Side Effects of Fish Oil & How to Avoid Them

Fish oil pills have many great benefits for heart health. Your doctor or dietitian may have recommended that you take them on a regular basis. Their Omega-3 fatty acids have many powerful health properties that can do the following things for your heart health:

1. Lower cholesterol

2. Lower blood pressure

3. Prevent hardening of the arteries


If you're already taking them, you may be well aware of the side effects of fish oil pills. They include:

1. Upset stomach

2. Diarrhea

3. A burp that tastes like fish

If you've been put off by fish oil pills' side effects, rest assured that there is something you can do about it. Try any or all of the following strategies to reduce the side effects of fish oil:

1. Store fish oil pills in the freezer. Taking them when they're cold slows down their process of breaking down but it doesn't reduce their effectiveness.

2. Take fish oil pills prior to eating. The oil will mix with your food. The food serves as a buffer and traps the gasses that are a byproduct of the chemical reaction in your stomach. This will reduce the "fish burp" and resulting fishy taste in your mouth.

3. Take low doses of the supplements at first. Ramp up your dose to the recommended amount as your stomach will allow you to do so.

4. Trade them for fatty fish. Eating two servings of fatty fish per week will do the trick for you if you simply can't tolerate the supplements. These are the healthy fats that are good for your heart, of course. You can find them in tuna, mackerel and salmon. If you don't get two servings per week of these fish, then opt for the fish oil pills.

Following the tips listed above will help you to reap the benefits of using fish oil pills. Combine this supplement with a balanced, heart-healthy diet and your heart and cardiologist will smile.

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