Fish Oil-Are There Any Side Effects?

Plentiful research has consistently shown that such supplements daily is a very effectual and efficient way of getting an adequate amount of Omega 3 fatty acids in our diet to make a decisive difference to our health, but what are the would-be risks of any fish oil side effects?

Fortunately, they are rare and whilst taken in the correct dosage most individuals experience insignificant if any side effects at all, but as with whichever supplement, there is the risk of experiencing some symptoms and fish oil is no different. So what must we be watching out for? By far the most ordinary side effects reported are fishy burps, fishy breath or aftertaste in the mouth. This is completely harmless albeit a little objectionable but can largely be avoided by keeping your fish oil in the fridge and taking it with food.

Some individuals have experienced other gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhoea, indigestion, abdominal bloating, heartburn, mild stomach cramps and maybe slight feelings of nausea but once more, these side effects can be eliminated by taking the fish oil together with meals. The fatty acids in fish oil have an anticoagulant (blood thinning) effect which in the majority cases is a safe thing, however, when taken in large doses or with other blood thinning agents, there is an increased danger of bleeding which can take the form of nosebleeds. Serious fish oil side effects are exceptionally rare but it is significant that anyone who is already taking Aspirin, Warfarin or any other blood thinning drugs should discuss the possible risks with their doctor before taking any supplements.

A key concern with eating fresh fish is the amount of mercury and other toxins they might contain. Sadly, our seas are contaminated and so are our fish and so any toxins in them can also find their way into fish oil supplements unless the fish oil has had these contaminants removed. Pharmaceutical grade fish oil is a term that has been applied to fish oil that has been through processes such as molecular distillation and sophisticated filtering systems where the mercury and other undesirable elements are removed leaving purified and concentrated fish oil and. This probability is not significant for high grade fish oils. A key advantage in buying a good quality oil is that it can be concentrated to contain very high levels of the most important fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. It also means you can take one or two pills a day to get the same effect of maybe five or six pills of a lower or standard grade.

Other likely fish oil side effects? If capsule contains vitamin A then there is an increased chance of vitamin A toxicity. Cod liver oil for instance, is made from the liver of fish where vitamin A is stored and can contain potentially excessive amounts of Vitamin A so it is best avoided. Fish oils can also go rancid very quickly and as Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant it is added to keep them fresh. There have been a few studies indicating that taking fish oil may increase the need for antioxidants so it's good to look for fish oil that has vitamin E added.

It's been suggested that fish oil might increase levels of low density lipoprotein (LDP) or bad cholesterol, but this depends on the dosage. There have been some indications that fish oil can have a short term effect on blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes so any person with diabetes be supposed to seek the advice of their doctor prior to taking fish oil supplements.

In general, fish oil side effects are not many and serious ones are very rare while the health benefits to be gained from supplements are numerous. If you are on existing medication or have other health problems then talk to your doctor before you take fish oils.

Find out more. Click here for reviews on Fish Oil www.fish-oil-supplements-guide.com

Article Source: http://www.wellnessarticlelibrary.com

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