Fish Oil Side Effects

Side effects are possible with fish oil and may include gastrointestinal problems, such as indigestion, nausea, and a fishy aftertaste. Although many side effects of fish oil are merely bothersome, some may be more serious. You should contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding, have blood in your stools, or have any changes in your vision or speech.

Fish Oil Capsules

Side Effects of Fish Oil: An Introduction

Even though they are "natural" products, fish oil supplements are not free of side effects. For most people, these side effects are simply bothersome. However, fish oil can sometimes cause serious side effects, especially when taken at higher dosages (which is often necessary in order to obtain the benefits of fish oil).

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with fish oil. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of fish oil side effects with you.)

Bothersome Fish Oil Side Effects

Many people may experience gastrointestinal-related side effects from fish oil, such as:

A fishy aftertaste
Bad breath
Heartburn or indigestion
Nausea
Diarrhea.

Some people find that keeping their fish oil supplement in the freezer helps to reduce many of the gastrointestinal-related side effects. As with other fish oil side effects, your risk of gastrointestinal problems increases with a higher fish oil dosage.

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