Friday, August 24, 2012

Omega 3 Side Effects

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are not produced naturally by the human body. That is why it is so important to acquire Omega 3 fatty acids from the consumption of food products. Most commonly, Omega 3 fatty acids are obtained from fish like tuna, halibut and salmon. However, Omega 3 is also found in nut oils, algae and krill. As with any nutritional supplements, there are some side effects associated with Omega 3.


Considerations


Some people who use Omega 3 fish oil syrups complain about excessive burping and a fish-like aftertaste. This, understandably, puts some people off of using Omega 3 entirely. However, some people combat this problem by taking Omega 3 capsules instead of the fish syrups. The capsules don't leave any taste in the mouth.








Theories/Speculation


Many people get their required Omega 3 the natural way--by eating an abundance of fish such as mackerel, tuna, salmon and sardines. One problem with this is the increasing mercury level in the ocean. Thus, consuming a lot of fish from the ocean could result in an increase of mercury and metals in the body. Many people prefer using the fish oils because of this reason.


Effects


Some people also report that taking Omega 3 fish oils causes stomach upset and pain. This is because consuming large amounts of fish oils can have a laxative effect. Many people lower their dosages of fish oils to avoid this from happening.


Warning


There is a rare yet harmful potential side effect of Omega 3. This side effect relates to the blood-thinning capabilities of Omega 3 fatty acids. Even though Omega 3 improves blood circulation and lessens incidences of blood clotting, it can be dangerous to those with bleeding issues or those on anticoagulant medications.


Benefits








Thankfully, there are many ways in which adding Omega 3 to your diet can improve your health. There are only a few side effects, and most are relatively minor. There have never been any reports of Omega 3 fatty acids causing or triggering handicaps, death, disabilities or life-threatening ailments.

Tags: fatty acids, Omega fatty, Omega fatty acids, fish oils, Many people, fish syrups