Fish oil supplements: Uses, dosages, side effects

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Fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are needed for many bodily functions, from muscle performance to cell growth.
Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from food. The body cannot produce this acid on its own. Fish oil contains 2 omega-3s called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Food sources of DHA and EPA are salmon, mackerel, and shellfish (clams, oysters, crab). Some nuts and vegetable oils contain another omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

1. What is the effect of fish oil?

Research shows that the use of fish oil can treat the following diseases:
1.1 Heart disease Research shows that fish oil supplements in the diet include tuna or salmon with a frequency of 2 times / week help reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Taking fish oil supplements for at least 6 months has been shown to reduce the risk of heart-related conditions (such as heart attack) and death in people at high risk for heart disease. The study also found a lower risk of congestive heart failure in older adults with high levels of EPA fatty acids.
1.2 High blood pressure There is some evidence that fish oil use is more effective for people with moderate to severe hypertension than it is for people with mild hypertension.
1.3 Triglycerides and high cholesterol There is evidence that omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels. It also seems to help improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL a.k.a. "good cholesterol") levels, although an increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL aka "bad cholesterol" may be seen). ").
1.4 Rheumatoid Arthritis Studies show that fish oil supplements can help reduce pain, improve morning stiffness, and reduce joint pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
1.5 Reduces Blood Clots Research shows that fish oil reduces the incidence of vascular occlusion by up to 45% when given at least 3 weeks before angioplasty and continued for a month thereafter.
1.6 Avoiding miscarriage in pregnant women with autoimmune disorders Take fish oil to prevent miscarriage and increase live birth rates in pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome.

1.7 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children Early research shows that taking fish oil improves attention, mental function, and behavior in 8-13-year-olds with ADHD. Another study found that taking a specific supplement containing fish oil and evening primrose oil improved mental function and behavior in children 7-12 years old with ADHD.
1.8 Bipolar disorder Taking fish oil along with conventional treatments for bipolar disorder seems to improve symptoms of depression.
1.9 Limiting weight loss in critically ill people Taking high doses of fish oil may reduce weight loss in some cancer patients. Low-dose fish oil doesn't seem to have this effect. Some researchers believe that fish oil slows cancer-related weight loss by fighting depression and improving the mood of people with cancer.
1.10 Surgery to improve blood flow to the heart (CABG surgery) Taking fish oil helps prevent coronary arteries from being reattached after CABG surgery.
1.11 Cyclosporine-induced kidney damage Cyclosporine is a drug that reduces the chance of organ rejection after an organ transplant. Taking fish oil helps prevent kidney damage in people taking this medicine. Fish oil also improves kidney function during the recovery period after an organ rejection in people taking cyclosporine.
1.12 Menstrual pain Research shows that taking fish oil, alone or with vitamin B12 or vitamin E can improve painful periods and reduce the need for pain medication in women during menstruation.
1.13 Endometrial cancer There is some evidence that women who regularly eat about two servings of omega-3 rich fish weekly have a reduced risk of developing endometrial cancer.
1.14 Psoriasis There is some evidence that injecting fish oil into a vein (by IV) can reduce the severity of psoriasis symptoms.

2. How to use fish oil

2.1 For adults For people with high triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia): Dose of 1-15 grams of fish oil per day for up to 6 months. But most experts recommend a dose of fish oil that provides about 3.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day.
This quantity is provided in four 1-gram capsules of a prescription-only fish oil product. These prescription-only products include Lovaza (formerly known as Omacor, GlaxoSmithKline), Omtryg (Trygg Pharma, Inc.) and Epanova (AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals). You may need to take up to 12 capsules daily in most over-the-counter fish oil supplements to get the same amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
For a procedure to open a blocked or narrowed blood vessel (angioplasty): A dose of 6 grams of fish oil per day beginning one month before angioplasty and continued for one month thereafter, followed by 3 grams per day. days for the next 6 months. Alternatively, use 15 grams of fish oil daily for 3 weeks before angioplasty and for 6 months afterward.
To prevent miscarriage in pregnant women with an autoimmune disorder called antiphospholipid syndrome: 5.1 grams of fish oil with a ratio of 1.5 EPA:DHA taken daily for 3 years.
For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A specific supplement contains 400 mg of fish oil and 100 mg of evening primrose oil (Eye Q, Novasel) six tablets daily for 15 weeks. In addition, 250 mg of omega-3 fatty acids were complexed with phosphatidylserine daily for 3 months.
For bipolar disorder: Fish oil provides 6.2 grams of EPA and 3.4 grams of DHA taken daily for 4 months. Alternatively, take 1-6 grams of EPA for 12-16 weeks or omega-3 fatty acids containing 4.4-6.2 grams of EPA plus 2.4-3.4 grams of DHA for 4-16 weeks.
For involuntary weight loss in people with severe illness (asthenic or wasting syndrome): A dose of 30ml of a specific fish oil product (ACO Omega-3, Pharmacia, Stockholm, Sweden) provides provide 4.9 grams of EPA and 3.2 grams of DHA per day for 4 weeks; 7.5 grams of fish oil daily provides 4.7 grams of EPA and 2.8 grams of DHA for about 6 weeks. Alternatively, a fish oil nutritional supplement containing 1.09 grams of EPA and 0.96 grams of DHA can each be taken daily for up to 7 weeks.

