How many omega 3 pills per day

Thanks for subscribing! Close menu. Calcium Iron Magnesium Potassium Zinc. HERBS plus-minus. Ashwagandha Cranberry Elderberry Turmeric Curcumin. Best Sellers. Eye Health. General Wellness. Immune Health. Another frequently asked question concerning omega-3 dosage is the maximum amount of omega-3s a person can safely consume. According to the European Food Safety Authority EFSA , a panel of scientific experts established by the European Union to assess risks associated with the food chain, the answer to this question is not yet known.

Based on their assessment of the available research, EFSA contends that the data on omega-3s is insufficient for establishing an upper intake level of EPA and DHA, but that supplemental intakes of up to mg per day are generally well-tolerated and do not increase the risks of adverse health complications, such as prolonged bleeding or cardiovascular disease CVD.

With respect to the safety of omega-3 fish oil, a more important consideration than dosage is the oxidative stability of the product. Because of their multiple double bonds, the fatty acids in fish oils are more susceptible to oxidative rancidity than other dietary fats.

Moreover, since the consumption of oxidized fatty acids has been shown to contribute to negative health outcomes—such as free radical formation and increased susceptibility to oxidative damage to tissues—individuals should take great care in selecting high-quality, third party tested fish oil to help ensure the freshness and safety of their fish oil. All individuals, regardless of age or health status, are encouraged to undergo blood testing and work with a physician who can make personalized recommendations based on their unique dietary needs.

However, in the absence of testing, we have provided general daily recommendations, based on life stage and general health status. These recommendations are informed by: 1 extensive review of the omega-3 and human physiology literatures, 2 consideration of the many factors impeding omega-3 synthesis and absorption, 3 clinical evidence demonstrating that higher doses of omega-3s result in higher omega-3 levels, 6 , 21 and 4 research indicating that doses as large as mg per day are safe for daily consumption by adults.

Importantly, these dosage recommendations should be combined with efforts to consume: 1 oily, wild-caught fish at least twice a week, and 2 a low intake of omega-6 fats commonly found in vegetable oils, nuts, processed foods, etc. This is because omega-6 fats compete with omega-3s for the enzymes needed to synthesize their fatty acid derivatives, and thus, excessive consumption of omega-6 fatty acids may effectively replace omega-3s within cell membranes.

Moreover, these modest intake recommendations are informed by research which has historically tended to err on the side of caution by using smaller doses, when we now have sufficient evidence that doses as large as mg per day are safe for daily consumption and more effective for raising the omega-3 index towards cardioprotective levels.

The authors of several earlier meta-analyses and systematic reviews, as well as a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, concluded that omega-3 supplements do not appear to significantly reduce the risk of most cardiovascular events [ , ]. Many of these analyses [ , ], however, but not all [ 72 , 79 ], did find that omega-3s reduce the risk of cardiac death.

All three advisories recommend one to two servings of seafood per week to reduce the risk of congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and sudden cardiac death, especially when the seafood replaces less healthy foods [ 60 ]. Although this finding pertains to high-dose prescription omega-3s, an earlier analysis of 58 trials also revealed a dose-response relationship between lower-dose dietary and supplemental omega-3 intakes and triglyceride levels [ 82 ].

The — Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that strong evidence from mostly prospective cohort studies but also some randomized controlled trials shows that eating patterns that include seafood are associated with a reduced risk of CVD [ 83 ]. In addition, consuming about 8 ounces per week of a variety of seafood that provides about mg per day EPA and DHA is associated with fewer cardiac deaths in both healthy individuals and those with preexisting CVD.

Conclusions about omega-3s and CVD : Overall, research indicates that consuming fish and other types of seafood as part of a balanced diet promotes heart health, especially when the seafood is consumed in place of less healthy foods. Fish oil and other LC omega-3 supplements lower triglyceride levels and might reduce the risk of some cardiovascular endpoints, especially among people with low dietary omega-3 intakes. Evidence of a protective effect for omega-3 supplementation is stronger for people with existing coronary heart disease than for healthy individuals.

This health claim states, "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Infant health and neurodevelopment Numerous studies have examined the effects of maternal seafood and omega-3 intakes on infant birth weight, length of gestation, visual and cognitive development, and other infant health outcomes.

