FISH OIL<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\nWhat is it?<\/h3>\n
Fish oil can be obtained from eating fish or by taking supplements. Fish that are especially rich in the beneficial oils known as omega-3 fatty acids include mackerel, tuna, salmon, sturgeon, mullet, bluefish, anchovy, sardines, herring, trout, and menhaden. They provide about 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids in about 3.5 ounces of fish.<\/p>\n
Fish oil supplements are usually made from mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, salmon, cod liver, whale blubber, or seal blubber. Fish oil supplements often contain small amounts of vitamin E to prevent spoilage. They might also be combined with calcium, iron, or vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, or D.<\/p>\n
Fish oil is used for a wide range of conditions. It is most often used for conditions related to the heart and blood system. Some people use fish oil to lower blood pressure or triglyceride levels (fats related to cholesterol). Fish oil has also been tried for preventing heart disease or stroke. The scientific evidence suggests that fish oil really does lower high triglycerides, and it also seems to help prevent heart disease and stroke when taken in the recommended amounts. Ironically, taking too much fish oil can actually increase the risk of stroke.<\/p>\n
Fish may have earned its reputation as \u201cbrain food\u201d because some people eat fish to help with depression, psychosis, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and other thinking disorders.
\nSome people use fish oil for dry eyes, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a very common condition in older people that can lead to serious sight problems.<\/p>\n
Women sometimes take fish oil to prevent painful periods; breast pain; and complications associated with pregnancy such as miscarriage, high blood pressure late in pregnancy, and early delivery.<\/p>\n
Fish oil is also used for diabetes, asthma, developmental coordination disorders, movement disorders, dyslexia, obesity, kidney disease, weak bones (osteoporosis), certain diseases related to pain and swelling such as psoriasis, and preventing weight loss caused by some cancer drugs.<\/p>\n
Fish oil is sometimes used after heart transplant surgery to prevent high blood pressure and kidney damage that can be caused by the surgery itself or by drugs used to reduce the chances that the body will reject the new heart. Fish oil is sometimes used after coronary artery bypass surgery. It seems to help keep the blood vessel that has been rerouted from closing up.<\/p>\n
When fish oil is obtained by eating fish, the way the fish is prepared seems to make a difference. Eating broiled or baked fish appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, but eating fried fish or fish sandwiches not only cancels out the benefits of fish oil, but may actually increase heart disease risk.
\nTwo of the most important omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). See separate listings for EPA and DHA.<\/p>\n
Is it Effective?<\/h3>\n
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database<\/em> rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate<\/em>.
\nThe effectiveness ratings for FISH OIL<\/strong> are as follows:<\/p>\nEffective for…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- High triglycerides<\/strong>. High triglycerides are associated with heart disease and untreated diabetes. To reduce the risk of heart disease, doctors believe it is important to keep triglycerides below a certain level. Doctors usually recommend increasing physical activity and restricting dietary fat to lower triglycerides. Sometimes they also prescribe drugs such as gemfibrozil (Lopid) for use in addition to these lifestyle changes. Now researchers believe that fish oil, though not as effective as gemfibrozil, can reduce triglyceride levels by 20% to 50%. One particular fish oil supplement called Lovaza has been approved by the FDA to lower triglycerides. Lovaza contains 465 milligrams of EP and 375 milligrams of DHA in 1-gram capsules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Likely Effective for…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Heart disease<\/strong>. Fish oil may be effective in keeping people with healthy hearts free of heart disease. People who already have heart disease may be able to lower their risk of dying from heart disease by taking fish oil. Though not all researchers agree, some investigators believe that fish oil may be even more effective in reducing death from heart attacks than a group of commonly used cholesterol-lowering drugs called \u201cstatins.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Possibly Effective for…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- High blood pressure<\/strong>. Fish oil seems to produce modest reductions in blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil seem to be able to expand blood vessels, and this brings blood pressure down.<\/li>\n
