Does anyone take Omega-3?

[BurtWorm]

The nurse practitioner at my family doctor suggested I take it to raise my HDL (good cholesterol) count. I've been taking two a day for three or four days. I'm supposed to take four a day, according to the bottle. I could swear I feel more oily just on this dose. And fatter. Is this natural? Is it the Omega-3 or the humidity?

[demigoddess]

1. I take it and I haven't noticed any problems

try it for a while longer

[BurtWorm]

2. How many do you take a day?

And how long have you been taking it? Are you taking it because a doctor recommended it, to regulate your cholesterol?

[demigoddess]

3. yes, it was recommended,

I take 4 or 6 a day and it is for cholesterol.

[Systematic Chaos]

4. The recommended dose of omega-3 will not

make you feel any different, honest.

It's one of the best things you can take to help regulate your cholesterol. Oh, and by the way, one of the best antioxidants is coenzyme Q-10. But be forewarned it is a bit expensive.

[BurtWorm]

5. You're saying I should take four a day?

It's an illusion that I taste fish all day and feel oily from just two gelcaps?

[BeHereNow]

6. Yes!

You are experiencing a psycho-somatic reaction-
here is the reality-
the amount of fish oil in Omega 3 or 6 is not sufficient to warrant
your observational physical symptoms!
Your liver and other significant organs have LOOONG
absorbed the oils to your benefit, before they could reach your
skin or calorie intake- trust me on this, I have tqaken omega 3 and 6
for years...saved my life actually.
BHN

[whirlygigspin]

7. but you'll smell fishy!

(just kidding)

[BurtWorm]

9. Oh god!

That was one of my fears! I fed the cats right before running out the door this morning and I smelled cat food on my hands--or at least I hoped it was cat food and not fish oil seeping through my skin.

:tinfoilhat:

[BurtWorm]

8. I wasn't concerned at all about it until today.

In fact I was happy to be taking it, considering its reputation. I think I've gotten a little nervous because my doc also prescribed Tricor for my triglycerides, and after I picked up the Rx, I was reading about some pretty awful side effects (muscle and liver damage in rare cases) and all sorts of warnings to take it only if absolutely necessary. I have to talk to the docs about this, but it's especially not recommended if you're taking statins, and I am on Lipitor. So I've been in a paranoid mood about what's going into me.

Incidentally, my triglycerides used to be 770. They're supposed to be 150, or something like that. I'm now in the 220 range. But I'm not going to ask for advice about Tricor here.

[delhurgo]

10. I use to take it, but got tired of it and stopped.

I can tell you tho that you don't get very much from taking pills. At least thats what I remember from doing my research. You're much better off taking a tablespoon of oil that comes in a bottle. You get a much, much bigger bang for your buck. You can also put it in your food or in a shake. The best sources I found are Hemp Oil or better yet "Flax Seed Oil". You can buy it online, or at your local health food store. The last bottle I bought I got at the mall at Vitamin World. It came in about a 16 ounce bottle. Really, forget the pills; get it in a bottle.

[DemOverseas]

11. The *Codfather*

had this idea years ago. You should do some research to see how many things Omega3 benefits. I have been taking it for over 15 years. Good for the skin, shiny hair, relaxation...aside from the cholesterol and heart bennies. Ask your health worker about taking it continually. My physician told me to take a break on this once in awhile as it could block essential enzymes in your system. It is on the National registry of medicines in Italy. The local doctor has pescribed it for my husband's cholesterol issues.

[nuxvomica]

12. You might try Udo's Choice

It's a good blend of vegetable oils and has a nice flavor when it's fresh. Just take a tablespoon with each meal. You'll need to keep it refrigerated and never put it on hot food. A good non-fish source of omega-3.
Your reaction to the omega-3 pills may not be psychosomatic. Everybody reacts differently and the form you are taking could be a little rancid.