Fish Oil ---->How Much?

[kitty]

Has anyone run across a recommended dose of fish oil caps for DES? My supplement says to take two of the 500mg caps per day, which I have been doing. However, I have seen people mention taking twice that. Is 1000mg per day enough? Is there such a thing as taking too much fish oil?

[shells]

Hi Kitty,

My bottle of fish oil recommends to take one or two tablets twice daily. So, I take the maximum 4 a day. However, mine are 1200 mg each, so I'm taking 4800 mg a day! I hope that is not too much. I'm sure it is alright since that is what the bottle recommends.

-Shells

[Missy]

Hey Shelley,
You've told me before but I can't remember... are you still taking the HydroEye also?
Missy

[crispen_2000]

Hey Kitty...I thought you might be interested in this website about Fish Oil:

http://www.mercola.com/2002/jun/26/fish_oil.htm

Good luck...

Trevor

[Mika]

hi

hi
eu i take cod liver oil in liquid form, and follow the recommended dosage of 2 teaspoon, which is equivalent to: 2450 omega3 nutrient and containing 1900 epa and dha combined..personally although the bad taste, i prefer the liquid form as it is more readily absorbed by the body

[Maria1972]

It is hard to say how much we can take, b/c these supplements are not really backed up by any study (long term ), FDA, etc. The bottle of omega oils I take for dry eyes indicates 2000 mg a day. So I don't really take more even thoguh I'm tempted.

We have to take into consideration that our bodies also have a "saturation" point so we may take 5000 mg a day (just throwing a number) and that may end up doing more harm that good.

[AccutaneJay]

Not sure this is accurate...

It is hard to say how much we can take, b/c these supplements are not really backed up by any study (long term ), FDA, etc. The bottle of omega oils I take for dry eyes indicates 2000 mg a day. So I don't really take more even thoguh I'm tempted.

We have to take into consideration that our bodies also have a "saturation" point so we may take 5000 mg a day (just throwing a number) and that may end up doing more harm that good.

I'm not so sure I agree with this idea of a saturation point with regards to omega-3 fatty acids, and/or fish oil, but I do believe there is such as things as taking too much. I think that a statement like this should be backed up by some type of reference, otherwise this is just purely opinion.

I also don't think I believe with the above statement that fish oil in liquid form is more readilly absorbed by the body. Keep in mind that fish oil in capsule form is still a liquid supplement, the encasing capsule of which dissolves quite readily, allowing for just as good absorption as the liquid/non-encapsulated form. The fat/oil isn't being absorbed until it reaches the small intestines anyway, which means that if you are taking it in non-enteric capsule form, it has more than enough time to be fully released from the capsule and readily available for absorption when taken with a meal. I've read articles before stating that enteric delivery systems (capsules) have actually been shown to be better absorbed because it isn't released until it has reached the small intestine, thus bypassing any damage or possibility of rancidity while in the hot stomach.

I personally consume 6 grams of enteric coated fish oil daily.

[Silverlady]

With one exception

That statement is probably true unless you have a slow or damaged digestive tract. I've had enteric coated fish oil capsules (that I've taken in the morning after my breakfast) actually be burped up in mid-late afternoon (fishy taste). I have a very slow moving digestive tract due to the dryness of Sjogrens. So if you have problems in that area, the stomach acid may actually penetrate the coating on the capsule by being held in the stomach longer than normal.

Billye

[jannz]

Hi --

I take 6 grams of fish oil daily -- and I also take BioTears. AND I just found out that Omega 6's [GLA] need to be taken along with the Omega 3's -- you need a ratio of 1-4 times Omega 6 to Omega 3. In order to get my ratio optimized I'm adding Evening Primrose Oil too. Borage oil is another option for Omega 6's too.

I see a holistic cardiologist -- I have MVP [mitral valve prolapse] -- and he encouraged me to up my intake of Omega 3's -- I was taking 4 grams. I had heard of another cardiologist that takes 20grams a day.

People are all so different -- I know that I have absorption issues, so I'm not surprised that I may need higher doses than others.

It's important to note that if you take fish oil, make sure that the brand you buy tests for mecury levels.

