do you take fish oil supplements?

pfal6

If so why? I am hearing good things but was curious as to what you ladies think.

GreenTea101108

I'm not a fan of fish, and I did my research for a vegetarian option. I take Flax Seed Oil supplements, then drink juice with Sprullina in it (it contains DHA which Flax lacks).

I started taking it for my anxiety at the suggestion of a counselor. She explained that taking Fish Oil or Flax will help your brain function better (your brain relies on healthy fats to function). Its also good for your heart.

So far, I am noticing a huge difference in my anxiety. Maybe its the placebo effect, but hey, if it works it works.

 

dineenb

I take fish oil and I really like the results. It really helps to keep my hair shiny and my skin (which can get quite dry) healthy. It is also supposed to be great for joint pain, inflammation, depression/anxiety, acne, high cholesterol, alzheimer?s disease, eye disorders, and low immunity. Flax also has many of these benefits. I just prefer fish oil because it helps to keep me "regular" which is a constant problem for me. Although I'm not sure if it works this way for everyone. My husband takes flax because fish oil keeps him a little too regular, but he has a VERY fussy stomach!

Nonny

I take it because it's supposed to help reduce inflammation and I have arthritis in my knee.  It's one of those things where I'm not convinced it helps, but from my research it isn't going to hurt me.

PinkFootball

I take it just because I don't like fish. They are HUGE pills though, not good for people like me who can't swallow anything.

jennyk213

I take it at my doctor's recommendation.  I'm vitamin D deficient and my body wasn't absorbing it very well.  He said taking vitamin D with an oily meal or an omega supplement helps your body absorb the vitamin D.  I don't eat oily meals too often so I figured the omega - with its other health benefits - is a better option.  It seems to be working as my D levels are finally going up.

I notice that I feel better overall and can think clearer now that I'm taking them (although maybe my increasing D levels have something to do with it as well).  I also noticed that my extremely painful cramps have been a little less painful.  Again, not sure if that's due to the fish oil or vitamin D or luck.

Another tip that my doctor told me: On the label, you'll find EPA and DHA.  EPA helps with everything below the neck so heart health, inflammation, etc.   DHA helps with everything above the neck - mood, brain functioning, etc.

ETA:  I even give it to my dog to help with arthritis.  

huddlstn

I started taking Nordic Naturals fish oil when I got pregnant, on the recommendation of my reproductive endocrinologist.  I rarely eat fish (I've had salmon a few times), and I need omega-3 for me and the baby.  The brand I take is a bit pricey, but every batch is tested and does not show any detected levels of heavy metals, dioxins, or PCBs.  It doesn't bother my stomach at all, so I've been really happy with it. 

RWBsGirl

I started taking the when I was prescribed a combo prenatal vitamin when I was pg with #1, with #2 I decided to save some money and just use OTC vitamins, but I felt guilty not taking fish oil, so I added that as well.

SuperGreen

Yup.  I take it in combo with my prenatal vitamin.  I buy the brand Just Once from WF.

papagena

I add flax to a lot of stuff, and while I'm pg or nursing take a plant-based DHA supplement.  I'm wary (mainly while pg, to be honest) of possible mercury in the fish oil.  That said, I believe that you can check for that between the various brands.

Lucyboo25

This may be a silly question, but does it taste like fish? Or have fish-y aftertaste?

dineenb

The ones I take are in a tasteless capsule. I have had some before that  tasted like olive oil.

jennyk213

I take Nordic Naturals gel caps.  The caps are lemon flavored but I don't even taste that because they're not in my mouth for long.

I couldn't swallow them at first so I tried the liquid version.  That stuff was sooo disgustingly fishy tasting that I quickly learned how to swallow the gel caps. 

meedy8

the recommendation of omega-6 to omega-3 should be ideally 2:1.

the ratio is approximately 16:1 for the American diet.

I take fish oil to improve my omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.

 

A review from PubMed for those interested in the science:

Several sources of information suggest that human beings evolved on a diet with a ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) of approximately 1 whereas in Western diets the ratio is 15/1-16.7/1. Western diets are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and have excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids compared with the diet on which human beings evolved and their genetic patterns were established. Excessive amounts of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and a very high omega-6/omega-3 ratio, as is found in today's Western diets, promote the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, whereas increased levels of omega-3 PUFA (a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio) exert suppressive effects. In the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, a ratio of 4/1 was associated with a 70% decrease in total mortality. A ratio of 2.5/1 reduced rectal cell proliferation in patients with colorectal cancer, whereas a ratio of 4/1 with the same amount of omega-3 PUFA had no effect. The lower omega-6/omega-3 ratio in women with breast cancer was associated with decreased risk. A ratio of 2-3/1 suppressed inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and a ratio of 5/1 had a beneficial effect on patients with asthma, whereas a ratio of 10/1 had adverse consequences. These studies indicate that the optimal ratio may vary with the disease under consideration. This is consistent with the fact that chronic diseases are multigenic and multifactorial. Therefore, it is quite possible that the therapeutic dose of omega-3 fatty acids will depend on the degree of severity of disease resulting from the genetic predisposition. A lower ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is more desirable in reducing the risk of many of the chronic diseases of high prevalence in Western societies, as well as in the developing countries, that are being exported to the rest of the world.

blue_elle

I take it for heart health. There's a lot of heart issues on my dad's side. I have pvc's, which in rare cases can lead to problems, so I figure anything I can do to keep my heart healthy is a good thing. I just had my cholesterol checked and my doctor was very impressed at my numbers.

I also like to think that I'm getting that anti-aging benefit "they" talk about, but who knows.

imabandgeek4eva

I've been taking Omega-3s by Nordic Naturals for a while now, but every day since I've been pregnant.  My doctor says it helps with the development of baby's brain, eyes, and nervous system.  Doc also says if the fish oil tastes fishy, then it has oxidized and is no longer fresh. Keep it in the fridge to keep it fresh!

Here is an article about how fish oil has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer:  http://articles.cnn.com/2010-07-07/health/fish.oil.lower.risk_1_fish-oil-breast-cancer-risk?_s=PM:HEALTH

Here's an article with some overall benefits: http://www.fishoilbenefit.net/