Unknown Facts About Omega 3 Side Effects   by Sandy Rutherforde

in Health / Nutrition    (submitted 2012-02-09)

Many people would have heard about Omega 3 fatty acids. They are basically an essential part of fish oil. It is quite natural that many would have heard about the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids, but not about Omega 3 side effects. Before getting into the side effects of this fish oil, it is important to look at the main ingredients.

The important ingredients of Omega 3s are DHA and EPA. DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid which is an important fatty acid. Fish contains good concentrations of DHA and EPA. Animals and human beings generally contain low levels of DHA. In human beings, they are generally concentrated in the sperm and the brain phospholipids and are also present in the retina. DHA is necessary for the structural development of neural and synaptic membranes. EPA stands for eicosapentaenoic acid. The important function of EPA is that it is anti-inflammatory. It can reduce the blood viscosity and also the risk of developing thrombosis.

The most common Omega 3 side effects are fishy after taste and an increase in burping. To avoid fishy after taste, you can take Omega 3 supplements combined with your meal. Similarly, some people prefer to take the supplements in the form of capsules instead of syrup. There are high chances that this fish oil can cause bloating, diarrhea, belching and flatulence. So, it is recommended to take Omega 3 supplements only under the supervision of a professional health care provider.

People who have bleeding disorders or who bruise easily should be very cautious while taking this fish oil supplement. This is mainly because excessive Omega 3s may result in bleeding; it is advisable not to take more than three grams per day as there are increased chances for hemorrhagic stroke. Similarly, people who take Clopidogrel or Warfarin for blood thinning treatment should avoid taking Omega 3.

People with schizophrenia or diabetes are recommended not to take the fish oil supplement directly as their body may lack the ability to convert ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid) to DHA and EPA. So they should try to obtain this Omega 3 from dietary sources that are rich in DHA and EPA. Again, individuals who have type 2 diabetes should take it only under the supervision of a health care provider as it may increase the fasting blood sugar levels.

Recent research shows that people who regularly consume fish that includes EPA and DHA and Omega 3 fatty acids are prone to macular degeneration because their diet is rich in ALA. In the same way, fish oil may act against prostate cancer, but there is increased risk of this type of cancer in men because of ALA. So, it is better to learn about Omega 3 side effects before taking it regularly.

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