Side Effects of Fish Oil

Side Effects of Fish Oil Supplements

Many people take fish oil capsules for the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Fish, particularly coldwater fish such as cod, mackerel and salmon, contain an abundance of this fatty acid. Omega-3 acids are thought to reduce heart disease and diseases of inflammation, such as arthritis. The body doesn’t produce its own omega-3 fatty acids. We must ingest them through plant or animal products, and many people choose fish oil supplements to get their daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids. If you are vegetarian, some good source of omega-3 acids include chia supplements and flax seed oil.

Fish oil supplements, although generally considered safe, are not without some side effects. Side effects range from the merely unpleasant and inconvenient to the serious. Obviously, if you’re allergic to fish, you should not take fish oil supplements, and any reaction such as a rash, difficulty breathing, or hives may indicate an allergic reaction. Stop taking supplements immediately and see a physician.

Mild Side Effects of Fish Oil Supplements

People taking fish oil supplements report gastrointestinal distress as the major side effect. This ranges from belching and a fishy taste in the mouth to loose, oily stools.

Even popping breath mints won’t stop the fishy taste in your mouth if you experience this side effect. Although not serious to your health, belching and tasting fish all day is a most unpleasant experience. If you begin experiencing this common side effect, switching supplement brands may help. Some people attribute the side effects to particular brands, since some companies use cheaper ingredients, such as fish heads and other discarded parts, while others choose the oils from the edible main body of the fish.

Nausea and loose, oily stools are another common side effect of fish oil supplements. If you’re experiencing either side effect, try reducing the supplement dose or taking them at a different time of day. For example, if you’re taking it in the morning, try taking it at night. Always see a physician immediately if loose stools become frequent diarrhea, or if you see spots of blood in the stool. This can be an indication of bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract.

Another common side effect is increased bruising. You may find that a few extra bruises don’t bother you, but if you begin noticing a large amount of bruising, or painful bruising, discontinue use of supplements and ask your doctor for advice. Fish oil supplements can increase the risk of bleeding, so if you plan to have surgery anytime soon, talk to your doctor about your fish oil supplements and see if he or she wants you to discontinue them prior to surgery.

Serious Side Effects

Always see your doctor for any serious symptoms. What your experiencing may not be the result of fish oil supplements, but it’s always best to check out any symptoms you deems serious.

Although rare, fish oil poses the potential for some serious side effects. Diabetics should be extremely careful while taking fish oil supplements. According to an excerpt from the U.C. Berkeley Wellness newsletter, fish oil has been linked to decreased glucose control in diabetics. This can have serious consequences since runaway blood glucose levels are very dangerous. Diabetics should speak to their doctors before taking supplements to ensure that their choices do not interfere with glucose control or medications to control diabetes.

Another serious but rare side effect of too many fish oil supplements is an increase in the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts. Long-term brain damage may result. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about this side effect.

Fish oil supplements may decrease the body’s absorption of some vitamins, notably vitamins A, E, D, and K. These can lead to vitamin deficiencies or set the stage for diseases related to deficiencies.

A fourth reported side effect includes an increase in LDL cholesterol levels in people taking high doses of fish oil supplements. LDL cholesterol, the so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol, is a normal part of the total blood cholesterol levels, but this is the one you want to keep low. High levels of LDL cholesterol have been observed in people with heart disease.

Lastly, researchers link fish oil supplements to suppressed immune systems in some people. If you have an immune system disorder, you may want to think twice before taking fish oil supplements or speak with your neurologist for advice.

Avoiding Side Effects

There are certain things you can do to minimize or avoid side effects. First, try reducing your dose. Sometimes simply taking fewer supplement pills reduces side effects.

Another trick to reduce belching and stomach upset is to take the capsules with food. Some people swear by taking them halfway through a meal. The food buffer seems to reduce the unpleasant side effects.

Changing brands often helps alleviate the simple side effects like burping and nausea. Many nutritionists believe that these side effects indicate that the manufacturer cut corners and used inferior ingredients. Switching brands seems to help.

One trick sometimes mentioned by fish oil enthusiasts is to place the capsules in the freezer. While many find that this reduces side effects, some early research shows that this may also reduce the omega-3 acids, and thus the beneficial effects of the capsules. You may want to try the other tips to avoid side effects first to reap the most benefit from your supplements while minimizing side effects.