What are the side effects of EPA and DHA?
Answer
Fishy repeat and mild digestive discomfort, both reduced by taking it with food. The genuine caution is medication: anticoagulants, bleeding disorders and upcoming surgery.
Key takeaways
- What is commonly reported?
- Fishy repeat and mild digestive discomfort, both largely from taking it on an empty stomach or from oxidised oil.
- What is the genuine caution?
- Anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication, a bleeding disorder, or upcoming surgery, particularly at higher intakes.
- Is there an upper level?
- Supplemental intakes considerably above the 250mg claim threshold have been assessed without concern for healthy adults.
What is reported at ordinary intakes
Fishy repeat is the common one, usually from taking a softgel on an empty stomach or from oil that has oxidised with exposure to heat and light. Mild digestive discomfort appears at higher intakes.
Both are reduced by taking it with a meal and storing the tub in a cupboard rather than on a windowsill. Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil is a deodorised mini softgel providing 300mg of combined EPA and DHA at 17p a day, and one capsule means nothing to split.
The caution that matters
Omega 3 at higher intakes has effects on platelet function, which is the same area anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications work in. Anyone on either, anyone with a bleeding disorder, and anyone coming up to surgery should raise it with a GP or pharmacist before starting.
That caution rises with intake. At 250mg to 300mg a day it is a modest amount close to what a portion of oily fish supplies. At the one to three grams quoted in sports research it is a more substantial consideration.
The allergen and dietary points
Fish is a declared allergen, so anyone with a fish allergy should avoid a fish oil entirely. Shellfish allergy is a separate allergen and does not automatically rule out fish oil, though anyone uncertain should ask a pharmacist rather than guess.
Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil is fish oil in a bovine gelatin softgel, so it is unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans on two separate counts. The contents and the shell rule out different groups, which is why both lines need reading.
The full version
- Why does fish oil make you burp?The causes and what actually reduces it.
- Omega 3 and blood thinning medicationWho needs to check before starting.
The product
Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil
Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil is the 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA one at 17p a day. One mini softgel gives 300mg combined, clearing the 250mg threshold for the authorised heart claim.
- 300mg combined EPA and DHA per softgel
- Batch tested to ISO 17025 standards
- Deodorised mini softgel, one a day
- Bovine gelatin shell, not vegetarian
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Questions players ask
What are the side effects?
Fishy repeat and mild digestive discomfort, both reduced by taking it with food.
Who should check with a doctor?
Anyone on anticoagulants, with a bleeding disorder, or coming up to surgery.
Is it suitable for vegetarians?
No. The contents are fish oil and the shell is bovine gelatin.