My Experience with Fish Oil Suppliments

[Jim]

I am generally a skeptic and with all of the varying medication that I have taken in the past few months due to my bout with high blood pressure, I was a bit apprehensive about assigning yet another pill to my collection.

But I think this time may be different. My mother and father had been pushing for sometime to take a fish oil supplement (my dad being a self-professed health nut), and like all most good sons, I ignored their advice. But I had increasingly been experiencing health palpitations and was hospitalized briefly, so I thought a few changes were in order, so I finally took the plunge and bought fish oil.

And what a difference it has made.

I use to experience intense headaches whenever I would work on long problems (mostly computer programs). These headaches have almost completely disappeared. I use to have intense sinus pressure especially during the summer and these symptoms have subsided some. Best of all, I rarely experience a heart palpitation.

Which has to make you wonder if some of the long term health problems that most people face (namely common headaches, joint aches, etc) are just issues of nutritional deficiencies? At least specifically with fish oil, the evolutionary theory is that our brains evolved by usage of Omega 3s, and with our current Western diet (which is high in Omega 6), we've actually created an imbalance in our system. We are starving ourselves!

Does anyone else out there take fish oil on a regular basis and what positive/negatives have you experienced because of it?

[Dave Kaminski]

Originally Posted by Jim

I am generally a skeptic and with all of the varying medication that I have taken in the past few months due to my bout with high blood pressure, I was a bit apprehensive about assigning yet another pill to my collection.

But I think this time may be different. My mother and father had been pushing for sometime to take a fish oil supplement (my dad being a self-professed health nut), and like all most good sons, I ignored their advice. But I had increasingly been experiencing health palpitations and was hospitalized briefly, so I thought a few changes were in order, so I finally took the plunge and bought fish oil.

And what a difference it has made.

I use to experience intense headaches whenever I would work on long problems (mostly computer programs). These headaches have almost completely disappeared. I use to have intense sinus pressure especially during the summer and these symptoms have subsided some. Best of all, I rarely experience a heart palpitation.

Which has to make you wonder if some of the long term health problems that most people face (namely common headaches, joint aches, etc) are just issues of nutritional deficiencies? At least specifically with fish oil, the evolutionary theory is that our brains evolved by usage of Omega 3s, and with our current Western diet (which is high in Omega 6), we've actually created an imbalance in our system. We are starving ourselves!

Does anyone else out there take fish oil on a regular basis and what positive/negatives have you experienced because of it?

My parents take fish oil in the winter almost every day I think. They also take vitamin packets at morning and night from the network marketing company my mom's affiliated with []. They seem to have a lot of luck with it and say they're big fans. Is it not just an inexpensive substitute for Omega 5 pills?

[pylonian]

Is it not just an inexpensive substitute for Omega 5 pills?

I'm not familiar with Omega-5, but I do know a fair bit about Omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids. While pills (mostly based on fish oils) are a viable alternative to eating the oil, or even better - the plant or animal the oil came from - I happen to feel that there is a real energetic difference between taking something in pill form and taking it in a less refined form. Some of the pills, however, are simply the oil encapsulated - so there a difference is probably negligible.

I also wanted to point out that flax oil or ground flax seed is a great alternative to fish oil and has a number of health benefits outside of its Omega-3 and Omega-6 containing qualities, perhaps most importantly trace minerals and plenty of fiber.

Eric

[Jim]

Dave, just curious, why do your parents only take fish oil in the winter?

[Mark Lapierre]

I also experience frequent intense headaches after long periods of computer use, as well as bouts of painful sinus congestion.

I take fish oil supplements daily, but unfortunately I haven't experienced any pain relief. I take them because my skin is fairly sensitive to irritation; the fish oil has helped to reduce my outbreaks of dermatitis.

However, in regards to headaches, green tea is superb. Anything with vasoconstrictive properties works for me even when strong prescription pain killers do nothing. Thankfully the healthful properties of green tea outweigh the negatives associated with caffeine.

[thadroe]

Does anyone else out there take fish oil on a regular basis and what positive/negatives have you experienced because of it?

