Side Effects of Fish Oil

Fish Oil

Fish oil has always been known to contain omega 3 fatty acids, which are quite beneficial for people suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, bipolar disorder and cancer. In effect, fish oil has become an important part of people’s life as a daily supplement. However, like a coin has two sides, it has been seen that fish oil does contain some side effects too.

A major worry with fish oils and the fish they are created from is poisoning from heavy metal and other pollutants. Mercury, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are found in some species of fish. However, mostly this fish oil side effect is associated with eating fish directly as the oil, even in contaminated fish, carries little of the pollutants.

Side Effects of Fish Oil

The possible side effects of fish oil are relatively minor when compared to the health benefits of this dietary supplement. Questions about fish oil side effects may arise from concerns over mercury contamination.

Many consumers are concerned about the quality of the fish oil used in omega-3 supplements. There are also questions about fish oil side effects from mercury contamination in some fish oil products.

The more common fish oil side effects (that is, even those that has undergone molecular distilltion) can usually be avoided by taking with food (even a cracker or small amount of juice will prevent the fishy after taste) or reducing the dosage.

Types of Fish Oil Side Effects

Fish oil supplements are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. But there is no prove of what effects can be caused by too much intake of fish oil. USDA did not list such side effects and no upper limit is known. On the other hand.

The best and safe fish to be consumed once a week is sablefish. Sablefish is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, only 100 grams of sablefish contains 1.49g or 1490 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. Other fish, like tuna, contain a lot less.

The most commonly reported side effects of fish oil supplements include fishy odor on the breath, upset stomach, and greasy stools. A more serious side effect can be an increase in LDL cholesterol, a harmful form of cholesterol.