Photo: Erik Mclean

Does fish oil lower blood pressure?

Multiple studies report modest reductions in blood pressure in people who take fish oil supplements. There's some evidence that the beneficial effects of fish oil might be greater for people with moderate to severe high blood pressure than for those with mild blood pressure elevation.

mayoclinic.org - Fish oil - Mayo Clinic

Is it normal to have to push to pee?

A healthy bladder works best if the body just relaxes so that the bladder muscles naturally contract to let the urine flow, rather than using the...

Last updated Aug 7, 2021

What can I drink to break blood clots?

Moderate amounts of red wine or purple grape juice daily helps keep blood platelets from sticking together and forming clots, thanks to powerful...

Last updated Jun 26, 2020

Promotion

Overview

Fish oil is a dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids. Your body needs omega-3 fatty acids for many functions, from muscle activity to cell growth. Omega-3 fatty acids are derived from food. They can't be manufactured in the body. Fish oil contains two omega-3s called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Dietary sources of DHA and EPA are fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel and trout, and shellfish, such as mussels, oysters and crabs. Some nuts, seeds and vegetable oils contain another omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Fish oil supplements come in liquid, capsule and pill form.

People take fish oil for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Evidence

Research on the use of fish oil for specific conditions shows:

Heart disease. While research shows that people who eat dietary sources of fish oil at least twice a week have a lower risk of dying of heart disease, taking fish oil supplements seems to have little to no benefits to heart health. While research shows that people who eat dietary sources of fish oil at least twice a week have a lower risk of dying of heart disease, taking fish oil supplements seems to have little to no benefits to heart health. High blood pressure. Multiple studies report modest reductions in blood pressure in people who take fish oil supplements. There's some evidence that the beneficial effects of fish oil might be greater for people with moderate to severe high blood pressure than for those with mild blood pressure elevation. Multiple studies report modest reductions in blood pressure in people who take fish oil supplements. There's some evidence that the beneficial effects of fish oil might be greater for people with moderate to severe high blood pressure than for those with mild blood pressure elevation. High triglycerides and cholesterol. There's strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels. There also appears to be a slight improvement in high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol, although an increase in levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol also was observed. There's strong evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels. There also appears to be a slight improvement in high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol, although an increase in levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol also was observed. Rheumatoid arthritis. Studies suggest fish oil supplements might help reduce pain, improve morning stiffness and relieve joint tenderness in people with rheumatoid arthritis. While relief is often modest, it might be enough to reduce the need for anti-inflammatory medications.

Why do wives take their husband's last name?

The tradition of women changing their last names to match their husbands' has its origins in the property transfer that took place upon marriage,...

Last updated Jun 22, 2022

What is the most common false positive drug test?

According to one study, false positive drug tests are most commonly reported for amphetamine and methamphetamine. That's because common over-the-...

Last updated Dec 25, 2021

Promotion

Our take

Generally safe

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good health. Try to get them from your diet by eating fish — broiled or baked, not fried. Fish oil supplements might be helpful if you have high triglycerides or rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil appears to contain almost no mercury, which can be a cause for concern in certain types of fish. While generally safe, getting too much fish oil can increase your risk of bleeding and might affect your immune response. It's not clear whether fish oil is safe for people who are allergic to seafood. Take fish oil supplements under a doctor's supervision.

Safety and side effects

When taken as recommended, fish oil supplements are generally considered safe.

However, fish oil supplements can cause mild side effects, including:

A fishy aftertaste

Bad breath

Heartburn, nausea or diarrhea

Rash

Taking high doses of fish oil supplements might increase the risk of bleeding and possibly increase the risk of stroke.

Interactions

Possible interactions include:

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, herbs and supplements. These types of drugs, herbs and supplements reduce blood clotting. It's possible that taking fish oil supplements with them might increase the risk of bleeding. These types of drugs, herbs and supplements reduce blood clotting. It's possible that taking fish oil supplements with them might increase the risk of bleeding. Blood pressure drugs, herbs and supplements. Taking fish oil supplements might slightly lower blood pressure. Taking these supplements with blood pressure drugs might increase the effects on blood pressure. Taking fish oil supplements might slightly lower blood pressure. Taking these supplements with blood pressure drugs might increase the effects on blood pressure. Contraceptive drugs. Some contraceptive drugs might interfere with the effect fish oil typically has on triglycerides.

What is the alternative for diapers?

The best alternatives to disposable diapers are elimination communication and cloth diapers. Both support moving away from disposable diapers,...

Last updated Nov 17, 2019

Can you drive a car after prostate surgery?

You can return home by car from the hospital after discharge if your drive is within two hours, but you should not drive for two weeks after the...

Last updated Oct 10, 2021

Promotion

Some contraceptive drugs might interfere with the effect fish oil typically has on triglycerides. Orlistat (Xenical, Alli). Taking fish oil with this weight-loss drug might decrease absorption of fish oil fatty acids. Consider taking the supplement and drug two hours apart. Taking fish oil with this weight-loss drug might decrease absorption of fish oil fatty acids. Consider taking the supplement and drug two hours apart. Vitamin E. Taking fish oil can reduce vitamin E levels. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

mayoclinic.org - Fish oil - Mayo Clinic

What vitamin produces more sperm?

Some types of vitamins, including vitamins D, C, E, and CoQ10, are important for sperm health. One study showed that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C...

Last updated Apr 17, 2019

How do you know if prostate cancer is aggressive?

Determining whether prostate cancer is aggressive A doctor in a lab examines a sample of your cancer cells to determine how much cancer cells...

Last updated Jul 14, 2018

Promotion

What not to tolerate in a marriage?

10 things women should never tolerate in a marriage Being talked down to. ... Being held back. ... Being kept from your friends. ......

Last updated Nov 14, 2019

Promotion

Will apple cider vinegar lower my blood pressure quickly?

In essence, yes, it does, but only if it's taken correctly and only for certain types of hypertension. The key in using apple cider vinegar is in...

Last updated Jan 21, 2021