- Rheumatoid arthritis<\/strong>. Fish oil alone, or in combination with the drug naproxen (Naprosyn), seems to help people with rheumatoid arthritis get over morning stiffness faster. People who take fish oil can sometimes reduce their use of pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).<\/li>\n
- Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)<\/strong>. Taking fish oil alone or in combination with vitamin B12 seems to improve painful periods and reduce the need for pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).<\/li>\n
- Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children<\/strong>. Taking fish oil seems to improve thinking skills and behavior in 8 to 12 year-old children with ADHD.<\/li>\n
- Raynaud\u2019s syndrome<\/strong>. There\u2019s some evidence that taking fish oil can improve cold tolerance in some people with the usual form of Raynaud\u2019s syndrome. But people with Raynaud\u2019s syndrome caused by a condition called progressive systemic sclerosis don\u2019t seem to benefit from fish oil supplements.<\/li>\n
- Stroke<\/strong>. Moderate fish consumption (once or twice a week) seems to lower the risk of having a stroke by as much as 27%. However, eating fish doesn\u2019t lower stroke risk in people who are already taking aspirin for prevention. On the other hand, very high fish consumption (more than 46 grams of fish per day) seems to increase stroke risk, perhaps even double it.<\/li>\n
- Weak bones (osteoporosis)<\/strong>. Taking fish oil alone or in combination with calcium and evening primrose oil seems to slow bone loss rate and increase bone density at the thigh bone (femur) and spine in elderly people with osteoporosis.<\/li>\n
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)<\/strong>. Fish oil seems to slow or slightly reverse the progress of atherosclerosis in the arteries serving the heart (coronary arteries), but not in the arteries that bring blood up the neck to the head (carotid arteries).<\/li>\n
- Kidney problems<\/strong>. Long-term use (two years) of fish oil 4-8 grams daily can slow the loss of kidney function in high-risk patients with a kidney disease called IgA nephropathy. Fish oil also seems to reduce the amount of protein in the urine of people who have kidney disease as a result of diabetes.<\/li>\n
- Bipolar disorder<\/strong>. Taking fish oil with the usual treatments for bipolar disorder seems to improve symptoms of depression and increase the length of time between episodes of depression. But fish oil doesn\u2019t seem to improve manic symptoms in people with bipolar disorder.<\/li>\n
- Psychosis<\/strong>. Taking a fish oil supplement might help prevent full psychotic illness from developing in people with mild symptoms. This has only been tested in teenagers and adults up to age 25.<\/li>\n
- Weight loss<\/strong>. Some evidence shows that eating fish improves weight loss and decreases blood sugar in overweight people and people with high blood pressure. Preliminary research also shows that taking a specific fish oil supplement 6 grams daily (Hi-DHA, NuMega), providing 260 mg DHA\/gram and 60 mg EPA\/gram, significantly decreases body fat when combined with exercise.<\/li>\n
- Endometrial cancer<\/strong>. There is some evidence that women who regularly eat about two servings of fatty fish per week have a reduced risk of developing endometrial cancer.<\/li>\n
- Age-related eye disease (age-related macular degeneration, AMD)<\/strong>. There is some evidence that people who eat fish more than once per week have a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.<\/li>\n
- Reducing the risk of blood vessel re-blockage after heart bypass surgery or \u201cballoon\u201d catheterization (balloon angioplasty)<\/strong>. Fish oil appears to decrease the rate of re-blockage up to 26% when given for one month before the procedure and continued for one month thereafter. Apparently, taking fish oil before surgery is important. When taken for less than one month before angioplasty, fish oil doesn\u2019t help protect the blood vessel against closing down.<\/li>\n
- Recurrent miscarriage in pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome<\/strong>. Taking fish oil seems to prevent miscarriage and increase live birth rate in pregnant women with a condition called antiphospholipid syndrome.<\/li>\n
- High blood pressure and kidney problems after heart transplant<\/strong>. Taking fish oil seems to preserve kidney function and reduce the long-term continuous rise in blood pressure after heart transplantation.<\/li>\n
- Damage to the kidneys and high blood pressure caused by taking a drug called cyclosporine<\/strong>. Cyclosporine is a medication that reduces the chance of organ rejection after an organ transplant. Fish oil might help reduce some of the unwanted side effects of treatment with this drug.<\/li>\n
- Movement disorder in children (dyspraxia)<\/strong>. Taking fish oil orally, in combination with evening primrose oil, thyme oil, and vitamin E (Efalex, Efamol Ltd), seems to improve movement disorders in children with dyspraxia.<\/li>\n
