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What Causes Headache After Taking Omega-3 Supplements?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Nov 2015
Question: Hi, I am taking omega 3 supplements like cod liver oil that contain 300mg strength. When I take them I get an headache. Can you please suggest some multivitamin that contains like 90 mg or more of omega 3 fatty acids.
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
IT is known to cause headaches initially but will subside later

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
omega 3 fatty acids are useful for multiple conditions associated with cardiac functions and is cardio protective.
usually the content of omega 3 fatty acids range from 200 mg to 1000 mg.
As you hae mentioned I guess you are taking a optimum dosage of the same.
Taking oral omega 3 fatty acids are known to cause headaches in the initial period but it will be temporary. After regular use for few days headache will subside and it will be beneficial for you in long run.
Low dose as you asked for 90 mg wont be sufficient to achieve the desired effect and taking it will not be effective and wont get the results as desired.
It will be effective if taken in the minimum optimum doses.
I can understand having headaches is a menace but it will be temporary and will go away once body gets adjusted to the dose of 300 mg.
To help go headache away you can take some painkiller tablets like ibuprofen.
I hope i have answered your query well.
If you have any more question kindly write back to me.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (2 hours later)
I have been taking since a couple of months on alternate days and headache is occurring. Which brand of these capsules would you recommend? Apart from pain killers any other remedy that can minimize headaches? Thanks for your quick response
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
then it could be because of cod liver oil. read along

Detailed Answer:
Hello, thanks for following up with me.
If you are taking omega 3 FA alternate days then it could be two reasons-
1. Either the headache is due to some other reason which might need to investigate properly as headache as side effects for Omega 3 FA is very rare. or
2. you might be having trouble due to cod liver oil content.
I will advice you following option-
1. first of all omega 3 FA should be taken on daily basis after meal. You are taking alternate days which might be not optimum.
2. You can go for capsule Megaza which contains pure omega 3 FA extract without any other additional content. You can also see healthviva brand capsules but they come mixed with cod liver oil or fish oil extract. Megaza will be pure content.
3. Try changing to above said medicine, if still the headache continues then consult your doctor to investigate the headache as it could be due to some other reason and you might be wrongly attributing to this.
I hope i have answered your query well. If you have any other query kindly write back to me.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (22 hours later)
Ok I will try that and let you know. Thank you for your quick response
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you are welcome. close the answer and give rating if you like

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome sir.
If you do not have any further query kindly close the question and leave a feedback for me if you like.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Abhijit Sonawane

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 603 Questions

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What Causes Headache After Taking Omega-3 Supplements?

Brief Answer: IT is known to cause headaches initially but will subside later Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting in HCM. omega 3 fatty acids are useful for multiple conditions associated with cardiac functions and is cardio protective. usually the content of omega 3 fatty acids range from 200 mg to 1000 mg. As you hae mentioned I guess you are taking a optimum dosage of the same. Taking oral omega 3 fatty acids are known to cause headaches in the initial period but it will be temporary. After regular use for few days headache will subside and it will be beneficial for you in long run. Low dose as you asked for 90 mg wont be sufficient to achieve the desired effect and taking it will not be effective and wont get the results as desired. It will be effective if taken in the minimum optimum doses. I can understand having headaches is a menace but it will be temporary and will go away once body gets adjusted to the dose of 300 mg. To help go headache away you can take some painkiller tablets like ibuprofen. I hope i have answered your query well. If you have any more question kindly write back to me. Thank you