Know the Side Effects of too much Fish Oil
Too much of a good thing?
The benefits of fish oil are well-known: lowered blood pressure, prevention of heart attacks, and anti-inflammatory abilities that give relief from arthritis. Fish oil is possibly one of the best supplements you can take. But with all things, too much of a good thing could have negative consequences. Keep reading to learn the side effects of too much fish oil.
Side effects of fish oil
Many people have the idea that if a little of something is good for them, a lot would be great. In some things, this may be true but when it comes to fish oil supplements it's best to follow the old saying, "all things in moderation." Fish oil taken to raise your Omega 3 levels is good, but if you take too much, there will be side effects. Some of these side effects are:
Thin blood --
If you are already taking blood thinners, you need to be especially wary of taking too much fish oil. Fish oil has many cardiovascular benefits including naturally thinning blood. Combined with prescribed blood thinners, you could thin your blood too much.Allergic reactions --
Anyone that is allergic to fish needs to start off with very low doses of fish oil. Low quality fish oil supplements will say "fish oil" or "marine lipids" on the label. In this case, you can't be sure what is in the supplements and it is best that you avoid this supplement altogether.High quality fish oil --
High quality supplements are made from the oil from tuna, salmon, anchovies, and sardines. If you are allergic to any of these species of fish, you may need to take a vegetarian Omega 3 supplement. Vegetarian Omega 3 supplements give you the same benefits and are made from algae.Loss of blood clotting ability --
Fish oil thins your blood so be cautious if you are a "free bleeder." If you take extremely high doses, anything over 4000mg per day, you may have trouble getting your blood to clot after a cut or injury.Low blood pressure --
If you take prescribed beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and alpha blockers to lower blood pressure, fish oil will lower it even more. Low blood pressure is a good thing, but you don't want it too low.Other symptoms that show you may be taking too much fish oil are upset stomach, loose stools, acid reflux, bad breath, and burping that tastes like fish oil. If you are having any of these symptoms lower your dosage until they disappear.
The recommended dosage of Omega 3 is 2.5 to 4 grams per day. Read the label on your fish oil supplement to see how many pills you need to take to reach this amount. As always, if you have any medical conditions such as high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or you are on any prescribed medication, be sure you talk to your doctor before taking fish oil supplements.
