Is a Fish Oil Overdose Possible?

Tell me does this describe you?  Many people that have an interest in enjoying the many benefits omega 3 fatty acids provide worry about the possibility of fish oil overdose.  It is true that certain nutrients can have a detrimental effect on your health if taken in excess, so it does pay to be cautious.  Does ingesting fish oil pose a danger if you take too much?

Most of the nutrients that you take in will simply be excreted by the body when levels higher than what the body needs are present.  Some vitamins such as A, D, B3, and B6 can cause you some problems however, as they are stored by the body to a certain degree.  Even vitamin C can cause a laxative effect when taken in higher doses.

The truth is that there actually is a chance of suffering fish oil overdose, but the dosages have to be extremely high in order for you to suffer any ill effects.  The worst thing that typically happens to people is stomach upset, but the side effects of overindulging on fish oil can be quite serious.  You have to understand how fish oil works in order to see the danger.

The main reason that most of us begin taking fish oil is because of the cardiovascular benefits that it offers.  Omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to lower blood pressure, slow the heart rate, reduce cholesterol, prevent arrhythmias from occurring, and also thwarting the formation of fatty deposits on the artery walls.  They also keep blood platelets from sticking together, and forming blood clots.

It is the role of omega 3 fatty acids as a coagulant that can cause you the most problems when it comes to a fish oil overdose.  The anti clotting and blood thinning effect that omega 3s have can cause you to suffer from internal bleeding if the doses you take are high enough.  The two most common forms of internal bleeding stemming from high doses of fish oil are gastrointestinal bleeding, and bleeding in the brain.

You have to be careful when shopping for a fish oil supplement, because the companies that manufacture some of these products are recommending daily dosages that are far too high.  It is generally recommended that the safe upper limit of daily fish oil consumption is 4000 milligrams.  Studies have shown that this amount does not cause problems for most people.

Some companies are instructing those using their formulas to consume anywhere from 6000 to 10,000 milligrams per day, which is definitely a prescription for fish oil overdose.  Even in the safe range of 4000 milligrams and under people can experience some problems.  The best thing for you to do is start with 1000 to 2000 milligrams per day, and then work your way up to 4000 milligrams over time.

Make no mistake about it.  A severe fish oil overdose can cause great harm, but so long as you are careful about what you are doing you will be absolutely fine.  Don’t avoid using fish oil over fear of the negative it can do, because when used correctly it offers too many benefits to pass up.

You can learn more insights by visiting my web site and discovering more natural ingredients I personally use daily.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/is-a-fish-oil-overdose-possible-1647831.html

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2 Comments

  1. You have the wisdom of the aged and the relevance of youth. What a great combination. It allows you to be sensitive and strong.

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