Your doctor may have suggested that you eat nonfried salmon or other fatty fish at least twice a week. The reason for this recommendation is that some fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These are healthy fats that have been promoted for a variety of heart, brain, and other health benefits.
Your body can't make omega-3 fatty acids. So you need to get them from your diet. The ideal sources are from foods like:
- Fatty fish such as anchovies, salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, trout, and tuna (bluefin and albacore),
- Flaxseeds
- Nuts, especially walnuts
Even though food should be your main source of omega-3 fatty acids, most Americans don't get enough of this nutrient from diet alone.
If that's the case with you, your first step should be to eat more fish and other omega-3 foods. Besides providing omega-3s, these foods have other health benefits, including:
- Proteins
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Types of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
There are three main types of omega-3 fatty acids:
EPA. This type of omega-3 is found primarily in:
- Fish
- Fortified foods, such as some brands of eggs and orange juice
- Fish oil supplements you can buy without a prescription
- Prescription fish oil
EPA helps lessen inflammation in the body.
DHA. This type is found in:
- Fish
- Fortified foods, such as some brands of eggs and orange juice
- Fish oil supplements you can buy without a prescription
- Prescription fish oil
- Algae supplements
DHA is essential for brain health and function.
ALA. This is contained in walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds. It's also found in vegetable oils such as:
- Canola oil
- Soybean oil
- Flaxseed oil
The body converts ALA to its more active forms -- EPA and DHA -- but only in small amounts.
Nonprescription Omega-3s and Your Health
When it comes to preventing or treating disease, many studies have not found much benefit in taking low daily doses of omega-3 supplements. Only prescription-strength omega-3 has been found to have health benefits.
Prescription Omega-3s and Your Health
Prescription fish oil capsules contain a higher dose of omega-3 fatty acids than nonprescription versions. They are also monitored by the FDA for quality and safety.
Your blood lipids include good cholesterol (HDL), bad cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides. Your doctor will probably only recommend prescription-strength fish oil if your triglycerides are very high (more than 500 mg/dL). There is some evidence that prescription omega-3s can raise your HDL as well. But it might also raise your LDL, or “bad cholesterol.” There are a number of factors to consider, which is why only your doctor can tell you if you’re a good candidate for these supplements.
Research suggests very high triglyceride levels are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. However, more research is needed to determine if prescription omega-3s lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Very high triglycerides are also linked to pancreatitis.
These are some of the prescription-strength omega-3 fatty acids that are available:
Side Effects of Nonprescription Omega-3s
The FDA doesn't regulate supplements as closely as prescriptions. So the amount of omega-3s listed on the label may be higher than what you actually get. In addition, supplements may not be pure omega-3s and may contain other ingredients or contaminants.
Nonprescription omega-3 fatty acid supplements may cause mild side effects, such as:
- Fishy burps or taste in the mouth
- Upset stomach
Talk to your doctor before taking omega-3 supplements if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Take blood-thinning medicines
- Have an allergy to fish or shellfish
Side Effects of Prescription Omega-3s
Common side effects of prescription omega-3s vary according to the type of prescription.
Side effects of Epanova may include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
Side effects of Lovaza and Omtryg may include:
- Burping
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Upset stomach
Joint pain may be a side effect of Vascepa.
Prescription omega-3 fatty acids or high doses of omega-3 supplements may also affect the blood's ability to clot. People who take blood-thinning medications should be aware of this precaution if they also take omega-3s. Talk to your doctor if you take blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin (Coumadin), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin).
Omega-3 fatty acids lower high triglyceride levels, but brands that contain DHA may raise levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol. This could be a problem if you also have high cholesterol, which often goes hand-in-hand with high triglycerides.