Yep, I take it every day.....I am convinced fish oil and/or DHA is one of the most important supplements people on a western diet should be taking. Your brain, skin, and of course heart an blood vessels all benefit in a huge way from it. I'm a bigger fan of pure vegan DHA but people for people who wish to take higher doses will find it more cost effective to use fish oil

It has helped me in the past with ridiculously high triglycerides. Now I take it more for maintenance and insurance that I'm getting enough. It's really the only supplement I take.

I had all kind of crazy problems a few years ago with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, etc., etc. I radically changed to a mostly vegan diet, lost 50lbs., and reversed all of those problems.

Thad

[Jim]

Originally Posted by Mark Lapierre

.....
However, in regards to headaches, green tea is superb. Anything with vasoconstrictive properties works for me even when strong prescription pain killers do nothing. Thankfully the healthful properties of green tea outweigh the negatives associated with caffeine.

I'm in a unique position where one of the blood pressure medications that I am on is a vascular dialator, so when mixed with anything that is a vasconstrictor, I get these intense headaches. The two must be at odds with each other.

I'm in no way affiliated with this site (and excuse their hideous layout and design), but T-Nation offers a fish oil that is supposidly formulated specifically for males. Read through the forum messages as they cite the research for their reasoning behind the unconventional ratio of DHA & EPA. According to them the most recent research shows that men need more DHA than what is found in most conventional fish oil capsule dosages.

Their product is called Flameout. I'm not qualified to fully verify their research, but empirically speaking, their fish oil product has seemed to have the greatest effect on me in terms of relieving headaches. Just my two cents.

[elainevdw]

I take an omega-3 supplement on my brother's recommendation. Thyroid/emotional problems run in our family, and the omega-3s keep my mind clear and my emotions stable. Of course, there's a lot more to it than just oil -- but they have certainly helped!

[starkey]

A few years ago I bought some fish oil capsules. I took just one and I got naseous! Perhaps it was the brand or the store, but I have been hesitant to try again. Has anyone else had this experience?

[Jim]

Originally Posted by starkey

A few years ago I bought some fish oil capsules. I took just one and I got naseous! Perhaps it was the brand or the store, but I have been hesitant to try again. Has anyone else had this experience?

Yes! Fish burps are the worst! The cheapo brand from Walgreens caused this a lot. Oddly enough, the brand that Walmart pushes (don't remember the name, but it was a large white bottle) didn't have the same effect. Must be a different tye of gel capsule.

[elainevdw]

Sometimes, if I take it on an empty stomach, I get vistages of that fishy taste throughout the morning. Try taking it with a bagel or something. If that doesn't work, switch brands. Flax and fish oils go rancid easily, so I would assume that high-quality supplements would be easier to digest.

A lot of vitamins can upset your stomach. And some vitamins (fat-soluable ones) can't be absorbed unless you do eat something with them. So I think it's usually a good idea to take them with something.

[thadroe]

Vitacost and Dr. Fuhrman both have GREAT DHA products. Those are the two that I use....never any fish burps or side effects. Dr. Fuhrman's is a bit more expensive but EXTREMELY high quality. Vitacost is also very decent quality and great if you want to save money...especially if you are taking higher doses.

Thad

[RandomJohn]

I take the omega-3 supplements from Nordic Naturals, and don't have any of the fishy burps or other undesirable side effects.

For the record, I have done a bit of research on omega-3 supplements, and the FDA already allows some qualified health claims about them. One of the issues seems to be that, unless we eat a lot of fish, algae, or flax seeds, we simply don't get enough. Omega-3s were once more common in our diet than they are now. So they are definitely worth looking into.

[ahimel]

Originally Posted by pylonian

I also wanted to point out that flax oil or ground flax seed is a great alternative to fish oil and has a number of health benefits outside of its Omega-3 and Omega-6 containing qualities, perhaps most importantly trace minerals and plenty of fiber.

Plus it makes GREAT muffins! Substitute cup-for-cup in your favorite honey-bran muffin recipe. (The ground seed, that is, not the oil.)

[Atom]

I've been taking various brands of fish oil for the cardio/emotional benefits. I have found that storing the capsules in the freezer and taking them right before bed eliminates ever tasting them. Freezing also keeps capsules from sticking together.

