When used with a balanced diet and exercise, fish oil has many health benefits, including the reduction of triglycerides that can cause heart disease at high levels, according to Drugs.com. Fish oil contains omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from fish. The human body does not create these beneficial fats. Fish oil supplements are a simple way to make them part of your diet. Despite its health benefits, fish oil does have the risk of side effects.
Less Serious Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, several side effects of fish oil are not considered serious unless they are persistent or overly bothersome. Such effects may include back pain, mild skin rash, stomach upset, belching, bad breath or a fishy aftertaste.
Serious Side Effects
Possible hazardous side effects of taking fish oil include fever, chills, body aches, pain in the chest and irregular heartbeats. Any signs of gastrointestinal bleeding are considered very serious. eMedTV states that black or tarry stools, bright red blood in the stool or vomiting blood are signs of such problems. Fish oil can also increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.
Other Concerns
In rare cases, eMedTV states that individuals may experience a hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding in the brain. Signs of this include vision changes, speech changes, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, and a severe headache. Diabetics who use fish oil may experience elevated levels of blood sugar.
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