High concentrations of DHA are present in the cellular membranes of the brain and retina [ 5 ], and DHA is important for fetal growth and development. The accumulation of DHA in the retina is complete by birth, whereas accumulation in the brain continues throughout the first 2 years after birth. Evidence from observational research : Observational studies indicate that maternal consumption, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, of at least 8 ounces per week of seafood that contains DHA is associated with better infant health outcomes [ 83 ].

For example, in a prospective cohort study of mother—child pairs in the United States, maternal fish consumption more than twice per week compared to no weekly consumption was associated with improved visual motor skills in their children at age 3 after adjustment for covariates such as maternal age, education, maternal smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy, paternal education, and fetal growth [ 85 ].

In another observational cohort study in the United Kingdom in 11, pregnant women who reported seafood intakes ranging from none to more than g about 12 ounces per week, lower consumption of seafood during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of suboptimal communication skills in the offspring at ages 6 and 18 months and suboptimal verbal IQ and prosocial behavior at age 7—8 years [ 86 ].

It is not possible to establish causality, however, because all of these studies were observational. Seafood contains varying levels of methyl mercury [ 31 ]. However, results from numerous studies, including a systematic review of the literature on maternal fish intake and subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes, show that the health benefits of consuming moderate amounts of seafood during the prenatal period outweigh the risks [ ].

One of these trials examined the effects of fish oil supplementation in 2, pregnant women on the subsequent clinical outcomes and neurodevelopment of their children [ 90 ]. Compared to the placebo group, children of mothers who received fish oil were heavier at birth and less likely to be born very preterm less than 34 weeks' gestation. However, assessments of of the children all 96 preterm children and randomly selected full-term children found no differences between groups in mean cognitive composite scores or mean language composite scores at age 18 months.

A follow-up study of the children at age 4 years found no differences between groups in general conceptual ability score or other assessments of cognition, language, and executive functioning [ 91 ]. In a clinical trial in healthy full-term infants, those who received either DHA-enriched fish oil mg DHA and 60 mg EPA or placebo daily from birth to 6 months had similar scores on neurodevelopment assessments at 18 months [ 93 ].

However, infants receiving fish oil had significantly better performance on language assessments, indicating some benefit for early communication development.

The authors of a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials concluded that the evidence neither supports nor refutes the benefits of LC omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy for cognitive or visual development in infants [ 95 ]. Another systematic review and meta-analysis that included two randomized controlled trials in women with a previous preterm birth found no significant differences in rates of recurrent preterm birth between women who took omega-3 supplements during pregnancy and those who did not [ 95 ].

Omega-3 supplementation did, however, increase latency time from randomization to birth by about 2 days and mean birth weight by about g. This comprehensive report evaluated the findings from 95 randomized controlled trials and 48 prospective longitudinal studies and nested case-control studies. Most studies examined the effects of fish oil supplements or other DHA and EPA combinations in pregnant or breastfeeding women or of infant formula fortified with DHA plus arachidonic acid, an omega The authors concluded that, except for small beneficial effects on infant birth weight and length of gestation, omega-3 supplementation or fortification has no consistent effects on infant health outcomes.

Recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans : The — Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consume 8—12 ounces of seafood per week, choosing from varieties that are higher in EPA and DHA and lower in methyl mercury [ 83 ], such as salmon, herring, sardines, and trout. These women should not consume certain types of fish, such as king mackerel, shark, swordfish, and tilefish that are high in methyl mercury, and they should limit the amount of white albacore tuna they consume to 6 ounces a week [ 31 ].

The American Academy of Pediatrics has similar advice for breastfeeding women, recommending intakes of — mg DHA per day by consuming one to two servings of fish per week to guarantee a sufficient amount of DHA in breast milk [ 89 ]. However, the authors of a paper published by the American Academy of Family Physicians and of two Cochrane reviews one on full-term infants and one on preterm infants have concluded that the evidence is insufficient to recommend the use of infant formulas that are supplemented with these fatty acids [ ].

Cancer prevention Researchers have hypothesized that higher intakes of omega-3s from either foods or supplements might reduce the risk of cancer due to their anti-inflammatory effects and potential to inhibit cell growth factors [ 62 ]. Results from observational studies however, have been inconsistent and vary by cancer site and other factors, including gender and genetic risk. Other studies have found no associations between omega-3s and cancer risk, and some have even found associations in the opposite direction, suggesting that omega-3s might increase the risk of certain cancers such as prostate cancer [ 14 , 15 , ].