- Developmental coordination disorder<\/strong>. A combination of fish oil (80%) and evening primrose oil (20%) seems to improve reading, spelling, and behavior when given to children age 5-12 years with developmental coordination disorder. However, it doesn\u2019t seem to improve motor skills.<\/li>\n
- Preventing blockage of grafts used in kidney dialysis<\/strong>. Taking fish oil orally seems to help prevent clot formation in hemodialysis grafts.<\/li>\n
- Psoriasis<\/strong>. There is some evidence that administering fish oil intravenously (by IV) can decrease severe psoriasis symptoms. But taking fish oil by mouth doesn\u2019t seem to have any effect on psoriasis.<\/li>\n
- High cholesterol<\/strong>. There is interest in using fish oil in combination with \u201cstatin\u201d drugs for some people with high cholesterol. Doctors were worried at first that taking fish oil might interfere with statin treatment, but early studies show this is not a problem, at least with the statin called simvastatin. Scientists think fish oil may lower cholesterol by keeping it from being absorbed in the intestine. There is some evidence that using vitamin B12 along with fish oil might boost their ability to lower cholesterol.<\/li>\n
- Coronary artery bypass surgery<\/strong>. Taking fish oil seems to prevent coronary artery bypass grafts from re-closing following coronary artery bypass surgery.<\/li>\n
- Cancer-related weight loss<\/strong>. Taking a high dose (7.5 grams per day) of fish oil seems to slow weight loss in some cancer patients. Some researchers believe these patients eat more because the fish oil is fighting depression and improving their mood.<\/li>\n
- Asthma<\/strong>. Some research suggests fish oil may lower the occurrence of asthma in infants and children when taken by women late in pregnancy. Furthermore, fish oil seems to improve airflow, reduce cough, and lower the need for medications in some children with asthma. However, fish oil treatment doesn\u2019t seem to provide the same benefit for adults.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Possibly Ineffective for…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Gum infection (gingivitis)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Liver disease<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Leg pain due to blood flow problems (claudication)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Preventing migraine headaches<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Preventing muscle soreness caused by physical exercise<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Breast pain<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Skin rashes caused by allergic reactions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Stomach ulcers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Likely Ineffective for…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Type 2 diabetes<\/strong>. Taking fish oil doesn\u2019t seem to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. However, fish oil can provide some other benefits for people with diabetes, such as lowering blood fats called triglycerides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Allergies<\/strong>. Some research suggests that mothers who take fish oil supplements during the late stages of pregnancy may lower the occurrence of allergies in their children.<\/li>\n
- Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/strong>. There is some preliminary evidence that fish oil may help prevent Alzheimer\u2018s disease. But it doesn\u2019t seem to help prevent a decline in thinking skills for most people who already have mild-to-moderate Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/li>\n
- Atopic dermatitis<\/strong>. Mothers who take fish oil supplements during pregnancy might reduce the occurrence and severity of atopic dermatitis in babies and children who are at risk for this condition. But fish oil doesn\u2019t seem to be effective for treating atopic dermatitis.<\/li>\n
- Atrial fibrillation<\/strong>. Research studies into the effects of fish oil on atrial fibrillation have produced conflicting results.<\/li>\n
- Depression<\/strong>. There is inconsistent information about the effect of taking fish oil on depression. Some research shows that taking fish oil along with an antidepressant might help improve symptoms. But other research shows that taking fish oil does not improve symptoms.<\/li>\n
- Dry eye syndrome<\/strong>. Some research links eating more fish with a lower risk of getting dry eye syndrome in women. Some preliminary clinical research also suggests that taking a specific product containing fish oil plus flaxseed oil (TheraTears Nutrition) might reduce symptoms of dry eye and increase tear production.<\/li>\n
- Cancer<\/strong>. Research studies into the effects of fish oil on cancer prevention have produced conflicting results.<\/li>\n
- Cataracts<\/strong>. There is some evidence that eating fish three times a week can modestly lower the risk of developing cataracts.<\/li>\n
