Fish oil supplements offer many health benefits, such as strengthening the brain, improving heart health, reducing inflammation, and more. However, as with any medication or supplement you’re considering, it’s important to weigh all the risks and benefits with your doctor before starting a new regimen.
“There is no doubt that fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids, which offer important health benefits, but like any supplement, fish oil carries some potential risks,” says Farhan MalikMD, double board certified in family medicine and sports medicine, and owner and senior medical director of Prometheus through Dr. Malik.
He notes that problems are more likely to occur when you take too high a dose. “When it comes to supplements, it’s not always better to take more,” Malik says. Better life. “Always be careful about dosage and freshness when taking fish oil. Moderation and concern for quality are key.
Wondering what dangers lie behind fish oil’s stellar reputation? Read on to discover the seven side effects you should consider before you start taking this supplement.
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Fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce platelet aggregation in people without circulatory problems, and recent studies have looked at whether they should be stopped before surgery because of an increased risk of bleeding, he says. Jennie StanfordMD, FAAFP, DipABOM, a double-certified physician specializing in family medicine and obesity medicine. However, she says the evidence indicates there is no increased risk of bleeding and there is no indication to stop fish oil supplements before surgery.
That said, Malik reports seeing clotting issues in his own practice and notes that the key to avoiding them is to stick to the dosage recommended on the supplement’s label.
“Excessive amounts of fish oil can actually cause bleeding problems,” he explains. “I’ve seen patients get nosebleeds or bruises more easily after taking very high doses of fish oil for long periods of time.”
If you have a sensitive gastrointestinal system, taking fish oil supplements may cause gastrointestinal upset, says Stanford, who is also a medical contributor to Drugwatch.
“In some people, fish oil supplements can cause nausea, diarrhea, bloating or belching with a fishy aftertaste,” Stanford says. Better life. “These effects are usually mild and occur less frequently when taking a coated fish oil tablet or capsule. Taking fish oil supplements with a meal also reduces these side effects.”
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Depending on your health condition, taking high doses of fish oil may have beneficial or adverse effects on blood sugar regulation.
“Fish oil supplementation is known to improve lipid metabolism in patients with dyslipidemia,” Stanford says, referring to a condition in which abnormal levels of lipids enter the bloodstream. “Another benefit of fish oil supplementation is that it may improve fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity, as impaired fasting glucose and insulin resistance are common in dyslipidemia.”
However, while this improvement in blood sugar control is beneficial for many people, it can alter the effects of hypoglycemic medications. “It is therefore necessary to monitor blood sugar levels closely to detect hypoglycemia and adjust medication doses accordingly,” Stanford notes.
Another hidden danger associated with taking fish oil supplements is that, like most other supplements, they can interact with certain medications.
“Because fish oil supplementation has been shown to reduce blood clotting, it may interact with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications. With medications such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and other anticoagulant medications, adding fish oil supplementation may increase the anticoagulant effect and increase the risk of unwanted bleeding,” Stanford warns.
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There is also conflicting research on the risks and benefits of fish oil supplements as they relate to atrial fibrillation and stroke risk.
“Many studies suggest that taking fish oil supplements may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke in healthy people,” Stanford says. “However, in people with cardiovascular disease and a predisposition to dysrhythmias (such as atrial fibrillation), taking fish oil supplements appears to reduce the risk of developing atrial fibrillation and subsequent stroke.”
Malik notes that fish oil capsules can go rancid over time, especially if not stored properly.
“Randi fish oil loses its health benefits and may even contain harmful compounds. I advise my patients to keep fish oil supplements refrigerated and pay attention to expiration dates to avoid taking rancid pills. Smelling fish oil capsules before swallowing them is also a good way to check their freshness,” he explains. Better life.
The doctor also warns that fish oil supplements can be very prone to oxidation, which can negate their benefits and even produce harmful byproducts.
“Many fish oil supplements end up oxidizing before you even consume them. Oxidized oils are linked to increased oxidative stress and inflammation. For this reason, I only recommend pharmaceutical-grade fish oil brands that use proper processing and encapsulation methods to prevent oxidation,” he says.
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Finally, many people take fish oil supplements instead of eating fish to avoid consuming high levels of mercury, as well as other toxins or contaminants. However, Malik notes that recent research suggests there is still a risk of contamination when taking fish oil in supplement form.
“Fish can accumulate heavy metals like mercury and other toxins from polluted waters. If the oil is not purified and decontaminated properly, these contaminants can become concentrated in supplements. Consuming contaminated fish oil over long periods of time can have neurological and developmental effects. I recommend choosing reputable brands that follow rigorous quality control measures,” says Malik.