Maybe you’ve heard that fish oil is an important supplement to take, or you’ve already been taking it to increase your Omega 3 fatty acid intake. Perhaps you thought that you were increasing your brain power, help support the development of your baby if you are pregnant, and even helping to keep depression at bay – as Omega 3s can do, but did you know that fish oil may not be the best source of Omega 3s and can have some unwanted side effects?
First, much of the fish used for Omega 3 supplements is farmed fish, so we have to look at their diets in order to know what is ALSO going into the supplement you are taking. For example, many fish farms feed their fish genetically modified soy and corn feed. When fish eat in their unadulterated, natural environments, they obviously are not dining on pesticide-laden food, therefore making them cleaner. Farmed fish are also given antibiotics and growth hormones to make them grow faster, so you are often ingesting a number of chemicals that you would likely never pay extra to put into your body!
Another problem with fish oils, even when they are wild-caught, is that they are full of mercury. Although regular fish consumption can improve your heart health, reduce inflammation in the body, and even prevent against Alzheimer’s disease, the dangerous levels of mercury can add to all of these health issues.
Common side effects that come with fish oil also include:
- Belching
- Flatulence
- Nausea
- Rash
- Nose bleeds
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
The final, and possibly worst problem with fish oil supplements is that of 30 different brands tested recently, only 30% contained the amount of Omega 3s that they claimed to have on their labels!
The Best Sources of Omega 3s May Not Be Fish Oil
Moreover, there are many foods that are high in Omega 3s that aren’t fish. You can get Omega 3s from:
- English walnuts
- Camelina oil
- Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil
- Black currant seed oil
- Acai berries
- Raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds
- Pistachios
- Evening primrose oil
- Hempseeds and hempseed oil
While eating some wild caught fish from pristine waters can be good for your health, many fish oil supplements might be trading one problem for another. Try getting your Omega3 fatty acids from the sources listed above to avoid side effects.
Author:
Christina L Sarich
She is an experienced and lascivious linguist of the English dialect (American English). She has written over a million words for online health and wellness related forums, blogs, and magazines. She has been featured on sites like Natural Society and InfoWars. She has also been a staff writer for numerous sites, including NationofChange, WakingTimes, MindUnleashed, UndergroundReporter, and NaturalSociety.
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