Is Fish Oil Harmful?

Everyone always talks about how great fish oil, but have you ever asked yourself: “Is fish oil harmful?” It wouldn’t be surprising if the possibility never crossed your mind, because no one really talks about any negative effects of it. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t the potential for some side effects and problems.

In fact, some studies have gone so far as to doubt the validity of the many positive studies done on fish oil. Because many developing countries rely almost solely on fish for their livelihood, these scientists argue that until more conclusive evidence can be drawn to link it to specific positive health effects, perhaps it would be better to limit its use.

For most people, the main reason not to take this oil is simply the cost. Most families struggle to make ends meet as it is, without trying to tackle the additional cost of the supplements for the whole family. But, what if you did know about some side effects? Maybe you wouldn’t be so quick to take it anyway. The question you’re wondering is: Is fish oil harmful?

The truth is, it doesn’t agree with everyone. Fish oil can increase the risk of bleeding in some people, which takes the form of strokes, nosebleeds, and blood in your urine. You might also find that when you are bleeding, it takes longer to stop. This is all a result of it decreasing platelet aggregation, making your blood thinner. If you are taking it and aspirin or other blood thinners, you might harm yourself or even die. Be wary of this possible outcome.

Another side effect that’s probably not as serious, but a side effect nonetheless, is digestive discomfort like gas, nausea, and diarrhea. While this isn’t necessarily a serious problem, it can be bad if you are constantly suffering from gastrointestinal problems. Usually this is a result of taking too much fish oil, so if you take care to only use the recommended dosage, you’ll probably be just fine.

The other main problem has to do with blood pressure. If you already have low blood pressure, you should exercise caution when taking it, because it has been shown to reduce blood pressure. For most people, this is a positive outcome, as high blood pressure is fairly common. In people with low blood pressure, however, this can be a very dangerous situation.

If there are any other damaging effects, they are dependent on the kind of fish oil you buy. If you choose a brand that is well-regarded and trusted, you should have no other problems. However, if you just go for whatever generic brand of oil you find, you might have to worry about contaminants and toxins in your oil. This is one of the main reasons that people opt to have this oil instead of actual fish, because they want to avoid those toxins. So, is fish oil harmful? On the whole, it has few side effects and, as long as you are responsible, you should enjoy many positive effects from it.