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)<\/strong>. There is some conflicting evidence about the use of a product (Efamol Marine) that combines fish oil and evening primrose oil to reduce the symptoms CFS.<\/li>\n
- Chronic kidney disease<\/strong>. Preliminary evidence shows that fish oil might have benefit for some people with chronic kidney disease who are receiving dialysis treatments.<\/li>\n
- Thinking skills (cognitive function)<\/strong>. Research studies into the effects of fish oil on cognitive function have produced conflicting results.<\/li>\n
- Crohn\u2019s disease<\/strong>. Research studies into the effects of fish oil on Crohn\u2019s disease have produced conflicting results.<\/li>\n
- Prediabetes<\/strong>. Early studies suggest that fish oil may help prevent prediabetes from advancing to type 2 diabetes.<\/li>\n
- Infant development<\/strong>. There is some evidence that mothers who take 4 grams of fish oil daily during the last half of pregnancy may improve their baby\u2019s cognitive development by some measures, but not others. At age 2.5 years, these children seem to have better hand and eye coordination, but reasoning, social, motor, and speech skills are not significantly improved.<\/li>\n
- Ulcerative colitis<\/strong>. Research studies into the effects of fish oil on ulcerative colitis have produced conflicting results.<\/li>\n
- Pregnancy complications<\/strong>. There is some evidence that taking fish oil during the last ten weeks of pregnancy can help prevent premature delivery. However, fish oil doesn\u2019t seem to help prevent high blood pressure during pregnancy.<\/li>\n
- Prematurity<\/strong>. Baby formula that has been fortified with fatty acids from fish oil and borage seems to improve growth and the development of the nervous system in premature infants, especially boys.<\/li>\n
- Salicylate intolerance<\/strong>. Some limited research suggests that taking fish oil might improve symptoms of salicylate intolerance such as asthma attacks and itching.<\/li>\n
- Schizophrenia<\/strong>. There is one report of fish oil improving schizophrenia in a pregnant woman.<\/li>\n
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)<\/strong>. Research shows conflicting results. Some studies suggest that fish oil helps the symptoms of SLE, while others show no effect.<\/li>\n
- Irregular heartbeat affecting the ventricles (ventricular arrhythmias)<\/strong>. Research studies into the effect of fish oil on ventricular arrhythmias have produced conflicting results.<\/li>\n
- Improving night vision in children with a disorder called dyslexia<\/strong>. Children with dyslexia who take fish oil seem to be significantly better able to adapt to the dark.<\/li>\n
- Other conditions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
More evidence is needed to rate fish oil for these uses.<\/p>\n
How does it work?<\/h3>\n
A lot of the benefit of fish oil seems to come from the omega-3 fatty acids that it contains. Interestingly, the body does not produce its own omega-3 fatty acids. Nor can the body make omega-3 fatty acids from omega-6 fatty acids, which are common in the Western diet. A lot of research has been done on EPA and DHA, two types of omega-3 acids that are often included in fish oil supplements.
\nOmega-3 fatty acids reduce pain and swelling. This may explain why fish oil is likely effective for psoriasis and dry eyes. These fatty acids also prevent the blood from clotting easily. this might make fish oil helpful for some heart conditions.<\/p>\n
Are there safety concerns?<\/h3>\n
Fish oil is LIKELY SAFE<\/strong> for most people, including pregnant and breast-feeding women, when taken in low doses (3 grams or less per day).
\nFish oil can cause side effects including belching, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, loose stools, rash, and nosebleeds. Taking fish oil supplements with meals or freezing them can often decrease these side effects.
\nTaking high doses of fish oil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE<\/strong>. Taking more than 3 grams per day might keep blood from clotting and can increase the chance of bleeding.
\nHigh doses of fish oil might also reduce the immune system\u2019s activity, reducing the body\u2019s ability to fight infection. This is a special concern for people taking medications to reduce their immune system\u2019s activity (HIV\/AIDS patients, for example) and the elderly.
\nTaking fish oil supplements in larger amounts can increase levels of the \u201cbad\u201d LDL cholesterol in some people. You will need blood tests periodically to ensure LDL cholesterols do not become too high.
\nSome fish meats (especially shark, king mackerel, and farm-raised salmon) can be contaminated with mercury and other industrial and environmental chemicals, but fish oil supplements typically do not contain these contaminants.<\/p>\nSpecial Precautions & Warnings:<\/h3>\n
Liver disease<\/strong>: Fish oil might increase the risk of bleeding.