The first large-scale clinical trial to examine the effects of omega-3s on the primary prevention of cancer in the general population was the newly published VITAL trial. The study included 25, men aged 50 and older and women aged 55 and older with no previous cancer, heart attacks, or strokes.

Compared with placebo, the omega-3 supplement had no significant effect on cancer incidence, cancer mortality rates, or the development of breast, prostate, or colorectal cancers. Breast cancer : Evidence from several observational studies suggests that higher intakes of LC omega-3s are associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, but clinical trials are needed to confirm this finding.

According to a systematic review of three case-control studies and five prospective studies published in —, evidence is increasing that higher intakes of dietary and supplemental LC omega-3s are associated with a lower risk of breast cancer [ ]. These authors also found a dose-response relationship between higher intakes of combined LC omega-3s and reduced breast cancer risk.

Intakes of ALA and of fish, however, had no association with differences in breast cancer risk. This finding, which could be due to varying levels of omega-3s in different fish species, warrants further investigation.

Colorectal cancer : Limited evidence from observational studies suggests that greater consumption of fish and LC omega-3s is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer [ ]. The authors of a meta-analysis of 19 prospective cohort studies found no significant association between fish intake and risk of colorectal cancer overall. Results from a more recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 prospective cohort studies and 19 case-control studies indicate that fish consumption is inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk.

In this analysis, 21 of the studies distinguished between colon cancer and rectal cancer. Results from the Vitamins And Lifestyle cohort study suggest that associations between fish or LC omega-3 intakes and colorectal cancer risk might vary by such factors as gender and genetic risk. The amount of fatty fish consumed ranged from none to 0. Overall, EPA and DHA intakes from either diet or supplements and fatty fish consumption were not associated with colorectal cancer risk, but associations varied by genetic characteristics certain inherited genetic mutations are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

For individuals in the lowest two tertiles of genetic risk, higher fatty fish consumption and higher total EPA and DHA intakes were inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. For individuals in the highest tertile of genetic risk, higher total EPA and DHA intakes were positively associated with colorectal cancer risk.

Risk also varied by gender. Additional research is needed to clarify possible associations between fish and omega-3 intakes and colorectal cancer risk. Prostate cancer : Several prospective and case-control studies have investigated associations between either blood levels or intakes of omega-3s and risk of low-grade or high-grade prostate cancer.

Results from these studies have been inconsistent. A few case-control and case-cohort studies have found positive associations between blood levels of LC omega-3s and prostate cancer risk particularly high-grade disease that is more advanced and more likely to spread than low-grade cancer , suggesting that omega-3s might increase prostate cancer risk.

In a nested case-control analysis of men aged 55—84 years participating in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, serum phospholipid levels of DHA were positively associated with risk of high-grade, but not low-grade, prostate cancer [ 14 ].

Serum EPA levels, however, were not associated with risk of either grade of the disease. An analysis of data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort also found a higher prostate cancer risk in men with higher plasma levels of LC omega-3s [ ].

Among Whites participating in the Multiethnic Cohort Study, higher levels of omega-3s in erythrocyte membranes and higher ratios of omega-3s to omega-6s were both associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. However, the results showed no associations, even with advanced or high-grade disease, for other ethnic groups or for the population as a whole [ ].

Both fish and omega-3 consumption were associated with a lower risk of fatal prostate cancer in a cohort of , men participating in the NIH-AARP study [ ]. In the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, a prospective cohort of over 47, men aged 40—75 years, those who consumed fish more than three times per week had a lower risk of metastatic prostate cancer than those who consumed fish less than twice per month [ ].

However, men who used fish oil supplements did not have a decreased risk of prostate cancer. A number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of prospective studies of the effects of fish intakes, omega-3 intakes, and omega-3 blood levels on prostate cancer risk have had inconsistent findings as well. For example, circulating levels of EPA, but not DHA, were positively associated with prostate cancer risk in a meta-analysis of 5, men with prostate cancer and 6, men without prostate cancer from seven studies [ ].

Another meta-analysis of 12 studies that included 4, men with prostate cancer and 5, men without prostate cancer found that high serum levels of these LC omega-3s were positively associated with high-grade disease [ ].

