Fish Oil Side Effects
As a nutritional supplement, fish oil has earned the characterization GRAS from the Food and Drug Administration . However, because of pollution in their watery habitats, many species of fish contain levels of toxicity that necessitate attention. Environmental and public health groups have raised awareness of poisons such as mercury, dioxins and PCBs found in common fish. Methylmercury is found in highest concentrations in predatory fish such as swordfish, shark and tuna . However, mercury accumulates only in the tissues of fish, not in fish oil, so fish oil supplements are considered non-toxic .
High dosages or prolonged use of fish oil may lead to some side effects. Some activity in the gastrointestinal system is relatively common — stomach upset, diarrhea and acid reflux/indigestion are regularly recorded. Fish oil takers commonly report a fishy taste in the mouth. Obviously, people allergic to fish should avoid taking fish oil .
The action of fish oil on the blood may lead to an increased risk of bleeding, especially at high- dose levels. Those taking blood thinning medication or NSAIDs should use caution and consult their physicians before adding fish oil to their diets .
One unfortunate effect of fish oil is that it lowers the levels of vitamin E in the blood. Some manufacturers add vitamin E to fish oil supplements. Otherwise, if you’re taking fish oil, it is advisable to take an additional 200 milligrams of vitamin E per day .
Arteries Affect Blood Pressure Through Vasodilation And Vasoconstriction
Arteries, such as the aorta, are composed of three basic layers. The tunica adventitia is the outermost layer . The tunica media is the middle layer, and is composed of alternating layers of muscle and structural fibers. There are two types of structural fibers, elastin and collagen.10 Elastin provides the distensible, or flexible, properties of arteries, while collagen provides stiffness.10 The tunica intima includes the endothelium, a single layer of cells that makes direct contact with the blood.
One of the main functions of the endothelium is to promote widening, or dilation, of blood vessels . For example, in response to increased blood flow , the cells of the endothelium cause the blood vessel to dilate.11 Vasodilation happens because faster blood flow across the endothelial cells causes them to produce a tiny gas molecule called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide then travels into the middle of the blood vessel and causes the muscle layer to relax.11
Once the blood flow decreases again, the blood vessel constricts . Importantly, the ability of blood vessels, especially arteries, to dilate and constrict in response to blood flow allows your blood pressure to remain within a healthy range.
Lets take a second to think about the implications of what weve learned so far by asking two questions:
1. What would happen if your artery was so stiff that it was unable to dilate when blood flow increases?
It Is Well Known That High Sodium Consumption May Raise You Blood Pressure Levels But There Are Some Other Foods Too That Can Have A Negative Impact
- NDTV Food Desk
- Dairy products like milk and cheese contain sodium naturally
- Drinking more than three drinks can temporarily raise your blood pressure
- Caffeine is known to raise your blood pressure levels
1. Dairy products: Dairy products like milk and cheese contain sodium naturally. 2. Alcohol: Drinking more than three drinks in one go can temporarily raise your blood pressure3. Coffee: The primary stimulant in coffee, caffeine is known to raise your blood pressure levels4. Refined sugar:Excess sugar leads to more fat creation and fat accumulation5. Frozen fish and seafood:6. Pork, red meat and processed meat: Pork and red meat contain a whole lot of fat that may get accumulated in the body7. Pickles: Your favourite pickle may be sneakily raising your blood pressure
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Krill Oil Vs Fish Oil
The difference between fish oil and krill oil is that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in krill oil are absorbed and transported in the form of phospholipids into the body cells.
I have provided a complete comparison between the two oils below in this article.
Omega-3 fatty acids function to lower the production of low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides while increasing the level of high-density lipoproteins . Some researchers have shown that consumption of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could lower the risk of developing coronary diseases which might result from an increased level of cholesterol or triglycerides.
High Blood Pressure Medications
High blood pressure is treated using drugs such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Diuretics lower high blood pressure by removing excess fluids from the body. ACE inhibitors help widen blood vessels by blocking angiotensin hormone, which constricts blood vessels. Beta blockers lower high blood pressure by blocking the nerves and hormones signals that raise high blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the cells of heart and blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. The most common side effect of all high blood pressure medications in hypotension, or abnormally low blood pressure.
- High blood pressure is treated using drugs such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers.
- Beta blockers lower high blood pressure by blocking the nerves and hormones signals that raise high blood pressure.
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Supplements To Avoid When Dealing With High Blood Pressure
Dear Mayo Clinic:
What are the dangers of taking over-the-counter supplements? I am on blood pressure medication and have heard that there are some supplements that may interfere.
Answer:
You ‘ve heard correctly. Some supplements should be avoided when you are dealing with high blood pressure. Yet, preliminary evidence shows that a couple of supplements may be beneficial in your situation.