\nFish or seafood allergy<\/strong>: Some people who are allergic to seafood such as fish might also be allergic to fish oil supplements. There is no reliable information showing how likely people with seafood allergy are to have an allergic reaction to fish oil; however, until more is known advise patients allergic to seafood to avoid or use fish oil supplements cautiously.
\nBipolar disorder<\/strong>: Taking fish oil might increase some of the symptoms of this condition.
\nDepression<\/strong>: Taking fish oil might increase some of the symptoms of this condition.
\nDiabetes<\/strong>: There is some concern that taking high doses of fish oil might make the control of blood sugar more difficult.
\nHigh blood pressure<\/strong>: Fish oil can lower blood pressure and might cause blood pressure to drop too low in people who are being treated with blood pressure-lowering medications.
\nHIV\/AIDS and other conditions in which the immune system response is lowered<\/strong>: Higher doses of fish oil can lower the body\u2019s immune system response. This could be a problem for people whose immune system is already weak.
\nAn implanted defibrillator<\/strong> (a surgically placed device to prevent irregular heartbeat): Some, but not all, research suggests that fish oil might increase the risk of irregular heartbeat in patients with an implanted defibrillator. Stay on the safe side by avoiding fish oil supplements.
\nFamilial adenomatous polyposis<\/strong>: There is some concern that fish oil might further increase the risk of getting cancer in people with this condition.<\/p>\nAre there any interactions with medications?<\/p>\n
Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)<\/strong>
\nInteraction Rating = Moderate<\/strong> Be cautious with this combination.
\nTalk with your health provider.<\/p>\nThere is some evidence that birth control pills might interfere with the triglyceride-lowering effects of fish oil.
\nSome of these drugs include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1\/35, Ortho-Novum 7\/7\/7), and others.<\/p>\n
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)<\/strong>
\nInteraction Rating = Moderate<\/strong> Be cautious with this combination.
\nTalk with your health provider.<\/p>\nUsing fish oil with drugs that lower blood pressure can increase the effects of these drugs and may lower blood pressure too much.
\nSome medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.<\/p>\n
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant \/ Antiplatelet drugs)<\/strong>
\nInteraction Rating = Minor<\/strong> Be watchful with this combination.
\nTalk with your health provider.<\/p>\nUsing fish oil with medications that slow clotting may cause bleeding.
\nSome of these drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.<\/p>\n
Orlistat (Xenical, Alli)<\/strong>
\nInteraction Rating = Moderate<\/strong> Be cautious with this combination.
\nTalk with your health provider.<\/p>\nOrlistat (Xenical, Alli) might keep the beneficial fatty acids in fish oil from being absorbed by the body. Taking fish oil and orlistat (Xenical, Alli) at least 2 hours apart may keep this from happening.<\/p>\n
Are there any interactions with Herbs and Supplements?<\/h3>\n
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting<\/strong><\/p>\nHigh doses of fish oil seem to slow blood clotting. Taking fish oil with other herbs that slow clotting might cause bleeding in some people. These herbs include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, red clover, turmeric, willow, and others.<\/p>\n
Vitamin E<\/strong><\/p>\nFish oil can reduce vitamin E levels. Researchers aren’t sure whether fish oil keeps vitamin E from being absorbed from food or whether it causes the body to use up vitamin E faster than it should.<\/p>\n
Are there interactions with Foods?<\/p>\n
There are no known interactions with foods.<\/p>\n
What dose is used?<\/h3>\n
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
\nBY MOUTH:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- For high triglycerides: 1-4 grams\/day of fish oil.<\/li>\n
- For high blood pressure: Either 4 grams of fish oil or fish oil providing 2.04 grams of EPA and 1.4 grams of DHA per day.<\/li>\n
- For atrial fibrillation (one of the chambers of the heart doesn\u2019t empty properly and this increases the risk of blood clot formation leading to stroke): Eating tuna or baked or broiled fish providing omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) one or more times per week seems to reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients aged 65 or older compared to consuming fish once per month or less. But there is no benefit from eating fried fish or a fish sandwich.<\/li>\n