[Faith]

I've used several different brand of Fish Oils - currently I have the Whole Food's brand "365". I haven't experienced any fishy burps or tastes ever.

I don't know if it was just a coincidence or not, but I noticed immediately that I experienced fewer memory lapses in my 52-year-old brain. My dad has Alzheimer's, and I've heard fish oil may help in prevention of that disease.

Faith

[starkey]

I went to Wal-mart and bought the kind in the white bottle, I think the brand is Spring Valley. No problems with nausea or headache like before.

[Zulu]

I'm in perfect health atm, and I take fish oil everyday in order to preserve that. The evidence for fish oil is just to good to not take it.

[Bittersweet]

Hi

I've taken Fish or Flax now for years. I don't know if it helps or not, but I thought it couldn't hurt as long as it was tested as low in mercury!

I use to have sinus and headache problems all the time. Migraines actually. For me it is a chemical sensitivity to glutamates.

What happens is I eat the neurotoxin in some form and then my brain reacts. I can often deal with a small amount as long as avoid monitors, TVs or driving at night. The flickering lights pull me into a migraine...

So you may want to see if you have a problem with glutatmates. More and more people are developing the sensitivity because the chemicals are so prevalent now in our food supply.

Chemical sensitivities build over time, so the problems will not go away unless you avoid the chemicals.

I have to avoid MSG, yeast extract, etc... it is also naturally occurring in mushrooms, cheese and peas. Although I can have those in low quantity.

Look up MSG sensitivity on Google and read what some of the better sites point out as side effects and you may be surprised.

Cons are you cannot just go out to eat anymore, you have to read ALL labels and you will discover that our food is just not food anymore but mostly chemicals held together with corn. Everyone thinks your crazy because you bring your own food everywhere.

Pros, you may lose weight, you naturally eat less sodium, you may see your blood pressure improve, you no longer feel so sick all the time, you will save money and if you aren't already, will become very educated on food. Oh and make some new friends, who don't think you are crazy! ;-)

Carrie

PS Another very good thing for the sinuses is a netti pot. You use saline and wash out your sinuses once or twice a day. It really helps with workouts, colds and allergies.

[tc33]

But I had increasingly been experiencing [heart] palpitations

Jim, I'm glad to see that your heart palpitations have decreased significantly. About eight years ago, I went to the ER with heart palpitations. It turned out that it was no more than a magnesium deficiency. Since then, I take a 250mg magnesium supplement in addition to a multi-vitamin and haven't had a heart palpitation issue since. Apparently, heart palpitations resulting from a magnesium deficiency isn't that uncommon, so you might want to consider adding magnesium supplements to your regimen if they continue to occur.

Regardless, as you said, it sounds like your fish oil helped with that issue, so my advice may not be applicable. Something to think about in case they continue to occur.

Fish burps are the worst!

Make sure you get the fish oil pills that are labeled 'Enteric Coated' -- this will prevent the fish burps. It's a bit more expensive than the non-coated fish oil but there is no after taste.

In my experience, I started taking 1g fish oil in addition to 1g flax oil about a month ago and haven't noticed any positive results. Then again, I was perfectly healthy before I started taking them so I guess I can't expect much improvement as a result

Hope that helps

Tom

[Jon]

Regarding fishy burps - I use liquid cod liver oil with orange or lemon. No burps, good taste, and way more cost effective than pills. Carlson's brand.

[toddco]

Regarding fishy burps - I use liquid cod liver oil with orange or lemon. No burps, good taste, and way more cost effective than pills. Carlson's brand.
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Tom was right-on when he mentioned enteric coated pills. Enetric coated means that the pills are coated with a substance that does not allow the pill to break down in your stomach, but instead breaking down in your small intestine (due to the differances in pH in the stomach vs. you SI). This not only negates the fishy after taste issue, but promotes absorption of a higher amount of the pills contents into your body (the small intestine sends the broken down chemicals to your liver for metabolism).

I am not a fan of any type of fish, and take enetric coated fish pills with no problems at all.

Todd

[Zukin]

Fish oil supplements cured the depression and anxiety problems I experienced for most of my life. It also had the bonus effect of improving my focus and attention. This page has a good overview of the current research:

Omega-3 for Depression and Bipolar Disorder