Fish Oil Vitamins and Supplements
Are supplements recommended for everyone?
- The decreased ability of the blood to clot, which helps prevent heart attacks, has a negative side, notably an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. People with bleeding disorders, those taking anticoagulants, and those with uncontrolled hypertension should not take fish-oil supplements.
- Large doses of fish oil may suppress the immune system. Thus, fish oil supplements may be risky for those with weakened immune systems. What's a "large dose"? One definition is 3 grams or more a day, but more study is needed to determine what the cutoff point is.
- Large doses can increase glucose levels in people with diabetes.
- Large doses can cause nausea, diarrhea, belching, and a bad taste in the mouth.
- The supplements may contain contaminants and may not contain the labeled dose. A recent test by Consumer Reports of top-selling supplements was reassuring on both counts, even for the least expensive brands, but that doesn't mean that the next batches will be okay--or that other brands on the market are. A recent study from ConsumerLab.com found no detectable levels of mercury in 20 fish-oil supplements, but did find that some brands didn't contain the labeled amounts of omega-3s.
The American Heart Association Recommends Fish Oil Supplements
Please be aware that it is extremely rare for a major health group like the AHA to recommend any dietary supplement. But remember, its advice concerns the treatment of specific diseases. For everyone else, two or three small servings of fish a week still seems to be the way to go.
Fish may be more beneficial than it supplemental counterpart because it contains other important nutrients, some potentially cardio-protective. And fish can take the place of meat, which is usually high in saturated fat and thus bad for the heart.
Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid
Benefits of Fish Oil
Fish Oil Side Effects
Fish Oil Vitamins and Supplements
Fish Oil vs. Cod Liver Oil
Glossary of Terms
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