In other analyses, dietary intakes of LC omega-3s had no effect on prostate cancer risk [ ], whereas fish consumption decreased prostate cancer mortality but had no effect on prostate cancer incidence [ ]. A meta-analysis found no significant associations between dietary intakes or blood levels of LC omega-3s and total prostate cancer risk [ ]. The authors noted that most dietary-intake studies included in their meta-analysis found inverse associations, whereas biomarker studies of blood levels of these fatty acids found positive associations.

Overall, the evidence to date shows no consistent relationships between prostate cancer risk or mortality and omega-3 intakes or blood levels. Other cancers : Evidence is limited for a role of omega-3s in the prevention of cancers at other sites. For example, evidence is insufficient to determine whether omega-3s affect the risk of skin cancers, including basal-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, and melanoma [ , ].

Findings from the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study suggest that there is no association between total or individual omega-3 intakes from foods and ovarian cancer risk [ ]. Associations between omega-3 intakes and endometrial cancer have been mixed. Some evidence indicates that dietary intakes of EPA and DHA may provide protection from the development of endometrial cancer [ ].

Other evidence indicates that they decrease risk in normal-weight women but have no effect or even increase risk in overweight or obese women [ , ]. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 prospective cohort and 10 case-control studies did not find an association between fish or LC-omega-3 intakes and risk of pancreatic cancer [ ]. Similarly, systematic reviews and meta-analyses have not found significant associations between fish consumption and risk of gastric or esophageal cancers [ , ].

Summary : Overall, data from observational studies show no consistent relationship between omega-3s and overall cancer risk. Although some evidence suggests that higher LC omega-3 intakes reduce the risk of breast and possibly colorectal cancers, a large clinical trial found that LC omega-3 supplements did not reduce the overall risk of cancer or the risk of breast, prostate, or colorectal cancers.

Additional randomized clinical trials in progress will help clarify whether omega-3s affect cancer risk. Because DHA is an essential component of cellular membrane phospholipids in the brain, researchers hypothesize that LC omega-3s might protect cognitive function by helping to maintain neuronal function and cell- membrane integrity within the brain [ ].

This hypothesis is supported by findings from case-control studies indicating that patients with Alzheimer's disease have lower serum levels of DHA than cognitively healthy people [ , ]. Lower serum DHA levels are also associated with more cerebral amyloidosis build-up of protein deposits called amyloids in healthy older adults, whereas higher DHA is correlated with preservation of brain volume [ ].

In a prospective cohort study involving healthy men aged 70—89, fish consumption was associated with less cognitive decline at follow-up 5 years later [ ]. In addition, a dose-response relationship was observed between tertiles of dietary EPA plus DHA intake and subsequent 5-year cognitive decline.

Subsequent follow-up 6 years after baseline, however, found no associations between omega-3 intakes and incidence of dementia or Alzheimer's disease [ ]. The authors suggest that the discrepancy might be explained by the short follow-up period in the first analysis and the small number of patients who developed dementia.

A higher omega-3 index was associated with a greater hippocampal volume in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study [ ] and with a larger brain volume and improved cognitive test scores in the Framingham Offspring cohort [ ]. A dose-response meta- analysis of 21 cohort studies found that increased intakes of fish and dietary DHA were both inversely associated with the risks of dementia and Alzheimer's disease [ ].

Results from clinical trials, however, suggest that LC omega-3 supplementation does not affect cognitive function in older adults who have no cognitive impairment. In a trial in the United Kingdom, cognitively healthy adults aged 70—79 years received either mg DHA and mg EPA or placebo daily for 24 months [ ].

Cognitive function did not differ significantly between the two groups, although cognitive function did not decline in either group.

Clinical trial results also suggest that LC omega-3 supplementation does not benefit patients with Alzheimer's disease, although it might help patients with mild cognitive impairment.

For example, daily supplementation with 2 g DHA for 18 months did not slow the rate of cognitive decline compared to placebo in participants mean age 76 years with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease [ ]. In the OmegaAD trial, daily supplementation with 1, mg DHA and mg EPA for 6 months in older adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease also failed to slow down the rate of cognitive decline compared to placebo [ ]. However, a subgroup of patients with very mild impairment experienced a significant reduction in the rate of cognitive decline.

In a small trial in Malaysia, fish oil supplementation 1, mg DHA and mg EPA daily for 12 months improved memory—particularly short-term, working, and verbal memory—and delayed recall compared to placebo in 35 older adults with mild cognitive impairment [ ]. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including a Cochrane review, have assessed the effects of omega-3 supplementation on cognitive function and dementia in healthy older adults and those with Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment [ , ].

