Side Effects of Taking 4,000 Mg of Fish Oil Daily
Taking fish oil supplements will help maintain a healthy heart by keeping cholesterol levels low in your body, MayoClinic.com reports. Fish oil, classified as an omega-3-acid ethyl ester, contains both docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, key elements in lowering triglycerides, part of your cholesterol. The American Heart Association suggests that up to the 4,000 mg dose of fish oil can help if you have very high triglycerides. As with any health-related supplement, seek your doctor’s counsel before starting fish oil use. Your doctor will monitor the effects of the fish oil supplements and guide you if there are any side effects, which can occur with fish oil.
Palpitations
Palpitations indicate that your heart cannot pump blood effectively. A serious side effect of fish oil, these heart palpitations may send you to the emergency room. Seek prompt medical assistance to monitor your heart’s activities.
Stomach Upset
Omega 3 Fish Oil Pills Side Effects
Learn More
Extra gas in the stomach may occur as fish oil may irritate the intestinal lining causing gas to accumulate. Drugs.com indicates burping is a side effect of fish oil that can occur at anytime while you take the supplement. If this side effect becomes annoying, speak to your doctor for a solution.
Chest Discomfort
Chest pain may occur as a serious side effect of fish oil, Drugs.com reports. If you experience chest pain or discomfort, go to the emergency room. This complaint may relate to an underlying health issue.
Bad Breath
Omega-3 Supplement Side Effects
Learn More
Bad breath may occur as you experience the side effect of a change of taste in your mouth, Drugs.com reports. This taste change is a common side effect of fish oil. Usually, fish oil will produce a smell and taste of fish. Although not serious, you can overcome this taste and bad breath with breath mints.
- Bad breath may occur as you experience the side effect of a change of taste in your mouth, Drugs.com reports.
- Usually, fish oil will produce a smell and taste of fish.
Bloating
Your jeans feel tighter than usual when experiencing this common side effect of fish oil. Bloating may occur as a common side effect of fish oil as your body adjusts to this new supplement. This side effect will usually stop after several weeks of ingestion of fish oil gel caps. If it continues, your doctor can prescribe medication that will help decrease the bloating.
- Your jeans feel tighter than usual when experiencing this common side effect of fish oil.
- Bloating may occur as a common side effect of fish oil as your body adjusts to this new supplement.
Stomach Pain
Stomach pain may occur when you take fish oil supplements, especially at first. Taking fish oil after you eat a meal may help with this side effect. Food will help coat your stomach and mix with the fish oil, which may lessen the pain.
Related Articles
References
- American Heart Association: What Are the AHA Recommendations for Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Drugs.com: Fish Oils
- Mayo Clinic: Fish Oil
- MedlinePlus: Omega-3-Acid Ethyl Esters
- Drugs.com: Fish Oil
- American Heart Association. Getting Healthy. Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Updated March 23, 2017.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.
- National Institutes of Health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. 7 things to know about omega-3 fatty acids. Updated October 9, 2019.
- Rizos EC, Ntzani EE, et al. Association Between Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Risk of Major Cardiovascular Disease Events A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012;308(10):1024-1033. doi:10.1001/2012.jama.11374
- Natural Resources Defense Council. Nicole Greenfield. The smart seafood buying guide: five ways to ensure the fish you eat is healthy for you and for the environment. Updated August 26, 2015.
Writer Bio
Carole Anne Tomlinson is a registered nurse with experience in rehabilitation, nutrition, chemical dependency, diabetes and health problems related to the elderly. Tomlinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and is presently working on her master's degree in nursing. Her screenplays have been viewed by Merchant Ivory, Angela Lansbury and Steven King's associates.