Is a Fish Oil Supplement Good For Me?

[Teri16]

Fish Oil Supplements can be beneficial to many, but from what I've read, eating the right fish is still the best thing overall. I've included some links and hope that this helps you to make your own educated decision on this question.

Hugs, Teri

"Can you get omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil supplements?"

"Fish oil supplements do provide omega-3 fatty acids. But the best way to get these nutrients is by eating fish. Besides omega-3s, fish also provide a lean source of protein, B vitamins, iron, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus — nutrients not found in supplements alone.

Some people may benefit from fish oil supplements if taken along with eating a variety of fish several times a week. The American Heart Association recommends fish oil supplements for people with coronary artery disease and people who need to lower their triglyceride level. Talk to your doctor before taking these supplements. Large amounts of omega-3s cause excessive bleeding in some people."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=NU00292

[Teri16]

"Not for everyone...

If fish oil is so great, why shouldn’t everyone take supplements?

• The decreased ability of the blood to clot, which helps prevent heart attacks, has a negative side, notably an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. People with bleeding disorders, those taking anticoagulants, and those with uncontrolled hypertension should not take fish oil supplements."

http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html/ds/dsFishOil.php

[Maya_G]

If you like to eat Fish to get your fish oil, another thing to keep an eye out for is mercury levels. I think all fish have some mercury, but it is always best to purchase wild fish... as in not farm-raised. It is really surprising how many markets and restaurants sell the farm-raised stuff. The wild is more expensive, but well worth it.

[Teri16]

Each of us need to read and learn about the medications and supplements that we take. What helps one person in one situation, may not always help someone else. That's why none of us are all on the same med.'s now for heart disease, as we all have different medical issues that we are dealing with. So only use this info as the thoughts and research of one persons views, then discuss this with your Dr. I truly hope this helps you!

[Teri16]

"Coumadin, Aspirin, Plavix, Heparin, Hormone therapy, or birth control meds. Some Blood Pressure medications and Cyclosporine, etretinate, any herbs with blood-thinning effects like angelica, anise, arnica, capsicum, celery, chamomile, clove, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, panax ginseng, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, onion, papain, passionflower, red clover, turmeric, and willow, along with Vitamin E."

http://www.realage.com/research_library/searchResults.aspx?link=file%3A//Utility2/crsfiles/ma/ma_fishoil_ma.htm

The above medications, herbs and Vit. E may interact with Fish Oil Supplements, so please make sure your Dr. knows what you are taking, in addition to your normal medications that they've prescribed.

[libbygilmore]

thanks for all the input/info.
i am on plavix so i will read carefully and talk to doc before i commence!

---

Libby Gilmore, "The glass is half full"!

[Teri16]

Each of us need to read and learn about the medications and supplements that we take. What helps one person in one situation, may not always help someone else. That's why none of us are all on the same med.'s now for heart disease, as we all have different medical issues that we are dealing with. So only use this info as the thoughts and research of one persons views, then discuss this with your Dr. I truly hope this helps you!

[heartangel]

THanks Teri yes it best to check wiith yur doctor and remmebr eachof us has heart disease and it is different in each and everyone of us so that is why I take fish oil 1ce a week and some can take itmore and some not at all. I have to be careful of what i eat with low thyroid boy if you are on synthroid you really have to watch what you eat too. well got to go decide what is for dinner I think egg salad over some non egg nodles.
Heidi

[SaraTGinMaryland]

There is a product called Rescue 1250 which is just the Omega 3 seperated from the fish oil

[Teri16]

Sara, was this product created to eliminate the bleeding factor?

[SaraTGinMaryland]

>>>Sara, was this product created to eliminate the bleeding factor?<<<

[Teri16]

I checked on a couple of search engines and from I could find, no one's saying...or, I didn't see it. Perhaps, it needs more time to be around?

Thanks for the info! Hugs, Teri

[SaraTGinMaryland]

>>>There is a product called Rescue 1250 which is just the Omega 3 seperated from the fish oil......<<<

[Teri16]

Okay, now I see why I couldn't find it, Sara! lol However, I had to edit the site, as we can't put up sites that sell
things...

If someone wanted to find it they could just put the name in their search bar and locate and read about it that way.
Hugs, Teri

And thanks for trying to help!

[SaraTGinMaryland]

..Of course..I wasn`t really bothered by it

[bluemango]

I would prefer to eat fish than take a suppliment but current recommendations from the FDA are to only eat fish twice a week because of the mercury content. I've heard that there is an international organization that provides independent testing for fish oil suppliments (see: omega-3 fish oil testing), but from what you say about eating fish being preferable I'm not sure if it is worth the expense of buying an approved suppliment, it seems a bit of minefield.

[augoldminer]

When i had my heart attack and bypass surgery the VA hospital staffed by doctors from UCLA gave me omega-3 fish oil
before and after surgery. I had to go off all blood thinners but they did not stop the omega 3.

If the doctors at UCLA think omega 3 works i am going to keep taking it.

[teaman]

How does anyone ever know whether these things help?  I took statins for years and had clogged arteries anyway.  I had 2 stents put in.  If I had not taken statins would I have had the same thing done at the same time?  Are the statins delaying what is inevitable?  Are they helping at all?  I truely would like to know.