For people with mild cognitive impairment, omega-3s may improve certain aspects of cognitive function, including attention, processing speed, and immediate recall [ ].

However, these findings need to be confirmed in additional clinical trials. Based on DHA's presence as a structural lipid in retinal cellular membranes and the beneficial effects of EPA-derived eicosanoids on retinal inflammation, neovascularization, and cell survival, researchers have suggested that these LC omega-3s have cytoprotective effects in the retina that may help prevent the development or progression of AMD [ 6 ]. Results were similar in a study in elderly male twins [ ] and an analysis of 38, healthy female health professionals [ ].

The Cochrane review authors concluded that LC omega-3 supplementation for up to 5 years in people with AMD does not reduce the risk of progression to advanced AMD or of moderate to severe vision loss. Older women, in particular, have a higher risk of dry eye disease than other groups, possibly because of hormonal changes that affect the tear-producing glands [ ].

Researchers hypothesize that omega 3s—particularly EPA and DHA—might reduce the risk of dry eye disease and relieve its symptoms because of their anti-inflammatory activity, and many patients take them as adjunctive treatments to artificial tears and other medications.

Some, but not all, observational studies show inverse associations between self-reported dietary consumption of omega-3s and risk of dry eye disease.

But in another cross-sectional study of postmenopausal women, total dietary omega-3 intakes were not correlated with the prevalence of dry eye disease [ ].

Results from clinical trials using omega-3 supplementation, primarily EPA and DHA, have had mixed results in reducing the symptoms and signs of dry eye disease.

Furthermore, there is no consensus on the optimal dose, composition, or length of omega-3 treatment for this condition [ ]. The studies that have found beneficial effects from omega-3 supplementation for symptoms and signs of dry eye disease include one showing that daily supplementation with 1, mg omega-3s mg EPA plus mg DHA for 3 months in men and women mean age about 40 years living in northern India reduced symptoms and some signs of dry eye disease compared with placebo [ ].

In another clinical trial of men and women, daily treatment with supplements containing 2, mg omega-3s 1, mg EPA and mg DHA as re-esterified triglycerides for 12 weeks also reduced symptoms of dry eye disease compared with placebo [ ]. In addition, the supplements increased tear break-up time and decreased tear osmolarity which would be likely to reduce ocular surface damage. However, another large, randomized, double-blind clinical trial conducted in the United States found that EPA and DHA from fish oil supplements are no better than placebo at relieving symptoms or signs of dry eye disease [ ].

Among them, participants received daily supplements of 3, mg omega-3s 2, mg EPA plus 1, mg DHA , and received a placebo containing 5, mg olive oil. Participants could continue taking medications for dry eyes, including artificial tears and prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops, as well as omega-3 supplements as long as the total dose of EPA plus DHA was less than 1, mg per day. At the end of the study, symptoms were less severe than at baseline in both groups, but the results showed no significant differences between groups.

Groups also showed no significant differences compared with baseline in signs of dry eye disease, including conjunctive and cornea integrity as well as tear volume and quality. Overall, the evidence to date shows no consistent relationship between omega-3s and dry eye disease. More research is warranted to fully understand whether increased intakes of dietary or supplemental omega-3s help reduce the risk of dry eye disease and whether they are beneficial as an adjunct treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis RA is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints. Its symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and functional impairments. RA is typically treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs NSAIDs , corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [ , ]. Due to their antiinflammatory effects, some scientists hypothesize that LC omega-3s reduce some of the symptoms of RA and patients' reliance on NSAIDs and corticosteroids.

Several clinical trials, many conducted in the s, have examined the use of LC omega-3 supplementation in patients with RA. NSAID use decreased in the treatment group at 3 and 6 months, and global arthritic activity assessed by physicians improved relative to placebo at 3 months. However, patient assessments of pain, morning stiffness, and functional capacity did not differ between groups. Compared to placebo, omega-3 supplementation had no significant effects on clinical symptoms of RA, including pain and morning stiffness.

In post-hoc analysis, the researchers found that the supplements reduced the amount of NSAIDs needed, but only in patients weighing more than 55 kg. In a similar study in Denmark, 51 patients received either LC omega-3s 2. Compared to placebo, morning stiffness, joint tenderness, and visual pain score decreased significantly in the treatment group. However, there were no significant differences between groups in grip strength, daily activity score, or joint swelling.

