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You might have heard that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements are good for you if you are not a weekly eater of fish and salmon, omega-3 rich foods. Researchers say this is true, however, if you take an excessive amount of either or and or both it could be hazardous for your health.

"We are seeing the potential for negative effects at really high levels of omega-3 fatty acid consumption," Norman Hord, associate professor in Oregon State University's College of Public Health and Human Sciences and a coauthor on the paper, said in a news release. "Because we lack valid biomarkers for exposure and knowledge of who might be at risk if consuming excessive amounts, it isn't possible to determine an upper limit at this time."

According to researchers at the OSU, "Studies have shown that omega-3s, also known as long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), are associated with lower risk of sudden cardiac death and other cardiovascular disease outcomes."

Researchers reviewed the literature of a study led by Michigan State University's Jenifer Fenton and her colleagues which found that feeding mice an excessive amount of omega-3 fatty acids led to high risk health complications.

"We were inspired to review the literature based on our findings after recent publications showed increased risk of advanced prostate cancer and atrial fibrillation in those with high blood levels of LCPUFAs," Fenton said.

Researchers said that one of the reasons why omega-3 fatty acids have heart health benefits is because they have anti-inflammatory properties. They also found that an intake of large amounts of omega-3's can cause an abnormal immune response to a viral or bacterial infection. 

"The dysfunctional immune response to excessive omega-3 fatty acid consumption can affect the body's ability to fight microbial pathogens, like bacteria," Hord said.

Researchers explained that the amount of fish oil described in most studies speak about levels higher than what you could receive from eating omega-3 rich foods or taking a usual dosage of an omega-3 supplement. This expresses their concern with now a days omega-3 fortified food such as eggs, bread, butters, oils and orange juice that combined with fish oil supplement use increases the consumption of high levels of omega-3. 

"Our main concern here is the hyper-supplemented individual, who may be taking high-dose omega-3 supplements and eating four to five omega-3-enriched foods per day," said Hord. "This could potentially get someone to an excessive amount." 

She added, "As our paper indicates, there may be subgroups of those who may be at risk from consuming excess amounts of these fatty acids." 

The findings are published in the journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes & Essential Fatty Acids.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952327813001920