Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Dangers Associated with Omega 3 Overdose

By John Collins

Omega 3 fats, particularly DHA and EPA, are required for many functions of the body and for the prevention of certain diseases. These fats can be easily obtained through nutritional supplements available in the form of fish oil capsules. However, their daily dosage should be carefully controlled since omega 3 overdose may cause complications and side effects.

One of the most prominent dangers of omega 3 overdose is extremely low blood pressure. It's a known fact that fats lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels in the body, but if taken in large quantities at once they may be dangerous. Diabetic patients are also advised to watch their intake of nutritional supplements and foods rich in these fats.

Because of the same reason, plant oils like flax seed oil and hemp oil that contain good ratio of both omega 3 and omega 6 fats, are not recommended to be taken in large amounts at once. It is advisable to take capsules after a gap of 5 to 6 hours.

Omega 3 overdose can also cause side effects like nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, headaches and infections. Pregnant women are strongly advised to watch their intake of omega 3 fats, especially if they are taking supplements or fish oil capsules for the treatment of deficiency of these nutrients.

It is always better to consult a doctor before starting the course of a nutritional supplement product. Good quality supplements if taken in normal amounts do not cause any side effects or other complications, but still it's advisable to check with a doctor or a health specialist to ensure the safety and effectiveness of any nutritional supplement product.

It has been found that supplements that contain more concentration of DHA than EPA are more effective and beneficial for the health. This is because DHA is important for the growth of the nervous system. Always buy these supplements that mention on the bottle or cover how much DHA and EPA are provided by a single capsule.

If you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms, immediately stop taking omega 3 fish oil capsules and see a doctor. Usually people with a sensitive stomach are faced with problems like these and these symptoms automatically go away after a few days. But if you are not comfortable with the results of a particular nutritional supplement product, you should discontinue its usage.

John Collins is a content editor who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. His latest website - Natural Dha Fish Oil focuses on omega 3 as a whole, and in particular, a natural product our editors personally use with excellent health results known as - Dha Esters

Be sure to check out our Omega 3 Dha Esters of choice, it is the natural supplement we use and recommend to friends and family, and have done for over 3 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Collins

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