All fish oil supplements are manufactured from oils derived from the liver of certain types of fish. One of the earliest supplements available was cod liver fish oil. While it, like other fish oil, contains omega-3-acid ethyl esters, it also contains vitamins A and D. Cod liver fish oil can provide benefits such as helping to improve your cardiovascular health, but it can cause severe problems, too. Talk with your physician before you start taking cod fish oil.
Clotting Side Effects
Cod fish oil tends to make your blood thinner. For most people, this will not cause too much concern unless they take too much of the supplement. For others, however, this effect of blood thinning can cause serious problems. If, for example, you suffer from hemophilia, a condition in which your blood already has problems forming normal clots, cod fish oil can cause a life-threatening condition. Even the smallest cut or bruise can cause bleeding that will not stop on its own.
Vitamin E Deficiency
If you use cod fish oil, especially in large doses, your normal levels of vitamin E may become depleted. The American Cancer Society notes that you may notice a lack of vitamin E in your body through such symptoms as a lack of coordination or balance, or weakness in your muscles. You also may have difficulties with your night vision. Speak with your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of these problems. You may need to take a vitamin E supplement, and you may need to stop using cod fish oil.
Gastric Problems
Most side effects from taking a supplement of cod fish oil will not affect you seriously. Typically such effects as bad breath will go away as you use it more. This happens initially because your body requires time to adjust to the new supplement. If you become nauseous when you take cod fish oil supplements, however, you should talk with your practitioner, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends. You may have a serious reaction to the supplement and you may need to stop taking it.
Medication Interactions
People with high blood pressure who take medications for it also face potential harmful side effects from using cod fish oil. This supplement works to lower your blood pressure as well as your cholesterol. If you take an anti-hypertensive medicine, the addition of cod fish oil may increase its effects and lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels. If you use blood thinner drugs such as warfarin, cod fish oil can intensify their effects as well, making it difficult for your blood to clot properly.
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