Fish Oil Supplement Side Effects

What are fish oil supplements? Are fish oil supplements safe? The oil obtained from the tissues of fatty acids are called fish oil supplements. It is a rich source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. The omega 3s present in fish oil are EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). These are the only portion of fish oil which can provide nutritional benefits. The fish which are commonly used for deriving fish oil are menhaden, herring, pilchard and sardine. Fish oil finds its use in the form of an ingredient of detergents, margarine, resins, and even food products.

Health Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil is known to cause numerous health benefits. Some of the fish oil health benefits are given here. It supports the cardiovascular system. It promotes the function of brain, eyes, and the endocrine system. It supports the role of hormones. Fish oil is also known to improve the health of skin. It boosts immunity. Because of all these beneficial effects on human health, the demand for fish oil supplements is high. They are available in the form of capsules containing softgel.

Many people start consuming it without consulting a doctor. However, this is not recommended. A medical professional's recommendation is always a must to take fish oil supplements. They need to be consumed only in amounts prescribed by a doctor. Or else, the consumer may end up with numerous side effects caused by too much fish oil intake.

Side Effects of Fish Oil Supplements
According to most of the medical professionals, the safe Omega 3 fish oil dosage is 3 grams per day. A higher intake amount may lead to numerous health issues. Some people develop fish oil supplements side effects even with the given safe intake amount of fish oil supplement. To begin with the list, their frequent consumption gives the user a fishy body odor. This could be embarrassing at times in public for the consumer. Apart from this, there are some serious risks involved with the consumption of fish oil supplements.

First of all, the exact source of fish oil supplements is never revealed on its pack. The fish may have swum in waters which are contaminated with PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyl) and mercury. PCBs are environmental toxins and are known to cause cancer. Even the farmed fish may have high amounts of PCBs. It depends upon the components of the foods which have been fed to them. The fish oil supplements are believed to be responsible for several negative effects on human health. It upsets the normal functioning of the digestive and excretory system. When taken in high doses, it causes diarrhea. It aggravates burping, heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion.

The fish oil supplements may induce bloating and pain in the abdomen. Their regular consumption may lead to infections in upper respiratory tract. They may cause the nasal passages to swell. They may lower sugar levels in the blood. They also lower the triglyceride levels. They may raise the level of LDL (low density cholesterol, also called bad cholesterol) in women. The fish oil supplements may cause vitamin A and D toxicity in the consumer's body. Fish oil supplements increase the risk of nosebleeds and hematuria.

It will always be a good idea to consult a physician before starting to consume fish oil supplements. The pack usually mentions the presence of EPA and DHA. Do check for it before buying. If the pack only mentions the amount of fish oil present and does not give information on the presence of EPA and DHA, do not purchase it.