When people hear about the wonderful benefits of omega 3s, they are usually worried about any fish oil side effects. To help you become superior informed, I will try to list them in this article. Please note, however, that you should always consult with your physician to see what applies in your own situation.
First, one of the reported side effects of fish oil is blood thinning. Therefore, people who are already taking a blood thinner like aspirin or a prescription drug blood thinner/anticoagulant, should take care. The impact on blood thinning appears to be dose dependent, so be careful not to overdo it.
Another major worry with fish oils is poisoning from heavy metals and other pollutants that might be contained in the fish it was extracted from. Mercury, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are found in some species of fish.
However, mostly this fish oil side effect is associated with intake fish directly as the oil, even in contaminated fish, carries tiny of the pollutants. What’s more, a good tip for you is to always investigate with the fish oil manufacturer whether their oil has been molecularly distilled. This process which works by separating the oil from doable contaminants by weight, is the saint for ensuring the highest purity.
Another potential side effect are stomach upsets. Diarrhea might also occur or increased burping and abdominal pain. Fishy aftertaste is also a common effect.
All of these fish oil side effects have to do with the freshness of the particular oils you consume. A swift test you can readily perform to get an indication of its freshness, is to cut a capsule in two and smell the contents. If it has a light “ocean” smell then it’s fresh and most probably you won’t have any unpleasant side effects of this sort.
Furthermore, if you are more of the “investigative” type of person, you could look at a figure in the Certificate of Analysis (COA) that should be included in the documentation of your fish oil, called Total Oxidation Level (TOTOX for short). This should ideally be lower or, at worst, equal to the corresponding figure specified by international standards. Generally, a number below 20 is the ideal.
At any rate, all the gastrointestinal side effects can be minimized if fish oils are taken with meals and if doses are started low and gradually increased.
Overall, omega-3 fish oil side effects are considered not to justify any cause for alarm and you shouldn’t worry about them. They are mostly dose related, so as long as you don’t overdo it, you shouldn’t have any unpleasant surprises. A dose of 1 to 2 grams a day is fine for the majority of people.
These side effects become even less important if you think about the many health benefits you get from consuming high calibre fish oil rich in omega 3 acids. And you can have this for less than $20 a month.
Nicos Stylianou is a long time researcher and an expert on issues relating to healthy nutrition. To become superior educated about the wonderful healing properties of omega 3 fish oil, visit his website now at: http://www.your-nutrition-guide.com/omega-3-fish-oil.html
Related posts:
