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Are fish oils good for you if you have AF

DevonHubby1 profile image
13 Replies

Back in May a number of journals and national papers reported on a study that indicated that regular use of fish oil supplements may cause increase risks for those with no underlying heart issues. The following link is one of those articles medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

My question is what about those who already have AF. Should they regularly use fish oil supplements? My wife (with persistent AF controlled via medication) takes these daily and has done for many years.

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DevonHubby1
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13 Replies
Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

I was always under the impression it was a bit iffy to take fish oils as a supplement if being anticoagulated. It is very frustrating that many supplements advocated for heart health seem to be contra indicated when on anticoagulants. Did find this on an Australian site though "If the dose of fish oil is <3 g daily, combinations of fish oil and warfarin or antiplatelet medication (eg aspirin or clopidogrel) are considered safe"

Of course the likelihood of any meaningful research on other interactions is very slim. Particularly annoying for me is the lack of info on CBD oil.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156

I have always avoided fish oils as a while back, I also read a study that they can increase risks for those with no heart issues. I may have been over cautious , but with AF, I didn’t want to risk it.

VRR46 profile image
VRR46

I was diagnosed with AF circa two years ago.

Have taken cold liver oil supplements without any ill effects at all.

Course being informed is important, but easy to be saturated with conflicting advice and “evidence”.

paolina profile image
paolina in reply toVRR46

I stopped taking cod liver oil capsules after reading an article only to find that my knees (the main reason I was taking them) felt heavy so concluded that at least they were good for my knees which made walking pleasurable!

Soulvegan profile image
Soulvegan in reply topaolina

I'm sorry, are you implying that taking cod liver oil was good for your knees, or just the opposite? It's early, maybe I'm just not comprehending well enough just yet. Thanks.

paolina profile image
paolina in reply toSoulvegan

I take Cod liver oil for joint care, mainly my knees. I stopped taking it after reading about supplements & AF etc, only to realise that it had in fact been doing some good so I am now taking it again. I also read not to take it while on Warfarin, I have high blood pressure and the cod liver oil hasn't made any difference to it. As VRR 46 said being informed is good but sometimes there is too much "evidence".

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

Fish oil in its natural state is recommended sea salmon, sardines, tuna but it is the SUPPLEMENTS with the caution as too much can't be eliminated.

Olive Oil great for you.

cherio jOY. 75. (NZ)

beach_bum profile image
beach_bum in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

That is also what I read, and I don’t read and accept studies, unless corroborated by other studies, and , with a dietician, GP, and EP.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply tobeach_bum

Hi

As a retired nurse I read, enrol at the top Research Companies so get the best literature.

I depend on what I am given.

Its true that supplements cannot be rid from body and mount and mount up causing toxicity.

Food doesn't as its natural.

cherio jOY. 75. (NZ)

Rainfern profile image
Rainfern

Hi. I went to a public talk on arrhythmias and treatments for AF a couple of years ago. It was given by a leading EP in our area who was up to date with latest research on all things AF. He warned against fish oil supplements as research shows it’s not good with AF.

Jajarunner profile image
Jajarunner

The more I read about supplements the more I am convinced they are at least a waste of money. Seems not many of them work the way they do if in Real Food. There are non fish equivalents to omega 3 in other foods if eating fish is an issue. Tinned oily fish is pretty good value too. The exception to this is if you are prescribed by a doctor due to an actual deficiency.IMO anyway 😁

Tomred profile image
Tomred

Took fish oil capsules for many years, didnt seem to affect afib, stopped a few years back after i read an article about too much causing afib, i think it was recommended no more than 3 grams per week to be taken , then i heard a naturpath talking about the oil going rancid, so best getting from fresh food, so much conflicting thought out there its hard to know whats best.

Peacefulneedshelp profile image
Peacefulneedshelp

I was AF free for over a year and on a whim took a new fish oil supplement from a reputable source. With in a few hours had two back to back episodes of AF. Stopped taking them again and so far so good. so it is going to depend on each of us individually. In the past having muscle testing done it indicated by body does not want fish oil supplement. I had forgotten that temporarily

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