“There is a long-standing myth that omega-3s cause bleeding. We have used data from 18,000 patients who were in clinical trials over the years-mostly in heart disease, and there is not one case of bleeding from omega-3s”
It has long been believed that fish oil may cause a person to bleed more easily, especially if consumed at higher doses. However, clinical trials have not found much evidence to support it. And just like the longtime myth that you have to wait 30 minutes after eating to swim, some researchers and physicians are now questioning whether the precaution is valid. Though the Cherab Foundation some parents have questioned bloody noses and increased bruising in wonder if it’s from fish oil supplementation and the advice is to take their child for a bleeding time test. There has yet to be any cases of children testing to have abnormal bleeding time (and I was a child that used to bruise and get bloody noses and unfortunately for me as could have probably have used their health benefits wasn’t on fish oils) Check with your child’s doctor, but good to be aware of the evidence.
Research quotes answer the question do fish oil cause bleeding?
Bill Harris, one of the leading authorities in omega-3 research, doesn’t think so (1).
In 2007, Harris reviewed 19 clinical studies involving 4387 surgical patients who were taking fish oil supplements in doses ranging from 1.6g EPA/DHA per day (the equivalent of taking about 4 fish oil capsules or 1.5 teaspoons of Omega Cure) to 21g EPA/DHA per day. In 16 out of 19 studies, the patients were also taking aspirin. And in three of the studies, patients were taking heparin, another common blood thinning drug. The review concluded that the risk of problematic bleeding was virtually nonexistent, even when combined with other medications known to increase the risk of bleeding (2).
Another review from 2008 reached the same conclusion. This review stated that no published studies had reported clinically significant bleeding episodes among patients treated with antiplatelet drugs and fish oil at a dose of 3g to 7g per day (2).
A more recent review, published online in March of 2017, agreed again. This review found it safe to consume omega-3 supplements, even at large doses of up to 10g of EPA/DHA per day in the short term (3). To put that dose in perspective, it would be the same as swallowing almost ¼ cup of Omega Cure, or taking 30 fish oil capsules daily. That’s significantly more omega-3 than anybody takes on a regular basis.
A study published this summer in the journal Clinical Nutrition literally titled “Fish oil LC-PUFAs do not affect blood coagulation parameters and bleeding manifestations: Analysis of 8 clinical studies with selected patient groups on omega-3-enriched medical nutrition” found no evidence to support any concern raised with regards to the application of n-3 LC-PUFAs and the potentially increased risk for the occurrence of adverse bleeding manifestations even in selected vulnerable and sensitive populations populations. (4)
Even before these studies experts have questioned the bleeding risk, including stopping fish oils prior to surgery. Those with diagnosed heart disease have no chance to stop the fish oils prior to surgery for emergency open-heart surgery, yet I’ve read there are no cases of hemorrhaging for those taking the high dosages of fish oils as per Dr. Stoll, and Dr. Richardson (quotes below)
Speaking of which my Mom went in for open heart surgery and her heart surgeon told her she did not have to stop taking her fish oils prior -and the doctor and nurses in the operating room reported that she had very little bleeding during surgery, and we were also told after she healed faster than the norm.
Fish oil is not like man-made blood thinners -it works with the body as needed.
Dr. Stoll quote answers the question do fish oil cause bleeding?
Saturday Evening Post. An interview with Dr. Stoll:
“Post: Is there a downside to supplementing with omega-3?
Dr. Stoll: There isn’t. Some people may experience GI distress if they take a large amount of a low-quality supplement. But the highest good-quality fish oil is not rancid and has little or no taste and has no side effects.
Another issue that people worry about is bleeding because EPA inhibits platelet aggregation. But we scoured the scientific literature, and there has never been a documented case of bleeding due to omega-3 fatty acids. We recently reviewed about 18,000 people who participated in clinical trials with omega-3s, largely in cardiology studies, and we couldn’t find one instance of bleeding in any of the trials.
There was no bleeding, even if used in IVs prescribed before and during cardiac surgery. I think this perception is a myth because omega-3s don’t inhibit the platelets as strongly as aspirinperhaps 60 to 70 percent as much as aspirinand unlike aspirin, the effect is reversible.
Post: When a patient is on blood thinners, such as coumadin, should they exercise caution when supplementing with omega-3? Dr. Stoll: In that situation, I usually recommend a lower dose, not exceeding one or two grams of EPA per day. At this dosage, there should be no effect on the action of coumadin. The unanswered question is, together are they providing too much anticoagulation? Nonetheless, there may be some minute risk of a negative interaction with anticoagulants, such as warfarin (coumadin), high-dose aspirin, or ibuprofen-like medications, based on animal data and anecdotal reports in humans. However, large-scale controlled clinical trials with patients receiving omega-3 fatty acid supplements with either aspirin or warfarin observed no cases of bleeding even after one year of the combined treatments.
