Fish oil is derived from the tissues of oily fish. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid or DHA which is a precursor of eicosanoids which helps reduce inflammatory reactions in the body. Fish oil is widely distributed as food supplement and comes in soft gel capsules. It is popularly consumed because of its numerous healthy benefits. There are a number of people that tends to double dose the intake of fish oil thinking that it can double its effect. How much fish oil is too much?
Fish oil is bought and consumed because of its numerous benefits. It is good for the heart and tends to lower triglyceride and cholesterol level in the blood. It is found to help lower down the risk of acquiring breast, prostate and colon cancer and also relieve depression. It also enhances one’s attention span.
Different manufacturers of fish oil have different daily dose recommendations so it is important to check and read the label before taking anything. As of mid 2009, the Food and Drug administration has not recommended a daily dose of omega 3. However, it does say that one should not exceed 3,000mg of fish oil a day. There are organizations that made a research and recommended to take in fish oil higher than 3,000mg a day especially if one suffers from arthritis or lupus.
According to the American Heart Association, one should take two 4 oz serving of fish oil per week or about 2,000 to 3,000mg of fish oil. Herring and sardines contain the most number of omega 3 fatty acids and can be a good source of fish oil for you if you include these fish in your weekly meal. Avoid consuming predatory fish such as shark, tilefish, swordfish and albacore tuna because they tend to eat anything thus increasing their risk of consuming toxic substances like mercury and chlordane.
Fish oil is becoming a worldwide phenomenon and slowly making its scene in the list of healthy food supplements. Currently, a group of researchers called International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids are trying to codify the benefits and dosage of fish oil. it has about 500 members and continually make big steps in order to facilitate worldwide acceptance of fish oil and contribute researches for further developments.
In should be noted that taking in too much fish oil can thin the blood and lower down blood pressure which is very dangerous as it can shut down the systems in the body. This could also bring poor clotting during injury which can lead to hypovolemia. For appropriate dosage of fish oil, better consult your physician about this.
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