Fish oil supplements provide essential fatty acids that lower triglyceride levels, improve symptoms of depression and prevent heart disease. As with any dietary supplement, fish oil can cause health problems if you take it in high doses. Negative side effects of high fish oil consumption include increased chance of bleeding, reduced immunity and increased bad cholesterol levels.
Adults
Adults should limit their daily intake of fish oil to 3 grams per day, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. Another way to get fish oil is to eat fish at least two times each week. Consult your doctor to determine the best dosage if you have a chronic medical condition or take medication. If you take blood-thinning medications or diabetes medicine, fish oil might interfere with their effectiveness. However, use with drugs like cyclosporine, cholesterol-lowering drugs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may provide improved health benefits.
Specific Conditions
Fish oil is used to treat a variety of conditions, and dosages vary based on the condition. According to MedlinePlus, you should take 4 grams of fish oil daily to lower triglyceride levels and high blood cholesterol. If you have been diagnosed with depression, taking 9.6 grams of fish oil each day, along with your doctor's recommended treatment, may help alleviate symptoms. Adults who have coronary heart disease should take 1 gram each daily of EPA and DHA, which are the two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. Other specific conditions that warrant higher dosage include kidney problems, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and attention-deficit hyperactive disorder.
Children
Although fish oil and other omega-3 fatty acids are often in infant formulas, there is no recommended dosage of fish oil for children under age 18. However, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, fish oil supplements may benefit children with asthma, allergies, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, although their use should always be monitored closely by their pediatrician. According to a Sept. 14, 2008 article in "The New York Times," fish oil might also help treat other conditions in children, like autism and dyslexia, although much more research is needed to determine their effectiveness.
Considerations
Although fish oil supplements may be beneficial, obtaining omega-3 fatty acids from your diet is best, due to decreased chances of overdose and negative side effects. To get adequate fish oil amounts, eat fish at least twice a week. Avoid eating tilefish, shark, king mackerel, farm-raised salmon and swordfish regularly, as they may contain high levels of mercury. Fish oil supplements may cause belching, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, loose stools, rash and nosebleeds.
Member Comments