While supplements may be labeled “natural” and don ‘t require a prescription, they can affect the body in many ways. Supplements can interact with medications, change the body ‘s metabolism and cause side effects. Baseline advice for any supplements is to talk with your health care provider before you take them no matter how harmless they may seem.
With high blood pressure, supplements on your caution list should include:
Two supplements that have shown some benefit in your circumstance are fish oil and garlic.
Research has confirmed that routinely eating fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and trout, can reduce the risk of heart disease and death. The heart benefits seem strongest when eating fatty fish twice a week. For those who don ‘t like or can ‘t eat fish, a fish oil supplement is an option. Some studies have shown that taking a fish oil supplement modestly reduces blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. The evidence isn ‘t strong enough, however, for an all-out endorsement of fish oil as a means to lower blood pressure.
Are There Any Risks To Adding Fish Oil To My Diet
Taking fish oil in high doses may result in side effects, like:
- High blood sugar
- Rash
- Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
If you just had surgery, your doctor will also suggest that you avoid taking any fish oil supplements for about 2 weeks.
Fish oil supplements have also been known to have interactions with certain medications and supplements.
If youre interested in taking fish oil supplements and are currently taking any other medications or supplements, talk with your doctor. Theyll be able to help you find the best way to incorporate fish oil into your diet.
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Memory And Other Mental Health Benefits
In addition to postpartum depression,
A 2013 study found that people who took fish oil supplements for longer than 1 month had better cardiovascular function during mentally stressful tests.
In 2012, researchers noted that fish oil, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, appeared to help stabilize atherosclerotic lesions.
The AHA recommend eating fish, and especially oily fish, at least twice per week. They say that this may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, in 2012, of 20 studies involving almost 70,000 people found no compelling evidence linking fish oil supplements to a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, or early death.
Blood Pressure Can Offer An Early Indication Of Bigger Health Issues
But why should you care about your blood pressure anyway? Why does the doctor always measure it, even if youre there to see them about something totally unrelated? Its because doctors know that blood pressure provides an early indication of issues involving your heart, arteries, and organs due to cardiovascular disease. Elevated blood pressure is not only a preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease , but also for chronic kidney disease and cognitive impairment.1
Understanding what blood pressure is and how it becomes elevated are important, but you also need to know what you can do to keep it healthy. As you will learn, omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources have been shown, in no less than 78 clinical trials over the last 35 years, to help support healthy blood pressure.29
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What A Danish Study Reveals
Another fascinating Danish study explains why you should use fish to lower blood pressure and suggests that you need a minimum of three servings of fish a week to see good results.
Investigators found that adding fish oil to the diets of those who ate fish three or more times a week did not reduce blood pressure further. However, doses of fish oil did depress blood pressure in those who did not eat that much fish.
Thus it appears that fish eaten three times a week supplies enough omega-3 oil to control blood pressure in most people, which suggests high blood pressure is partly due to a “fish deficiency”.
Other components of seafood, such as potassium and selenium, may also contribute to lowering blood pressure.
Purposes And Effects Of Nutrients And Foods That Lower Blood Pressure
The following are the nutrients and foods that lower high blood pressure quickly:
Fruit
Fruits
Consuming fresh fruits in large quantity helps to fight against hypertension. A meal in a day which consists of fruit is a good healthful habit for everybody especially for those suffering from high blood pressure.
Again, if those suffering from hypertension are obese, then it will benefits them.
Depurant Broth
Depurant broth is a kind of broth which is prepared with various vegetables and magnesium and aimed at protecting against high blood pressure. These vegetables such as celery and onions are quite effective in detoxifying the blood of waste materials which may trigger high blood pressure and other deadly diseases. A liter of broth of this sort can be drunk throughout the day instead of water.
Diuretic Foods
Diuretic foods can be quite effective as diuretic action medications and one of the most important aspect of diuretics foods is that they reduce the volume of the blood by increasing the urine volume.
Diuretic fruits and diuretic vegetable are quite in fiber, potassium, and several antioxidant vitamins which put in their healing power precisely on the cardiovascular system.
Leafy Green Vegetables
This is because, it has shown that vegetarian diet help lower blood pressure. Therefore, green leafy vegetables are regarded as one of the foods that lower high blood pressure quickly.
Legumes
Squash
Celery
Celery juice with lemon
Garlic
Garlic and oil
Pear
Guava
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How Much Fish To Lower Blood Pressure
Conventional blood pressure lowering medications often have detrimental side-effects on the quality of life and may lead to unfavourable changes in cholesterol levels, which means that you might need to go on cholesterol-lowering drugs as well, with their own unpleasant side-effects.
