Natural Anticoagulants like fish oil can stop blood clots from occurring.
Since thinning the blood may improve cardiovascular health, this feature might help explain some of its heart health benefits.
When taken along with a particular anticoagulant or drug, omega-3s may raise the risk of bleeding.
Because of the increased risk of potentially fatal hemorrhage, patients taking blood thinners like warfarin should avoid taking fish oil or other omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
What Purpose Do Blood Thinners Serve?
Blood thinners work to facilitate easy blood flow via veins and arteries. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets are the two main classes/types of blood thinners.
When your body is producing blood clots, your doctor will typically prescribe anticoagulants. Warfarin, heparin, and other anticoagulants are among the examples.
Anticoagulants are stronger than antiplatelets. They stop the platelets from adhering or clumping (which is the first step in the formation of a blood clot).
Contrary to what their name implies, blood thinners do not really thin your blood or dissolve blood clots that are already present. Technically speaking, blood thinners stop blood clots from forming. To help their patients grasp what’s going on, doctors refer to thinning.
What Connection Exits Between Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Bleeding, and Does Fish Oil Cause Bleeding?
Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish oil, which also naturally has anticoagulant effects, due to this fish oil can avoid blood clotting. Fish oil’s ability to prevent blood clots and subsequently heart attacks is due to its anticoagulant properties.
Breaking the fish oil myth bubble, fish oil does not, in literal terms, cause blood thinning.
Omega-3s by themselves do not risk bleeding, but taking them along with a certain medication or anticoagulant can, because blood thinners and omega-3 fatty acids both inhibit the development of clots, and more blood loss than usual will result.
Adverse Effects of Fish Oil
Everything in excess is harmful to people’s health. This also applies to fish oil. Here are some adverse effects of high fish oil consumption, but they are uncommon:
1. Bad Taste or Smell
Both fish oil and fish have a distinct, repulsive odor. And as a result, some individuals claim that the fish oil tastes awful or has a nasty aftertaste. Some claim that fish oil even causes foul breath and sweat to smell awful.
But there is no proof that these side effects are harmful in the long run, and they are harmless.
2. Reaction to Allergies
It’s possible for some people to become allergic to virtually any food, even fish oil supplements. You could become allergic to fish oil if you have a fish allergy, which would cause symptoms like itching or other discomforts. So, before taking fish oil, be sure to speak with or contact your doctor.
3. Digestive System Symptoms
Similar to other drugs or dietary supplements, fish oil use may cause digestive problems.
Most of the time, reducing the dosage of cod liver oil alleviates the symptoms. And in some circumstances, you might need to quit taking fish oil supplements entirely.
4. Prostate Cancer
There may be a connection between fish oil and prostate cancer, according to certain studies. Nevertheless, other research contends that there is no connection between the two.
Overall, it can be said that the study revealed no connection between eating fish and a person’s risk of developing prostate cancer.
A word from the doctor:
The precise dosage of omega-3 fatty acids that a person should take is not advised. It relies on a number of variables, including age and level of health.
The majority of fish oil studies have focused on small daily doses of a few grams (g). More side effects could be experienced with higher doses, such as 20 g per day.
Before raising the dosage, people might start with a small amount every day and consult a doctor.
Someone may wish to reduce the dosage to see if it helps with the problems if they have an offensive scent or other mild side effects.
So, get started by contacting us right away!