Fish oil supplements are a popular source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Like all oils, fish oils are prone to oxidation and become rancid. Fish oil should not be used past its indicated expiration date, as rancid fish oil may be bad for your health. Talk to your doctor to learn more about how to best use and maintain your supply of fish oil and other essential fatty acids.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that omega-3 supplements such as fish oil may be beneficial to heart health. Fish oil has been shown to reduce levels of fat in the blood and to reduce risk of death from a heart attack or stroke.
Rancidity
Over time, fish oil expires as omega-3 fatty acids become rancid through contact with oxygen, explains the University of Minnesota. Just like the fats found in the cells of your body, fish oil is also readily oxidized by oxygen in the air. Oxidation of fish oil causes the fish oil omega-3s to become more like unhealthy saturated fats and makes them less effective at preventing complications from heart disease. According to an article by NutraIngredients.com, using oxidized fish oil may actually increase one's risk of developing heart disease.
Freshness
To ensure that fish oil supplements are not rancid, they should be used before their labeled expiration date. Some fish oils, particularly lower quality preparations, can become rancid before their expiration date. To prevent fish oil from becoming rancid, Michael Eades, M.D., recommends storing fish oil capsules in a glass bottle in a refrigerator. Eades also recommends occasionally biting into and tasting fish oil capsules.
Recommendations
Talk to a health professional to learn more about how to best use fish oil supplements. If your doctor has told you to take fish oil, ask them to recommend a specific reputable brand. Rancid fish oil supplements may be harmful to your health and should be discarded, according to Eades. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that fish oil should not be used past its indicated expiration date.
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