Best wishes...
Jann

[AccutaneJay]

Enteric Coated

That statement is probably true unless you have a slow or damaged digestive tract. I've had enteric coated fish oil capsules (that I've taken in the morning after my breakfast) actually be burped up in mid-late afternoon (fishy taste). I have a very slow moving digestive tract due to the dryness of Sjogrens. So if you have problems in that area, the stomach acid may actually penetrate the coating on the capsule by being held in the stomach longer than normal.

Billye

This is what I have learned: Stomach acid generally will not penetrate the capsule. Enteric coating does not dissolve in an acid environment; They are designed to break down in an alkaline environment, so I don't believe that prolonged existence in the stomach would have any affect.

[DrG]

Hi --
I see a holistic cardiologist -- I have MVP [mitral valve prolapse] -- and he encouraged me to up my intake of Omega 3's -- I was taking 4 grams. I had heard of another cardiologist that takes 20grams a day.

I think between 4 and 8 grams per day is reasonable. Twenty grams/day is not reasonable. Fish oil has a profound effect on clotting, and works similarly to aspirin by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Too much aspirin and too much fish oil and you run the risk of bleeding and stroke.

[jannz]

Hi -

Found an online reference that suggests "... 1,000 mg capsule with 300 mg of EPA/DHA for every ten pounds of body weight".

http://www.mercola.com/2002/jun/26/fish_oil.htm

That would have me taking about 14grams --- yikes... I don't think I'd want to swallow that many pills on an on-going basis -- especially with all the other supplements I take.


Jann

[Tony Barnes]

Our main business is around seed oils, and as such i know a fair chunk on fish oils (lol, the competition!) - I'm not gonna sit here and bad mouth them, just give some comments that some may be unaware of.

Whilst they are definitely appropriate for some people, these are some of the considerations:

#1. Pollution. This is certainly getting better, but pollution with PCBs, dioxins, mercury, etc, can be high. Limits of detection are far better in europe than america. That said, our biggest supplier, Seven Seas, had to pull enormous amounts of stock just recently for failing tests.

#2. Damage. EPA and DHA are very fragile, both are roughly 5x more delicate than LNA (or ALA, the parent omega 3). Damage is caused by heat, light and oxygen. Only the most recent refining processes go anywhere towards preventing this damage, some forms of molecular distillation are believed to be pretty good.

#3. Oxidative damage. EPA and DHA are both highly unsaturated, which makes them more potent oxidants than more saturated fats. Taken without sufficient antioxidant protection can cause vascular damage over time.

Now, 1 & 2 explain why some people experience no benefits from fish oils, as they are doing as much harm as they are good. Point 3 is why you shouldn't take more than 5g fish oils a day - that level has been lined to cardiac problems.

Your body can use the parent omega 3 LNA to make EPA and DHA when needed, but this can be disrupted in some people either by genetics or lifestyle. If you are in this category, and unable to process the essential fats, then I'd recommend either Krill Oil (which is low on the food chain so less polluted [#1] and is phospholipid bound, and therefore much harder to damage [#2]) or vegan DHA from alage (which is unpolluted [#1], processed far more easily than fish oils and without the damage [#2]).

It's worth noting that if you don't have any conversion issues, then taking in pre-formed EPA or DHA in the diet actually turns down your converision pathways.

For dry eye the benefits of increased series 1 & 3 prostaglandins, and also the precursor for phosphatidylcholine are the main benefits of omega 3's as far as I'm aware.

[SusieD]

Thanks for that Tony, a few things to bear in mind there.

I also read (cant remember source) that said you shouldnt take a fish oil that didnt contain an antioxidant such as vit E. Protects the oil from going rancid (lovely!!)

Sometimes we consign things to the bin too easily I guess.

[Tony Barnes]

I'd be suprised if there were any fish oils around nowadays that don't contain vit E (either synthetic, or prefereably non-synthetic tocotrienols - funnily, tocopherols, normally considered the best vit E, aren't as good at stabilising oils) - such is the protection it offers. It would take a pretty stingy manufacturer to ommit it!!

Rancidity is a problem with fish and seed oils though, once rancid, they're pretty useless to the body, and infact usually harmful - yey!!