Fish oil is a popular dietary supplement taken by hundreds of thousands of people wanting the positive effects it provides for cardiac health and other conditions.
But while taking fish oil has been shown to have medical benefits, there also is the potential for adverse side effects.
Here are eight side effects that doctors and other healthcare professionals warn patients may occur:
1. Fishy burps – This is a much discussed and joked-about side effect of taking fish oil capsules. Some companies advertise that their products do not cause the fishy aftertaste commonly reported from taking the supplement because they have an enteric coating, which stays on the fish oil until it is in the intestines, eliminating fish burps. But online, the subject comes up frequently:
2.
WebMD cautions that individuals should be careful to take the correct amount of fish oil and discuss their dosages with medical professionals. It is “likely safe” when taken in doses of 3 grams or less per day, the website said, adding, “There are some safety concerns when fish oil is taken in high doses. Taking more than 3 grams per day might keep blood from clotting and can increase the chance of bleeding.” l
3. In addition, higher doses of fish oil can affect the body’s immune system, lowering the ability to fight infection, WebMD said.
4. Taking omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil affects blood sugar levels, which can be a concern for people with diabetes or hypoglycemia,
according to the Mayo Clinic.
5. Omega-3s also have been known to worsen symptoms in people who have abnormal heart rhythms, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease, the Mayo Clinic said.
6. Fish oil can cause blood pressure to go down, and WebMD said individuals who take medications to lower their blood pressure can experience blood pressure that drops too low.
7.
Omegavia reported that common fish oil side effects include bloating, indigestion and stomach upset.
8.
The National Institutes of Health reported that taking fish oil can cause “heartburn, nausea, loose stools, rash, and nosebleeds. Taking fish oil supplements with meals or freezing them can often decrease these side effects.”
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