Too much fish oil?

[Jvasqu01]

So I've read the ISWF book, the fish oil FAQ on the whole30 website and read other articles on the web. I'm a healthy male now eating grass fed animals and all the veggies I can. The whole30 recommends 2-4 grams of EPA AND DHA. Just wondering what's a good way of determining if you need to supplement with fish oils or if taking the 2-4 grams may cause bleeding issues? Blood testing? I don't like taking any pills or supplements so the anti inflammatory properties sound great but don't want to tip the scale too much. I don't have a bleeding problem but wouldn't want to start now. Thx. Also my first post.

[Jvasqu01]

Bump

[praxisproject]

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get a test on your Omega 3 / Omega 6 ratio (very hard to get in Australia).

 

Do you eat any fish?

 

Chris Kresser has an interesting article on excessive use of fish oil

http://chriskresser.com/when-it-comes-to-fish-oil-more-is-not-better

 

The Mayo Clinic has a number of warnings on very high doses, to do with existing health conditions (eg. bleeding disorders, liver disease) http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil-alpha-linolenic-acid/safety/hrb-20059372

 

The only reference I can find specific to bleeding seems to mention mixture with medications such as slow-clotters & certain supplements, but it seems to be fairly vague with "may". This seems to be an assumption, rather than specific evidence of bleeding.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/993.html

[mtnerak]

I think it all goes back to looking at your own risk/benefit ratios.  If you eat fish several times per week, and don't over indulge in too many nuts and seeds that should help in your decision making process. 

 

Also depending on if you are a male or not this article may also be of interest to you.

https://www.fhcrc.org/en/news/releases/2013/07/omega-three-fatty-acids-risk-prostate-cancer.html

 

I do take a smaller low dose of fish oil and have tried to quit a couple of times but it does seem to help my migraines, but I don't notice an increased benefit at the recommended or higher doses.  Maybe I should switch to the fermented cod liver oil though.  I've never tried that.