effects of fish oil on the blood thinning medication warfarin. The study involved a woman that was almost 70 years old and had been taking warfarin for almost 2 years because of transient ischemic attacks. The study showed that fish oil actually potentiated the effects of warfarin. This is because the omega-3 fatty acids in the fish oil lower thromboxane levels in platelets impairing coagulation. Always consult your doctor before taking fish oil supplements especially if you are taking blood thinning medications or are going to undergo treatment that involves the use of blood thinners.
Other Side Effects
Taking fish oil supplements increases your low-density lipoprotein levels by as much as 10 percent when you exceed the recommended dose, MayoClinic.com says. Fish oil supplement use also causes vitamin E deficiency and elevate your risk of developing vitamin A and D toxicity when taken over several months. Fish oil supplements also lower your immune response, MedlinePlus explains.
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