Several studies have found that supplementation with large amounts of fish oil lowers blood pressure significantly in hypertensive individuals.
Whether smaller amounts are equally effective has been open to question.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine now report that daily supplementation with low doses of fish oil is indeed effective in lowering blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patients.
Their study involved 33 patients with a diastolic pressure between 90 and 104 mm Hg. After a four-week washout period during which the participants discontinued all medications, the patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups.
Group 1 supplemented with 2.04 grams/day of fish oil containing 410 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 285 mg of docosahexaenoic acid . Group 2 was given a placebo capsule daily containing safflower oil .
After 12 weeks and a four-week washout period the groups switched supplementation so that group 1 now received the placebo. Blood pressure, heart rate, and body weight were recorded at two-week intervals during the study and blood samples were collected and analyzed at the beginning and end of each treatment period.
Fish Oil And Heart Disease
Even modest increases in the amount of oily fish you eat have a protective effect against heart attacks. If youve already had a heart attack, then eating more fish significantly reduces the chance of a second one occurring and, if it does, the chances of dying as a result are significantly decreased. Fish oil polyunsaturated fatty acids appear to protect against abnormal heart rhythms, especially in heart muscle receiving a poor blood supply .
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Studies Show Link Between Fish Oil Blood Pressure And Vasodilation
How does fish oil lower blood pressure? The answer lies in its omega-3 fatty acid content. Numerous studies have been conducted on the impacts that omega-3 may or may not have on blood pressure. From a meta-analysis that tested the effects of omega-3 on blood pressure versus a placebo, the following findings can be drawn:
- The average blood pressure reduction was 3.0/1.5 .
- The reduction was greatest in subjects who already had hypertension.
- The reduction was lowest, or nonexistent, in people with normal blood pressure.
- The effect was increased the larger the dose of omega-3, with an average reduction of 0.66/0.35 per gram of omega-3.
In other words, fish oildue to its omega-3 contentcan produce lower blood pressure, and it will have more noticeable effects if you are already hypertensive.
Epa And Dha Affect The Production Of Nitric Oxide
Importantly, EPA and DHA can also directly affect the production of nitric oxide when incorporated into endothelial cell membranes.14,2124 There are many cell culture and animal studies which indicate that omega-3 fatty acids can increase production of nitric oxide from the endothelium, by affecting molecular complexes and gene expression.22,2426
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What Is Krill And Where Can It Be Found
Krill is actually a crustacean, which looks just like the shrimp and could be mistaken for one. They usually inhabit cold aquatic habitats mostly the ocean and serve as a delicious source of food for other larger sea animals such as the whales, seals and fish.
The oceans off Canada, Antarctica and Japan are popular sites where you can spot krill. There have been controversies surrounding the harvesting of krill as some claim that harvesting it could affect other species, which have been dependent on it for food such as the larger fishes.
Krill are harvested for use as a source of food for home krill oil capsules, or for commercial aquariums.
Now, lets talk more about krill oil.
Grab The Benefits Of Vitamin D
Studies have shown that those who are deficient in vitamin D are more likely to have high blood pressure. This can be caused by inadequate exposure to sunlight or an improper diet. Our tip: Ask your doctor if you are getting enough vitamin D every day and whether a supplement containing vitamin D is right for you.
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Balance Your Sodium And Potassium Intake
Studies have shown that reducing the amount of sodium in ones diet and increasing the amount of potassium can support healthy blood pressure. Our tip: Many foods already come packed with enough sodium for any diet, especially processed foods. Try to avoid these foods where possible, and take one step further towards lower sodium consumption by leaving the salt shaker off of the dinner table.
Does Fish Oil Lower Blood Pressure
Fish oil is not a single-treatment cure for every case of high blood pressure, but there are many science-based reasons it helps nearly everyone who uses it. Here is a round-up of the research literature on the top ten reasons fish oil can lower blood pressure and fight cardiovascular disease.
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Vision Loss And Eye Health
Some evidence suggests that getting an adequate intake of omega-3 may help protect eye health.
In a 2012 study, mice that received omega-3 supplements for 6 months appeared to have better retinal function and a lower risk of age-related vision loss than mice that did not receive the supplements.
Optometrists taking omega-3 supplements to support eye health, even though scientific evidence does not always support their use for this purpose. In some cases, eating a healthful diet may be more beneficial than taking supplements, according to some experts.
In 2019, for example, scientists who looked at the data of in Holland found that those who consumed fresh fruits and vegetables and 2 weekly servings of fish were less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration compared with those who did not.
Some people use omega-3 supplements for dry eyes. In 2018, however, a involving 349 people with moderate-to-severe dry eyes found no evidence to suggest that taking supplements was more helpful than taking a placebo for this purpose.