Fish Oil Side Effects

There are some fish oil side effects that can occur; however, this most often has to do with added elements in a product's formula.

Possible Occurrences

Though it's a natural supplement, minor fish oil side effects can occur when taking poor quality supplements or overly excessive amounts. For the most part, the small number of side effects is commonly linked to stomach upset or gastrointestinal symptoms. There have been no reports of death or irreversible damage to the body or its systems.

At the same time, it's important to note that supplements of poor quality can sometimes have added elements that make them dangerous in large quantities. For example, fish oil supplements with added vitamin A can be dangerous as extreme amounts of vitamin A can cause toxicity that leads to bone density problems. This makes it doubly necessary to have a good idea of what makes
a quality fish oil supplement.

Concerns

The following are considerations if you plan to take fish oils supplements:

1. Be sure to take fish oil derived from the body of a fish and not oil that is from the liver of a fish. While full of Omega 3s, fish liver oil is also a prime source for both A and D vitamins.

2. If you have hematological disorders or disorders involving bleeding or bruising easily, or if you're on a regular regimen of blood thinners, you should consult with your physician before taking fish oil supplements. This is also necessary if you're taking blood pressure medications.

3. A serious complication of choosing a low grade supplement often comes in the form of heavy metal poisoning. Contamination of fishing waters can lead to the inadvertent ingestion of arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and nickel.

Choosing Quality Products

To avoid fish oil side effects, you should be willing to do quite a bit of research and label reading before making a final purchase.