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What are Salmon Oil Side Effects?

C. Mitchell
C. Mitchell

Fish oils are generally regarded as highly beneficial, but this does not mean that they are without risks in some circumstances. Salmon oil is derived from the essential fats of salmon, a cold water fish known to naturally contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The oil can be absorbed into the body either by eating salmon meat or by taking salmon oil dietary supplements. In moderate doses, it is considered generally safe for most people. In excess, however, it can cause trouble, and its side effects are more pronounced for people with certain medical problems, particularly blood conditions, heart irregularities, and diabetes.

Eating salmon directly only rarely causes side effects. Most of the time, the side effects are caused when someone uses nutritional supplements. In supplements, oil is extracted from the salmon’s fatty acids and packaged into capsules. The concentration of oil in any given capsule varies by manufacturer, but most of the time, the amount in one to two capsules is about what one would expect to find in a normal portion of salmon meat.

Upset stomach and brief nausea are side effects of salmon oil.
Upset stomach and brief nausea are side effects of salmon oil.

When a person experiences side effects from the oil, it is often because the oil is being consumed in isolation more than anything else. The most common salmon oil side effects are upset stomach and brief nausea, sometimes accompanied by flatulence. Eating crackers or a small meal when taking salmon oil capsules may help prevent this discomfort.

Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are known as “healthy fats,” but consuming them in large quantities can be harmful. In particular, omega-3s have been shown to cause irregular bleeding when consumed in high amounts. Salmon oil has high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, and taking large doses over time has been linked to internal bleeding and strokes.

Most government agencies leave nutritional supplements unregulated, which means that there are rarely recommend daily doses or set acceptable use levels for supplements like salmon oil. Most nutritional supplement manufacturers include recommended doses on their products, however, which should be followed to avoid excessive consumption. While there is plenty of international data supporting the benefits of consuming some fish or salmon oil every day, there is no evidence that a large quantity is better than a small one.

Eating crackers or a meal before taking salmon oil capsules is recommended to prevent an upset stomach.
Eating crackers or a meal before taking salmon oil capsules is recommended to prevent an upset stomach.

More uncommon side effects of salmon oil are seen in conjunction with other conditions. People who have pre-existing blood conditions should talk to a medical professional before beginning a regular regimen of fish oil to avoid inflamed veins or an increased risk of bleeding irregularities. There are also particular side effects often experienced by people with a history of heart trouble and those with diabetes. Some of the compounds in salmon oil have also been known to interact with some prescription medication, particularly cholesterol-lowering drugs and certain steroid treatments. A medical professional or pharmacist will be able to answer specific questions about drug-related salmon oil side effects.

Salmon.
Salmon.

Although uncommon in salmon oil, mercury poisoning is a rare but serious side effect of fish oil generally. Salmon does not have naturally high levels of mercury, but other fish — tuna and mackerel in particular — frequently do. Mercury can cause very serious health concerns when ingested in large doses. Salmon oils that are actually blends of many fish oils carry the most risk of mercury-related side effects.

Discussion Comments

strawCake

@Ted41 - I wouldn't be surprised if the government did eventually start regulating supplements a little bit more closely. As you said, supplements are really popular, and if people start having a lot of negative side effects, I think the government definitely will step in.

Ted41

I really wish the government would start regulating nutritional supplements (even wild Alaska salmon oil). I feel like if anything can have a side effect from being taken the wrong way, it should be regulated and have a warning label just like an over the counter drug.

Still, I doubt this will happen anytime soon. Nutritional supplements are really big business in this country and the people who run these companies would probably fight more regulation.

starrynight

@eidetic - Salmon fish oil doesn't seem like it could hurt you, so I bet a lot of people don't do their research before they start taking it. I personally think you should do your research before starting any kind of new supplement, even something that's natural. And if you're in any kind of doubt, call your doctor!

eidetic

I had no idea there were any fish oil side effects! I'm always hearing about how beneficial it is to take fish oil, so I've been thinking about starting to take some as a supplement. However, I wanted to do some research first before I started taking something new!

That said, I wonder how many people just start taking this stuff and don't do any research about it and about how much you're supposed to take? Because it seriously doesn't seem like there could be anything harmful about taking fish oil, but it sounds like in some cases, it can be harmful.

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    • Upset stomach and brief nausea are side effects of salmon oil.
      By: carla9
      Upset stomach and brief nausea are side effects of salmon oil.
    • Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
      By: dulsita
      Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
    • Eating crackers or a meal before taking salmon oil capsules is recommended to prevent an upset stomach.
      By: Leonid Nyshko
      Eating crackers or a meal before taking salmon oil capsules is recommended to prevent an upset stomach.
    • Salmon.
      By: andersphoto
      Salmon.
    • Soft gel capsules containing salmon oil can be purchased at many grocery and drug stores.
      By: maron
      Soft gel capsules containing salmon oil can be purchased at many grocery and drug stores.
    • Fish oil supplements, including those made of salmon oils, are rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, commonly called DHA.
      By: Stephen VanHorn
      Fish oil supplements, including those made of salmon oils, are rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, commonly called DHA.