Is Fish Oil a Blood Thinner?

Fish oils are extracted from the tissues of oily fish. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which are thought to reduce inflammation and render numerous healthful benefits to the body. One question that is frequently asked when fish oil is being talked about is this: Is fish oil a blood thinner? Let us see if it is a yes or no.

Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil is thought to lower cholesterol level and make the blood thinner thus making it less prone for clot formation. Clots in the blood vessels could predispose one for heart attack or stroke. With that, it can be said that the blood should always be free from clots and one way to achieve it is to take in foods or supplements rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Fishes with high level of omega 3 fatty acids are as follows: Herring, Anchovies, Salmon, Albacore tuna, Lake Trout and Mackerel. These fishes do not produce omega-3 but instead accumulate them in their body after consuming microalgae, precursors to these fatty acids. Fishes who are positioned on top of the oceanic food chain may have high omega-3 fatty acids content but could have certain levels of toxic substances (mercury, PCBs, chlordane, and dioxin) in their body because of their top position in the food chain. Some of these fishes are shark, tile fish, sword fish, and albacore tuna. With this, the U.S food and drug administration limits the consumption of these fishes.

Aside from the blood thinning capability of fish oil, it has also been in study for treating clinical depression and anxiety. This is founded by the observation that there is a lower rate of depression among citizens of countries with high intake of fish in their diet.

If you are currently taking medications that have blood thinning capabilities like aspirin or Coumadin, it is best to seek medical advice first before taking in fish oil. Fish oils are now widely distributed and sold as a food supplement. They come in soft capsules that are packed in 60s. You can buy fish oil on your favorite health shops or pharmacy.

When buying fish oils, be sure to check the expiration date and the container should be well sealed. Do not buy opened containers. You can also buy fish oil online. Be careful when purchasing online since there are a lot of scams that has been going on. Buy products only on your trusted online shop. Usually, online shops sell cheaper products because of their low maintenance cost than offline shops. Know the delivery and refund policy of the shop so that you would know what to do should there be any discrepancies on your purchased product.

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