Fish Oil

Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.

Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh

User avatar
nancyl
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 780
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:42 pm
Location: Massachusetts

Fish Oil

Post by nancyl »

I looked around and did a search, but couldn't come up with anything on fish oil. I was wondering if anyone has a problem taking it. I was feeling some nausea and stopped taking it for about a week and looking back in my journal I did not have any nausea. I started taking it again two days ago and this morning the nausea was back. Not that bad, but it was still there. I am not sure if that is what is causing it or not, but it seems like it might be. I hadn't eaten anything different. I take Carlson brand, one in the morning and one at night with meals. I am going to stop taking them again just to see, but I was just curious. I did a Google search and it seems like a lot of people out there do have a problem with it. I know it's a pretty important supplement to take.

Nancy
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35070
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Nancy,

Check the ingredient list carefully. They don't list the specific inert ingredients on their website, which suggests that they might possibly change their ingredients frequently. They say that they use non-allergenic coatings, for example, but they mention that they may use zein, which is the primary protein in corn, and some of us are sensitive to corn. Also, some of us just don't handle fish oil very well. Too much of any oil can cause D, especially fish oil. Most of us can handle at least 1,000 to 1,200 mg, but twice that or more, may cause problems for some of us. If it can cause D, it can probably cause nausea, for some of us. :shrug:

They make a bunch of different kinds, so they surely have all sorts of ingredients in the various products. Sometimes, some things just don't fit well with our digestive system, for no apparent reason.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
User avatar
sarkin
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:44 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Post by sarkin »

Nancy,

I'm using a Carlson's product that's just liquid - no gel at all. It's lemon-flavored (wish they wouldn't even add flavoring, to tell you the truth). I put it in smoothies, and sometimes... I mash a banana up with my morning 'dose,' which is what I did today. It's not as weird as it sounds :grin: . I have also added it to my lunch in a couple of different ways.

I have heard of another liquid brand that is supposed to be good. I've emailed to see whether it's available unflavored... will let you know. Their variety comes in a vanilla flavor, and something else that's not citrus-y, so might be useful.

I think it's worth skipping the potentially risky ingredients in the capsule.

Hope this helps,
Sara
User avatar
sarkin
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:44 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Post by sarkin »

Nancy,

I meant to add - another thing I like about the plain oil, as compared to capsules, is that you can start with a very small dose. I started with 1/4 teaspoon, instead of the 1 teaspoon dose. I was able to increase it very gradually - but also, if I had started feeling queasy, it would have been a simple matter to step the amount back down.

I would have been willing to start with an eye dropper, if that's what it took - but the 1/4 teaspoon did the trick.

Hope you're feeling good,
Sara
User avatar
nancyl
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 780
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:42 pm
Location: Massachusetts

Post by nancyl »

Tex and Sara,
Thanks for looking that up for me Tex. I don't think corn is a problem for me, so it may just be the oil.
My daughter takes the liquid Carlson's fish oil. I just looked it up and seems like the teasp. dose has almost the same dose as two capsules and may be safer to take. I think I will stay away from it for a week to see if it makes a difference then perhaps try the liquid in a very small amount like Sara suggested. I can't think of anything else that I have eaten that would have caused it. I do put flax seed oil in my smoothie and that seems to be OK. I feel OK now, forced myself to go to the gym, had pancakes this morning and just finished a Lara bar. I just hate that nauseous feeling.

Nancy
User avatar
sarkin
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:44 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Post by sarkin »

Nancy,

It could be soy. The Carlson web site says that the filler in the softgel caps may be soybean or safflower oil... The other brand is this one - http://www.strongerfasterhealthier.com/ ... omega-3oil - haven't tried it yet. It was recommended by one of those hard-core Paleo types of sites, and I know they did their homework to make sure it's free of dairy, gluten/any other grains, soy/legumes.

It has more EPA/DHA per teaspoon than Carlson, too. They have an unflavored version for pets, too... which I would actually prefer, if it's "human grade." I should stop pondering and order, before the Carlson's runs out on me.

Hope you're feeling good,
Sara
Rosie
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 738
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:38 pm
Location: Tucson, AZ

Post by Rosie »

Nancy, like you, I have a problem with fish oil but not flax seed oil. At first I thought that it was because I wasn't healed enough, but after 2 years I still can't tolerate it. I take double the flax oil instead with no problem, so it's not the oil, per se. I also can't handle canned tuna or salmon so I seem to be sensitive to some fish. The the fish oil and tuna I used were totally free of any allergens like soy. The tuna was a local product and had no broth, just water and salt.

Rosie
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time………Thomas Edison
User avatar
Gabes-Apg
Emperor Penguin
Emperor Penguin
Posts: 8332
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia

Post by Gabes-Apg »

Sara and Nancy
i did extensive research regarding gel caps /vege caps / any glycerine capsule

they are very high risk for gluten and/or soy

one of my dear friends, who is my naturopath, works in the supplement industry and via direct contact with some of the suppliers of these caps they could not confirm or deny the presence of gluten and or soy as they dont test or check their ingredients that make the caps. in her discussions with them it was thought that soy was a 'high probability' as it is a cheap ingredient.

mindful that most supplements, (like generic drugs) are made in a factory somewhere where labour is cheap, and the vitamin companies bulk buy the products to package in their packaging. THe same factory could be making products for 10 different supplement companies.

the regulations regarding labelling and providing concise ingredient listing only cover the content of the tablet/capsule hence why so many products the labels say 'no added gluten, dairy or soy' as they can not guarantee 100% that the product is 'free from any gluten, dairy or soy'

If you are reactive to soy, avoid any medication or supplement that has a coating
Gabes Ryan

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
User avatar
sarkin
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:44 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Post by sarkin »

Rosie,

That's interesting - and good to know. At the moment, I can't tolerate flax oil - maybe because it's particularly high in lignans. (Or it could be that the seeds of all plants are out to get me.)