The amounts of NSAIDs, aspirin, and acetaminophen that patients needed did not change in either group. Reviews and meta-analyses of studies that assessed whether fish oil and LC omega-3s are beneficial for RA have had inconsistent findings [ 9 , ].

Some suggest that they do not significantly affect the clinical symptoms of RA but do reduce the amounts of NSAIDs and corticosteroids that patients need [ , ].

Others indicate that LC omega-3s reduce joint swelling and pain, morning stiffness, and number of painful joints in addition to reducing NSAID use [ 9 , , ]. Some researchers suggest that differences in findings could be due in part to whether patient-determined use of NSAIDs is considered a measure of pain [ 9 ]. Findings to date suggest that LC omega-3s may be helpful as an adjunctive treatment to pharmacotherapy for ameliorating the symptoms of RA [ 9 , ]. However, more research is needed to confirm this finding.

The authors did find a small-to-modest beneficial effect on depressive symptoms, but they concluded that this effect was not clinically significant. Inflammatory bowel disease : The authors of a systematic review of 19 randomized controlled trials concluded that the available evidence does not support the use of omega-3 supplements to treat active or inactive inflammatory bowel disease [ ]. Similarly, the authors of a Cochrane review concluded that, based on the evidence from two large, high-quality studies, omega-3 supplements are probably not effective for maintaining remission in people who have Crohn's disease [ ].

ADHD : A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 studies in children with ADHD or related neurodevelopmental disorders, such as developmental coordination disorder, found no improvements with omega-3 supplementation on measures of emotional lability, oppositional behavior, conduct problems, or aggression [ ]. Childhood allergies : A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 prospective cohort studies and 5 randomized clinical trials on omega-3 intakes during pregnancy and outcomes of childhood allergic disease eczema, rhino-conjunctivitis, and asthma found inconsistent results [ ].

Although the authors could not draw firm conclusions due to the heterogeneity of the studies and their results, they concluded that the overall findings were "suggestive" of a protective association between higher maternal intakes of LC omega-3s or fish and incidence of allergic disease symptoms in the offspring.

However, the authors concluded that there is not enough evidence to recommend routine use of omega-3 supplements by people with cystic fibrosis. Summary : The potential benefits of omega-3s for these and other conditions require further study. The AMDR for total fat intake, for example, is based on adverse effects from either very low-fat or high-fat diets. It noted that these doses have not been shown to cause bleeding problems or affect immune function, glucose homeostasis, or lipid peroxidation.

Commonly reported side effects of omega-3 supplements are usually mild. These include unpleasant taste, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, headache, and odoriferous sweat [ , ].

Omega-3 dietary supplements, such as fish oil, have the potential to interact with medications. One example is provided below. People taking these and other medications on a regular basis should discuss possible interactions with their healthcare providers.

The authors of a review concluded that omega-3s do not affect the risk of clinically significant bleeding [ ], and the FDA-approved package inserts for omega-3 pharmaceuticals state that studies with omega-3s have not produced "clinically significant bleeding episodes" [ ]. However, these package inserts also state that patients taking these products with anticoagulants should be monitored periodically for changes in INR.

The federal government's — Dietary Guidelines for Americans notes that "Because foods provide an array of nutrients and other components that have benefits for health, nutritional needs should be met primarily through foods.

In some cases, fortified foods and dietary supplements are useful when it is not possible otherwise to meet needs for one or more nutrients e.

This fact sheet by the Office of Dietary Supplements ODS provides information that should not take the place of medical advice.

We encourage you to talk to your healthcare providers doctor, registered dietitian, pharmacist, etc. Any mention in this publication of a specific product or service, or recommendation from an organization or professional society, does not represent an endorsement by ODS of that product, service, or expert advice.

Updated: August 4, History of changes to this fact sheet. Find ODS on:. Strengthening Knowledge and Understanding of Dietary Supplements. Health Information Health Information. Lipids, sterols, and their metabolites. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease.

Lipids: cellular metabolism. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. Washington, DC: Wiley-Blackwell; Harris WS. Omega-3 fatty acids. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. London and New York: Informa Healthcare; Lipids: absorption and transport. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board.

Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids macronutrients. The role of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in health and disease of the retina.