Omega-3

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

What is it?

Omega-3, also called omega-3 fatty acids, mainly comes from fish oil, such as krill oil and cod liver oil. It’s also found in foods like flaxseed, linseed oil, walnuts, and chia seeds.

What is it used for?

Omega-3 may be useful for:

- Reducing fatty deposits on the inside of your arteries
- Preventing heart disease
- Managing depression
- Lowering cholesterol levels
- Preventing cancer

Omega-3 also has other uses that haven’t been studied by doctors to see if they work.

It’s generally safe to use omega-3 in food. However, talk with your healthcare providers before taking supplements or higher amounts of omega-3.

Supplements can interact with some medications and affect how they work. For more information, read the “What else do I need to know?” section below.

What are the side effects?

Side effects of using omega-3 may include:

- A fishy taste in your mouth
- Diarrhea (loose or watery bowel movements)
- Nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up)

What else do I need to know?

Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids are not the same. Omega-6 is found in evening primrose oil and borage oil and has different effects on the body.

Don’t take omega-3 if you’re taking blood thinners such as aspirin, heparin, warfarin (Coumadin®), clopidogrel (Plavix®), apixaban (Eliquis®), or rivaroxaban (Xarelto®). There are others, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking omega-3. Omega-3 can increase your risk of bleeding.
Don’t take omega-3 if you’re taking glucocorticoids, such as cortisone, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone. Omega-3 supplements can worsen some side effects caused by glucocorticoids.