I'm really confused about fish oil and it's benefits. I had been taking the fish oil capsules from the ZoneLiving website and to be honest stopped taking them because I acutally feel better not taking them. When I was taking the recommended dosage I began to feel light headed kind of fuzzy actually and my condition did not improve. Then I went to WebMD and learned that fish oil can actually elevate LDL's. Is this true? Before losing weight (I've been zoning since September of 2007 and have lost close to 50 pounds) my cholesteral was border line high, and my doctor said to lose weight or he would have to give me medication to lower the "bad" cholesteral levels in my body. Proud to say that by losing the weight meds were not an issue. I wanted to further benefit my program so I started taking the fish oil capsules about a month ago, and did not feel well at all while taking them. The only other meds I take are: Atenenol to regulate a-fib, thyroid medication, and an iron supplement prescribed by my doctor.

Is it possible that not every person can benefit from fish oil? Should I consult my doctor about this, or does anyone have different advise to share. I'm so confused. I really want the benefits of the oil, but maybe my body won't allow that to happen.

Thanks in advance!

Tammi

Hi Tammi!

You might have been taking more fish oil than you require. Such was my case, and with Dr Sears' help in determining my dosage I am now a low dose of Eico Rx that is addressing my needs very well without causing the lightheadedness, fatigue and disoriented feelings I had with the usual recommended dose.

I'll be glad to answer any qns you might have in regard to my experience.

Subject: Can Fish Oil be Harmful?

Only to your breath. :)

Sorry, just padding my number of posts.

But not if you take it in capsules, lol!

I know that Paul and Sue were joking around, but actually, if you do experience flatulence with fish oil capsules, then the breath WILL be affected!

I have that problem. I don't have problems with my breath if I take the liquid fish oil in a shake. But, if I take them in capsule form, then the breath problem IS a problem.

JUST FYI!

Tammi,

I think there is a good section written up in the OmegaRx Zone regarding how fish oil affects the lipid profile.

There are so many different versions of fish oil, each brand may differ in the amount of EPA and DHA. So, the information from WebMD may be "generalized" and not specific to Zone Lab's fish oil.

There may also be some relationship of fish oil to Atenolol, although I would have to look this up later, as well. Certainly, it is possible that the combination of the Atenolol and the fish oil caused you to have the lightheadedness (possibly due to a lowered blood pressure).

Hi Tammi,

I took fish oil with Lopressor (aka metoprolol, a beta blocker like atenolol) for a short time, with no problem. I am by no means a medical expert, so check this with your doctor, but my understanding is that atenolol slows the heart rate, and rather than lowering the bp it prevents it from going up. Your doctor could explain it to you. The bigger deal with atenolol in regard to the Zone is that it's a beta blocker and beta blockers can elevate insulin levels. Dr. Sears explains about beta blockers negatively effecting the Zone in one of the Zone books. I've read recommendations by Dr. Sears the people on beta blockers check with their doctors to see if a different medication could be substituted. You'll need to practice strict adherence to the Zone diet because of the beta blocker. I've also recently read (not in Zone material) that one of the concerns with atenolol is increased risk for Type 2 Diabetes. I assume this is due to it's insulin elevating side effect.

Tammi,

I don't know if you have this book, but there is a section in the OmegaRx Zone that explains the rise in the LDL. On page 86-87:

With increased consumption of fish oil, the average increase in LDL cholesterol is ont he order of 5-10%. However, there is also a massive drop in triglyceride levels, which lowers the TG/HDL ratio. The TG/HDL ratio indicates which type of LDL particles you have. As your TG/HDL ratio drops, the LDL particles are converted from the "bad" ones to the "fluffy" type, which are less likely to be the type that forms plaque in the arteries.

Then, by following the Zone Diet, the LDL should also drop.

As far as beta blockers go, I have personally seen patients who have suffered hypotension from taking it (referring to Sue's comment). I don't know if there is a direct correlation between fish oil and Atenolol.