Fish oil has numerous benefits, but an overdose can cause adverse effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and an increase in bad cholesterol. It’s safe to consume fish through the diet, but supplements should be taken in recommended doses to avoid side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, a bad aftertaste, and heartburn. Continuously taking large amounts of supplements can also weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to colds and infections. Signs of an overdose include vulnerability to bleeding from small wounds or cuts.
The benefits of fish oil are numerous, but it’s still possible to have too much of a good thing. Many people take fish oil to help manage cholesterol, keep the heart healthy, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Taking too much fish oil, however, can result in the development of unwanted overdose symptoms such as stomach pain and diarrhea. If the fish oil overdose continues over a long period of time, there may be more serious consequences, such as an increase in bad cholesterol.
There are several ways to consume fish oil. Some individuals prefer a diet rich in fish, which is one way to get a daily dose of omega 3, one of the main components of fish oil. For these individuals, there is little or no danger of a fish oil overdose. The danger here is in other contaminants that may be in fish, but this is unrelated to high amounts of fish oil and is generally a safe way to get a healthy amount of the nutrient.
Other people prefer to take fish oil supplements. Depending on individual conditions, the recommended dosage varies but is generally between 3 and 4 grams for adults. Taking more than this can cause gastrointestinal upset, such as stomach pain and nausea. There can also be extreme cases of some of the frequent fish oil side effects, such as a bad aftertaste, heartburn, and even the development of a rash.
A fish oil overdose generally doesn’t happen just from taking a few extra supplements, but from continuously taking more than the recommended amount of fish oil over a long period of time. This can cause it to build up in an individual’s system and result in adverse effects. Some of these are the opposite result of what you took the fish oil for in the first place. While fish oil can help lower cholesterol, an overdose of fish oil can cause bad cholesterol to build up in the blood.
Continuously taking large amounts of supplements can also reduce the strength of the body’s immune system. This can make an individual more susceptible to colds and infections, which is especially concerning for those with already compromised immune systems. Signs such as increased susceptibility to colds can commonly be seen in elderly individuals.
If an individual suddenly becomes vulnerable to intense bleeding from small wounds or cuts, this can also be a sign of a fish oil overdose. Fish oil is commonly taken to reduce the chances of developing blood clots and can act as a blood thinner. In large amounts, this can cause blood to lose its ability to clot properly.
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