Are Fish Oil Supplements Safe? - Possible Safety Issues

Are fish oil supplements safe?

With the consumption of fish oil capsules, pills and other supplements becoming more widespread, this is an important question. And if you are planning on embarking on consuming such supplements to obtain your fix of the very important omega 3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, there are a couple of things you need to take note of.

First and foremost, if you have thin blood, have blood-clotting problems, or are on blood-thinning drugs like warfarin and aspirin, you must take note that fish oil is also a blood-thinner. If you take them together or in too large amounts, you may be putting yourself at risk of abnormal bleeding or even hemorrhagic stroke.

Are fish oil supplements safe? There are reports that fish oil may raise blood sugar levels, or increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. However, these contradict other research evidence that fish oil in fact helps to lower these elements. Research suggests that blood sugar elevation could be prevented by adding vitamin E, or by undertaking moderate exercise three times each week for about 30 minutes every time, and that the undesired LDL effect can be avoid by taking 15 grams of pectin per day or garlic supplements. In any case, diabetics should take note.

When considering the question "are fish oil supplements safe", it is often not the fish oil itself which is the problem, but the related issues which it brings. For example, fish oil is said to undergo oxidative damage quite easily, after which it may negatively affect health. That, though, has not been definitely proven. Adding vitamin E to fish oil supplements could prevent such damage.

Fish oil is, of course, made from fish, and, due to environmental pollution, much fish today are laden with all kinds of toxic contaminants, including mercury, dioxins and PCBs. Such a problem would be avoided if a particular fish oil supplement is purified and / or certified to be free of contaminants. This, though, is not always true, but it is something you would best want to ensure when choosing an omega 3 fish oil supplement.

Another aspect of the question "are fish oil supplements safe" relates specifically to cod liver oil. Cod liver oil has high amounts of vitamin A. Now, vitamin A is necessary for good health and vitality. However, when too much is taken directly in supplemental form, toxicity could result, something which is very dangerous. On top of that, having too much vitamin A in the body also affects its ability to use vitamin D. It is thus probably not a good idea to rely on cod liver oil as your source of omega 3 fatty acids; normal fish oil would probably be more suitable.

Are fish oil supplements safe? Generally speaking, when taken correctly, fish oil capsules and fish oil pills are relatively safe additions to one's dietary regimen. Do keep in mind, though, that too of anything, no matter how beneficial, can become a bad thing. Thus, it is necessary to always exercise common sense and discretion. To enhance safety, starting with low dosages and slowly working your way up is a good idea; this can apply to any herbs or supplements.

Besides the abovementioned areas and minor adverse reactions like bad breath, bloating, "fishy" belching and perhaps some nausea, there are not many other reported fish oil supplement side effects. If you are bothered by these symptoms, reducing and then gradually increasing your dosage again may be a good idea; switching brands could help, too.

And while the general answer to the question "are fish oil supplements safe" is "yes", if such supplements don’t do it for you, then do consider other types of omega 3 supplements. These important essential fatty acids can definitely help to give your health a big boost.