It would be a shame if cardiac patients or their physicians avoided the use of omega-3 supplements out of fear. I am thoroughly convinced that the dramatic and lifesaving cardiac actions of omega-3s far outweigh the very small or nonexistent risk of bleeding.”
SOURCE: Saturday Evening Post, May/June 2005, by Patrick Perry.
Dr. Richardson quote answers the question do fish oil cause bleeding?
“There is a long-standing myth that omega-3s cause bleeding. We have used data from 18,000 patients who were in clinical trials over the years-mostly in heart disease, and there is not one case of bleeding from omega-3s”
Resources
1. Harris, W.S. Expert opinion: Omega-3 fatty acids and bleeding—Cause for concern? Report of the National Lipid Association’s Safety Task Force: The Nonstatins. 99.6A (2007): 44C-6C. March 19, 2007.
2. Braun, L. Fish oils and bleeding: ‘Is there a clinically significant risk? BioCeuticals. August 19, 2013.
3. Jeansen,S., Witkamp, R.F., Garthoff, J.A., van Helvoort, A., Calder, P.C. Fish oil LC-PUFAs do not affect blood coagulation parameters and bleeding manifestations: Analysis of 8 clinical studies with selected patient groups on omega-3-enriched medical nutrition. Clinical Nutrition (2017). pii: S0261-5614(17)30118-8.
4. Jeansen, S. Et al. Fish oil LC-PUFAs do not affect blood coagulation parameters and bleeding manifestations: Analysis of 8 clinical studies with selected patient groups on omega-3-enriched medical nutrition Clinical Nutrition (2018), Volume 37, Issue 3 Pages 948-957
Lisa Geng is an accomplished author, mother, founder, and president of the CHERAB Foundation. She is a patented inventor and creator in the fashion, toy, and film industries. After the early diagnosis of her two young children with severe apraxia, hypotonia, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and CAPD, she dedicated her life to nonprofit work and pilot studies. Lisa is the co-author of the highly acclaimed book “The Late Talker” (St Martin’s Press 2003). She has hosted numerous conferences, including one overseen by a medical director from the NIH for her protocol using fish oils as a therapeutic intervention. Lisa currently holds four patents and patents pending on a nutritional composition. She is a co-author of a study that used her proprietary nutritional composition published in a National Institute of Health-based, peer-reviewed medical journal.
Additionally, Lisa has been serving as an AAN Immunization Panel parent advocate since 2015 and is a member of CUE through Cochrane US. Currently working on her second book, “The Late Talker Grows Up,” she also serves as an executive producer of “Late Talkers Silent Voices.” Lisa Geng lives on the Treasure Coast of Florida.
Related
Consumers United for Evidence-Based Healthcare (CUE) is a national coalition of health and consumer advocacy organizations committed to empowering consumers to make the best use of evidence-based healthcare (EBHC).
Fish oil and Bleeding Risk
Posted: August 10, 2018 by lisa
It has long been believed that fish oil may cause a person to bleed more easily, especially if consumed at higher doses. However, clinical trials have not found much evidence to support it. And just like the longtime myth that you have to wait 30 minutes after eating to swim, some researchers and physicians are now questioning whether the precaution is valid. Though the Cherab Foundation some parents have questioned bloody noses and increased bruising in wonder if it’s from fish oil supplementation and the advice is to take their child for a bleeding time test. There has yet to be any cases of children testing to have abnormal bleeding time (and I was a child that used to bruise and get bloody noses and unfortunately for me as could have probably have used their health benefits wasn’t on fish oils) Check with your child’s doctor, but good to be aware of the evidence.
Research quotes answer the question do fish oil cause bleeding?
Bill Harris, one of the leading authorities in omega-3 research, doesn’t think so (1).
In 2007, Harris reviewed 19 clinical studies involving 4387 surgical patients who were taking fish oil supplements in doses ranging from 1.6g EPA/DHA per day (the equivalent of taking about 4 fish oil capsules or 1.5 teaspoons of Omega Cure) to 21g EPA/DHA per day. In 16 out of 19 studies, the patients were also taking aspirin. And in three of the studies, patients were taking heparin, another common blood thinning drug. The review concluded that the risk of problematic bleeding was virtually nonexistent, even when combined with other medications known to increase the risk of bleeding (2).
Another review from 2008 reached the same conclusion. This review stated that no published studies had reported clinically significant bleeding episodes among patients treated with antiplatelet drugs and fish oil at a dose of 3g to 7g per day (2).
A more recent review, published online in March of 2017, agreed again. This review found it safe to consume omega-3 supplements, even at large doses of up to 10g of EPA/DHA per day in the short term (3). To put that dose in perspective, it would be the same as swallowing almost ¼ cup of Omega Cure, or taking 30 fish oil capsules daily. That’s significantly more omega-3 than anybody takes on a regular basis.