It seems like you have plenty of evidence plus 2 years of mileage, that there's something about fish itself. I have tolerated super-fresh local fish well, and had mixed results with canned tuna/salmon. I think I need more months of healing to know for sure.

I love your quote.

Gabes, I didn't test reactive for soy, but suspect I am (MRT will tell). I am avoiding all products that say "no added gluten/soy" in favors that those that claim to be "free of" - and whatever is in those gels/capsules, it's not the ingredient I'm trying to use as a supplement, so if I can get a product without (like those liquids), I choose that. Hope you're doing well,

Sara

Sara
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35070
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

As far as I am aware, (at least, I don't believe this has been changed lately), in the U. S., there are no regulations that require the manufacturers of pharmaceutical products to list anything on the label, other than the active ingredients. Many/most pharmaceutical companies do list most of the inert ingredients, (including the capsule, in many cases), but when they do so, they are strictly volunteering that information - there is no law that requires them to do so, and there is no prescribed penalty if they choose to volunteer that information, and they happen to get it wrong. This applies to all pharmaceutical products, including prescription drugs.

Pharmaceuticals were specifically exempted from the 2004 food labeling law, regarding allergen labeling, (which went into effect on January 1, 2006, and they are exempt from the other food labeling laws, thanks to the all-encompassing wisdom of our legislators, and their trust in the guidelines recommended by the pharmaceutical industry's indispensable advocate, the FDA. :roll:

I would assume that what is listed on most pharmaceutical labels is probably correct, but if it isn't, we don't have any recourse, unless the active ingredients are misrepresented. Yep, the pharmaceutical industry has a cozy relationship with the FDA, and Congress. :sigh:

Also, remember that:
Raw agricultural commodities (including fresh fruits and vegetables) are exempt, as well as highly refined oils (or ingredients derived from them) made from one of the eight foods or food groups identified in the law.
That last little gem is probably why so many of us react to so many so-called "safe" vegetable oils.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/facts/nutri ... tsheet.pdf

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
User avatar
nancyl
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 780
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:42 pm
Location: Massachusetts

Post by nancyl »

Thank you all for so much good information. With this group you just never know how much you are going to learn when you send out a simple request for help. What an amazing group of people. :smile:

Nancy
User avatar
Gabes-Apg
Emperor Penguin
Emperor Penguin
Posts: 8332
Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia

Post by Gabes-Apg »

Tex
right on the point... (as usual)

it is the same in Australia they only have to declare the 'active' ingredients so the ingredients of any coatings, capsules does not have to be declared, my friend was a bit gobsmacked that no one could give her the ingredient list for the gel caps/vege caps.
In Oz, Supplements come under the same labelling laws as foods, regarding any products claiming 'gluten free' 'dairy free'
but it still does not apply to the non-active ingredients

I favour supplements that are liquid or powder, or tablets that can be cut up into small pieces so i can introduce them into my body gradually

on a side note quite a few restaurants say that their meals were 'low gluten' or 'gluten friendly' as they didnt meet the requirements to claim 'gluten free'

Sara, i am ok, having lots of niggling symptoms that make getting through the work day quite tiring. If i dont keep up with the Vit D then my nights are interupted with reflux vomitting.
I will be doing the bowel prep this weekend for the upper and lower scopes on monday.
Gabes Ryan

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
User avatar
sarkin
Rockhopper Penguin
Rockhopper Penguin
Posts: 2313
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:44 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY

Post by sarkin »

Gabes, I hope the tests go easily and give you useful info. I'm right with you on the gradual introduction.

I have days where bending over makes me queasy (no yoga head-stands for me), but it's not clear to me yet which foods - or if there's something else going on. I'm sure you've tried all the easy stuff (sleeping on the left side, elevating the head of the bed... etc.)

I'll be thinking of you on Monday (well... our Sunday night!).

All my best,
Sara
User avatar
tex
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 35070
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 9:00 am
Location: Central Texas

Post by tex »

Gabes wrote:on a side note quite a few restaurants say that their meals were 'low gluten' or 'gluten friendly' as they didnt meet the requirements to claim 'gluten free'
I have a hunch that if they were completely honest, quite a few of the restaurants over here, with GF items on the menu would have to classify their offerings as "low gluten", also, especially the pizza and fast food joints. :lol:

I hope the prepping on the weekend, and all that scoping on Monday, goes well. :xfingers:

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
User avatar
Gloria
King Penguin
King Penguin
Posts: 4767
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 8:19 am
Location: Illinois

Post by Gloria »

Gabes,

Good luck with the preparation and scope. I hope all goes well and you get a positive report.

Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Post Reply

Return to “Main Message Board”