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5 side effects of fish oil you may not know about

1. Hyperglycemia

   Studies show that taking too much omega-3 fatty acids has the potential to increase blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Another study found that taking 8 grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily could lead to a 22% increase in blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics in about 8 weeks.

   Talking about the cause of this situation, scientists believe that consuming high doses of omega-3 can increase glucose production stimulation, contributing to long-term increase in blood sugar levels.

   However, other studies have shown that only a very high dose of omega-3 affects blood sugar.

   In fact, a combination of more than 20 studies found that daily doses of 3.9g of EPA and 3.7g of DHA (the two main forms of omega-3 fatty acids) did not affect the blood sugar levels of those people. people with type 2 diabetes.

2. Bleeding

   Bleeding gums and nosebleeds are two of the common side effects of fish oil.

   A study of 56 people found that taking 640mg of fish oil a day for 4 weeks inhibited blood clotting in adults. In addition, another study found that taking fish oil supplements may lead to a higher risk of nosebleeds. According to this report, 72% of teenagers suffer from epistaxis when taking about 1 - 5g of fish oil daily.

   Therefore, before performing surgery, patients are often advised to stop using fish oil if they are. At the same time, you should consult your doctor if you want to take supplements if you are on blood thinners such as warfarin.

3. Low blood pressure

   Numerous studies have shown that taking fish oil can effectively lower blood pressure, especially for people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol. This use of fish oil is beneficial for people with high blood pressure but will cause serious problems for people who have low blood pressure.

   There have been many documents recording the ability to lower blood pressure of fish oil. A study of 90 people on dialysis found that consuming 3g of omega-3 fatty acids per day significantly reduced their diastolic and systolic blood pressure compared to the placebo group. (placebo).

   Fish oil may also interact with some antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is discuss with your doctor before you want to take supplements while you are being treated for hypertension.

4. Diarrhea

   Diarrhea is also one of the most common side effects of fish oil, alongside other digestive symptoms such as bloating, especially when taken in high doses.

   In addition to fish oil, a few other omega-3 supplements sometimes cause diarrhea. Flaxseed oil, a popular fish oil substitute for vegans, has also been shown to have a laxative effect and increase the frequency of bowel movements.

   If you have diarrhea after taking omega-3s, review whether you use these products during meals and consider reducing your dose to monitor whether diarrhea persists.

5. Acid reflux

   While these supplements are known for their amazing effects on heart health, they have heartburn side effects in many users. Other symptoms of acid reflux including belching, nausea, and feeling sick to the stomach are common side effects of fish oil, largely because of too high fat levels. In several studies, fat has been shown to cause indigestion.

   Taking moderate doses and taking fish oil supplements with meals can reduce acid reflux effectively as well as reduce associated symptoms. Moreover, you can divide the dose into several times a day to reduce indigestion.

To minimize the side effects of fish oil, how much should be used?

   Despite various recommendations, most health organizations recommend using at least 250–500mg of a mixture of EPA and DHA, two essential forms of omega-3 fatty acids, every day. However, depending on the health status as well as different stages, the recommended omega-3 dosage may vary.

   WHO recommends that pregnant women take 300mg of a mixture of EPA and DHA, which requires about 200mg of DHA. For babies up to 1 year of age, the amount of omega-3 to provide is about 500mg, increasing gradually to the amount for adults at age 14. For adults, women need 1,100mg a day and 1,600mg for men.

   According to the European Food Safety Authority, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids remains safe at doses up to 5,000mg daily.

   A general rule of thumb when taking omega-3 supplements is if you experience any of the side effects, reduce your intake or assess your body's ability to meet omega-3 needs through alternative food sources. So.