A study published this summer in the journal Clinical Nutrition literally titled “Fish oil LC-PUFAs do not affect blood coagulation parameters and bleeding manifestations: Analysis of 8 clinical studies with selected patient groups on omega-3-enriched medical nutrition” found no evidence to support any concern raised with regards to the application of n-3 LC-PUFAs and the potentially increased risk for the occurrence of adverse bleeding manifestations even in selected vulnerable and sensitive populations populations. (4)
Even before these studies experts have questioned the bleeding risk, including stopping fish oils prior to surgery. Those with diagnosed heart disease have no chance to stop the fish oils prior to surgery for emergency open-heart surgery, yet I’ve read there are no cases of hemorrhaging for those taking the high dosages of fish oils as per Dr. Stoll, and Dr. Richardson (quotes below)
Speaking of which my Mom went in for open heart surgery and her heart surgeon told her she did not have to stop taking her fish oils prior -and the doctor and nurses in the operating room reported that she had very little bleeding during surgery, and we were also told after she healed faster than the norm.
Fish oil is not like man-made blood thinners -it works with the body as needed.
Dr. Stoll quote answers the question do fish oil cause bleeding?
Saturday Evening Post. An interview with Dr. Stoll:
“Post: Is there a downside to supplementing with omega-3?
Dr. Stoll: There isn’t. Some people may experience GI distress if they take a large amount of a low-quality supplement. But the highest good-quality fish oil is not rancid and has little or no taste and has no side effects.
Another issue that people worry about is bleeding because EPA inhibits platelet aggregation. But we scoured the scientific literature, and there has never been a documented case of bleeding due to omega-3 fatty acids. We recently reviewed about 18,000 people who participated in clinical trials with omega-3s, largely in cardiology studies, and we couldn’t find one instance of bleeding in any of the trials.
There was no bleeding, even if used in IVs prescribed before and during cardiac surgery. I think this perception is a myth because omega-3s don’t inhibit the platelets as strongly as aspirinperhaps 60 to 70 percent as much as aspirinand unlike aspirin, the effect is reversible.
Post: When a patient is on blood thinners, such as coumadin, should they exercise caution when supplementing with omega-3? Dr. Stoll: In that situation, I usually recommend a lower dose, not exceeding one or two grams of EPA per day. At this dosage, there should be no effect on the action of coumadin. The unanswered question is, together are they providing too much anticoagulation? Nonetheless, there may be some minute risk of a negative interaction with anticoagulants, such as warfarin (coumadin), high-dose aspirin, or ibuprofen-like medications, based on animal data and anecdotal reports in humans. However, large-scale controlled clinical trials with patients receiving omega-3 fatty acid supplements with either aspirin or warfarin observed no cases of bleeding even after one year of the combined treatments.
It would be a shame if cardiac patients or their physicians avoided the use of omega-3 supplements out of fear. I am thoroughly convinced that the dramatic and lifesaving cardiac actions of omega-3s far outweigh the very small or nonexistent risk of bleeding.”
SOURCE: Saturday Evening Post, May/June 2005, by Patrick Perry.
Dr. Richardson quote answers the question do fish oil cause bleeding?
“There is a long-standing myth that omega-3s cause bleeding. We have used data from 18,000 patients who were in clinical trials over the years-mostly in heart disease, and there is not one case of bleeding from omega-3s”
Resources
1. Harris, W.S. Expert opinion: Omega-3 fatty acids and bleeding—Cause for concern? Report of the National Lipid Association’s Safety Task Force: The Nonstatins. 99.6A (2007): 44C-6C. March 19, 2007.
2. Braun, L. Fish oils and bleeding: ‘Is there a clinically significant risk? BioCeuticals. August 19, 2013.
3. Jeansen,S., Witkamp, R.F., Garthoff, J.A., van Helvoort, A., Calder, P.C. Fish oil LC-PUFAs do not affect blood coagulation parameters and bleeding manifestations: Analysis of 8 clinical studies with selected patient groups on omega-3-enriched medical nutrition. Clinical Nutrition (2017). pii: S0261-5614(17)30118-8.
4. Jeansen, S. Et al. Fish oil LC-PUFAs do not affect blood coagulation parameters and bleeding manifestations: Analysis of 8 clinical studies with selected patient groups on omega-3-enriched medical nutrition Clinical Nutrition (2018), Volume 37, Issue 3 Pages 948-957
Author and President of The Cherab Foundation
Additionally, Lisa has been serving as an AAN Immunization Panel parent advocate since 2015 and is a member of CUE through Cochrane US. Currently working on her second book, “The Late Talker Grows Up,” she also serves as an executive producer of “Late Talkers Silent Voices.” Lisa Geng lives on the Treasure Coast of Florida.
Related
Category: Disorders, Education, Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), fish, Research Tags: bleeding, fish oil, stop, surgery