By: Mudassir Malik
Submitted: 2009-10-28 16:31:33 | Word Count: 698
Are there any medical conditions which would require one to be more cautious while taking fish oil?
Now these are very important questions - any time we add a new supplement to our diet, we should take it in a controlled way. This is similar to how one would introduce new foods to a baby. You do it one at a time over the course of three to five days so that you can understand the effects of the new food or supplement on the body.
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Now for side effects, the big one for me would be a potential of pollutants in the fish oil. The reason people take fish-oil vs. eating fish is that not only is it easier, but oil extract has likely been purified of mercury, PCB, or other pollutants. The key though is that we want to use high grade fish oil, in some quarters called pharmaceutical grade fish oil. The fishoil is coming from deep-sea fish and sometimes has been molecularly distilled.
We can manage the risk of pollutants by choosing a high quality oil - and yes, I believe there are differences.
Once we get past this - side effects are listed as fishy odor or fish burps (which in the large scheme of things should not be a big deal), upset stomach, greasy stools or diarrhea. To minimize the stomach problems - take fishoil with a meal, not on an empty stomach.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies 3000 mg of fish oil as generally regarded as safe (GRAS). 3000 mg of fish oil will come in 2 teaspoons of high quality fish oil, and between 5 and 15 capsules approximately.
The NIH does recommend caution for persons with diabetes - and if you have diabetes you need to be careful and discuss with your doctor about any additional supplements. This supplement is known as a blood thinner so it may prolong bleeding time. Omega 3 oil looks as though it will decrease platelet aggregation and it may also increase fibrinolysis which is related to the breaking down of blood clots.
If you are taking blood pressure medications - you should discuss with your doctor about fish oil. In fact, your doctor should recommend this oil to you since the NIH says there is a strong scientific backing for fish oil reducing blood pressure.
Vitamin E levels might be reduced with long term fishoil usage - and in fact Vitamin E has added to several commercial omega-3 products. This can be harmful if Vitamin E levels go too high.
If you are taking herbs - consider their interactions with this supplement. Ginkgo biloba, for example, has been linked to some cases of bleeding when taken in conjunction with the oil of fish.
Do not let this article scare you regarding taking omega 3 supplementation though, the benefits are numerous and established. It means, though, that you must be prudent, discuss with your doctor, and be aware of your own body when making changes to add any supplement.