For surgery to improve blood flow to the heart (CABG surgery): 4 grams of fish oil containing 2.04 grams of EPA and 1.3 grams of DHA daily for one year.
For high blood pressure caused by the drug cyclosporine: Take 3 - 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily for 6 months after a heart transplant. Take 2-18 grams of fish oil daily for 1 to 12 months after a kidney transplant.
For cyclosporine-induced kidney damage: Supplement with 12 grams of fish oil daily for 2 months after liver transplantation. Additionally, supplement with 6 grams of fish oil daily for up to 3 months after a kidney transplant.
For menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea): A daily dose of 1080 mg EPA and 720 mg DHA plus 1.5 mg vitamin E daily for 2 months. Alternatively, supplement with 500-2500 mg of fish oil daily for 2-4 months.
For heart failure: Take 600 to 4300 mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily for up to 12 months. In addition, supplemented with 1 gram of fish oil daily for about 2.9 years.
For complications after a heart transplant: 4 grams of fish oil containing 46.5% EPA and 37.8% DHA per day for one year.
For abnormal blood lipid levels in people with HIV/AIDS: Two specific fish oil supplement capsules (Omacor, Pronova BioPharma, Norway) containing 460 mg EPA plus 380 mg DHA twice daily for 12 weeks .
For high blood pressure: 4 to 15 grams of fish oil per day, taken in single or divided doses, for up to 36 weeks. Additionally, 3-15 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day for 4 weeks.
For a condition that slowly leads to kidney disease (IgA nephropathy): 1-12 grams of fish oil daily for 2-4 years. Alternatively, use 3 grams of fish oil in combination with a medicine called a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASB) daily for 6 months.
For weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis): Take 4 500 mg capsules of a mixture of evening primrose and fish oil, three times daily with meals along with 600 mg of calcium carbonate for 18 months.
For psoriasis: Take fish oil capsules containing 3.6 grams of EPA and 2.4 grams of DHA daily for 15 weeks along with UVB therapy.
For mental disorders: Take fish oil capsules containing 700 mg of EPA and 480 mg of DHA mixed with tocopherols and other omega-3 fatty acids daily for 12 weeks.
For Raynaud's syndrome: A daily dose of 3.96 grams of EPA and 2.64 grams of DHA for 12 weeks.
For rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Take 10 grams of fish oil daily for 6 months, or fish oil containing 0.5-4.6 grams EPA and 0.2-3.0 grams DHA, sometimes along with vitamin E 15 IU, daily for up to 15 months.
2.2 For children For children with motor skill disorders (developmental coordination disorder or DCD): Fish oil supplements 558 mg EPA and 174 mg DHA in equally divided doses 3 times a day, using Continuous use for 3 months in children aged 5-12 years. A specific supplement containing fish oil combined with evening primrose oil, thyme oil and vitamin E (Efalex, Efamol Ltd), to be taken daily for 4 months, for children.

3. Side effects when supplementing with fish oil

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good health. You can get omega-3 from everyday food sources such as eating grilled, not fried salmon. Fish oil supplements may be helpful if you have cardiovascular disease or an autoimmune disorder. Fish oil does not contain mercury, which can be a cause for concern in certain types of fish. While generally safe, taking too much fish oil can increase your risk of bleeding and possibly suppress your immune response. Take fish oil supplements as prescribed by your doctor. When taken as recommended, fish oil supplements are generally considered safe.
However, fish oil supplements can cause some side effects such as:
Fishy; Halitosis; Undigested; Nausea; Liquid stools; Rash. Taking high doses of fish oil supplements may increase the risk of bleeding and possibly increase the risk of stroke. There is currently no evidence that people with fish or shellfish allergies can safely take fish oil.

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Reference source: mayoclinic.org; webmd.com