- For kidney problems related to using cyclosporine to prevent organ transplant rejection: 12 grams\/day containing 2.2 grams EPA and 1.4 grams DHA.<\/li>\n
- For reducing the overall risk of death and risk of sudden death in patients with coronary heart disease: Fish oil providing 0.3-6 grams of EPA with 0.6 to 3.7 grams of DHA.<\/li>\n
- For asthma in children: Fish oil providing 17-26.8 mg\/kg EPA and 7.3-11.5 mg\/kg DHA for reducing symptoms. Maternal ingestion of fish oil 4 grams daily, providing 32% EPA and 23% DHA with tocopherol, during late-phase pregnancy has been used for preventing the development of asthma in children.<\/li>\n
- For preventing childhood allergies: Maternal ingestion of fish oil 4 grams daily, providing 32% EPA and 23% DHA with tocopherol, during late-phase pregnancy.<\/li>\n
- For preventing childhood atopic dermatitis: Maternal ingestion of fish oil 4 grams daily, providing 32% EPA and 23% DHA with tocopherol, during late-phase pregnancy.<\/li>\n
- For treating asthma: 17-26.8 mg\/kg EPA and 7.3-11.5 mg\/kg DHA.<\/li>\n
- For preventing and reversing the progression of hardening of the arteries: 6 grams\/day of fish oil for the first three months, followed by 3 grams\/day thereafter.<\/li>\n
- For rheumatoid arthritis: Fish oil providing 3.8 grams\/day of EPA and 2 grams\/day DHA.<\/li>\n
- For attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A specific supplement containing fish oil 400 mg and evening primrose oil 100 mg (Eye Q, Novasel) six capsules daily.<\/li>\n
- For preventing miscarriage in women with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and a history of past miscarriage: 5.1 grams fish oil with a 1.5 EPA:DHA ratio.<\/li>\n
- For painful menstrual periods: A daily dose of EPA 1080 mg and DHA 720 mg.<\/li>\n
- For Raynaud\u2019s syndrome: A daily dose of 3.96 grams EPA and 2.64 grams DHA.<\/li>\n
- For weight loss: A daily serving of 2-7 ounces of fish containing approximately 3.65 grams omega-3 fatty acids (0.66 gram from EPA and 0.60 gram from DHA).<\/li>\n
- For slowing weight loss in patients with cancer: 7.5 grams\/day of fish oil providing EPA 4.7 grams and DHA 2.8 grams.<\/li>\n
- For improving movement disorders in children with poor coordination (dyspraxia): Fish oil providing DHA 480 mg combined with 35 mg arachidonic acid and 96 mg gamma-alpha linoleic acid from evening primrose oil, 24 mg thyme oil, and 80 mg vitamin E (Efalex).<\/li>\n
- For developmental coordination disorder in children: Fish oil providing EPA 558 mg and DHA 174 in 3 divided doses.<\/li>\n
- For depression along with conventional antidepressants: Fish oil 9.6 grams\/day.<\/li>\n
- To prevent full psychosis from developing in people with mild symptoms: Fish oil 1.2 grams\/day.<\/li>\n
- For keeping veins open after coronary bypass surgery: 4 grams\/day of fish oil containing EPA 2.04 grams and DHA 1.3 grams.<\/li>\n
- For preventing the collapse of arteries opened by \u201cballoon\u201d therapy (PTCA): 6 grams\/day of fish oil starting one month before PTCA and continuing one month after PTCA, followed by 3 grams of fish oil daily thereafter for six months.<\/li>\n
- For reducing and preventing the long-term continuous rise in blood pressure and to preserve kidney function after heart transplantation: 4 grams\/day of fish oil (46.5% EPA and 37.8% DHA).<\/li>\n
- For preventing clotting after placement of a tube for dialysis: 6 grams\/day of fish oil.<\/li>\n
- For preserving kidney function in patients with severe IgA nephropathy: 4-8 grams\/day of fish oil has been used.<\/li>\n
- For combined high triglycerides and high cholesterol: Fish oil providing EPA 1800-2160 mg and DHA 1200-1440 mg combined with garlic powder 900-1200 mg\/day has been used to lower total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and the ratios of total cholesterol to HDL, and LDL to HDL.<\/li>\n
- For salicylate intolerance: Fish oil 10 grams daily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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: 2 tabs contains EPA (650mg) and DHA (450mg). I would recommend 2-4 tabs per day. Make sure you read below for side effects or drug\/drug interactions. They also make this with Vitamin D and Coenzyme Q10.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0016P9Z9A&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=4hourlife00-20\")
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