Omega 3 fish oil supplements and its benefits are considered to be many, but do you know the side effects of the same? Read on to know more.
Omega 3 fish oil is considered to be a rich source of the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which is an essential fatty acid. It is the ‘good’ fat required by our bodies. Since we cannot produce it ourselves, we need to depend on our diet to do the needful.
Omega 3 not only reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes, but also lowers the count of triglycerides in the body. Along with lowering blood pressure and benefiting people who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, it can also prevent cancer, depression, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. It thereby promotes a general sense of well-being and health. All this taken into account, one might get swayed in by the benefits, but the side effects cannot be ignored as well. What are these? In the following sections, we will go into the details of the same.
Thinning Blood: Omega 3 has been known to lead to thinning blood―which is not a good thing. If you are already on medication that results in thinning blood, then it would do you good not to touch these without consulting your doctor first.
Stinky Mouth: Though this is not a very alarming side effect, it can lead to a lot of embarrassment and discomfort. Imagine a mouth that smells like dead fish and a constant assault of fishy burps. And God forbid, anyone catches that. So before you take the supplements make sure that you have a mouth freshener at hand.
Vitamin Toxicity: Omega 3 is extracted from the liver of the fish as is in the case of cod liver oil. This is known to have high traces of vitamin A and D. Taking these supplements will lead to an increased level of the vitamins A and D. Too much intake of the same can lead to vitamin toxicity which is a very bad side effect. Take these supplements only if you suffer from vitamin D deficiency to avoid any health risks due to an overdose.
Allergies: It goes without saying that those who are allergic to one or more kinds of fish should be careful before taking the supplements of the same. Always opt for high quality fish oil supplements and start off by taking low doses. If that does not have any negative effects, only then continue. But be warned that taking low quality supplements might prove to be dangerous. Look out for the label and if it says things like “fish oil” or “marine lipids” it means that they might prove to be risky. Choose a brand carefully that includes omega 3 essential fatty acids.
Trouble Clotting Blood: Since taking fish oil will thin your blood to begin with, one must be very careful about the dosage that they use―ideally one should consult a doctor to fix the required dosage. Taking more than the required amount will lead to severe thinning of blood, resulting in an inability or increased trouble in achieving clotting after a cut or injury.
Diarrhea and Abdominal Discomfort: Starting of omega 3 supplements may lead to diarrhea and abdominal discomfort when one first starts taking the same.
Nosebleeds: Taking of omega 3 supplements has known to lead to nosebleeds in a few cases, but usually these disappear after a few days.
Increase in Antioxidant Requirements: Omega 3 supplements might lead to an increased antioxidant requirement in the body.
Lowered Blood Pressure: It might lead to lowered levels of blood pressure. And if you already suffer from a low blood pressure condition, then this omega 3 fish oil side effect is something to look out for.
If one wants to start taking omega 3 supplements then opt for those medicines which have pure EPA in them. This is the most pure and advanced fish oil. All the harmful toxins have been filtered out through the chilling, filtering, and distillation process. So also, one can choose a vegetarian omega 3 supplement that is made from algae and has the same advantages as that which is made from fish oil.
Now that you know the side effects of omega 3 fish oil, it is better to think carefully before starting a supplement. Get a thorough checkup with your doctor and only then go in for them.
Disclaimer – This NutriNeat article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
