Fish oil does not thin your blood. Dozens of studies demonstrate this. Fish oil and eating fish does some phenomenal things for your body but thinning your blood and increasing bleeding risk is NOT one of them.

So why do surgeons ask you to stop fish oil before surgery? The answer is that they are not doing their research. If they are so afraid of fish oil, did they advise you to stop eating fish? Of course not. That would make too much sense.

Eating fish and supplementing with high-quality omega 3 oils is part of a strategy to keep your blood flowing NORMALLY.

I think omega 3 helps to prevent sluggish blood flow in a sick society. It stands to reason that eating fast-food, drinking soda pop, and smoking cigarettes will thicken your blood. Lack of sunshine and lack of sleep are sure to thicken your blood.

Dozens of Studies Show No Harm with Fish Oil

• Open heart surgery patients did not bleed more if they were on high dose fish oil.
• Spine surgery patients do not bleed more.
• 52 studies that fish oil is not a blood thinner.

So, go ahead and eat your wild salmon, sardines, anchovies, and shellfish. They are very heart-healthy and do not increase your bleeding risk. They are great for your brain, heart and every cell in your body.

Some Benefits of Fish Oil

• Better brain
• Improves blood sugar by raising adiponectin thus leading to improved insulin function and fat cell function.
• Lowers resting heart rate- lower heart rate is a sign of heart health and lower risk of atrial fibrillation
• Lowers blood pressure
• Lowers triglyerides– the lower your TRG’s the less risk of heart attack
• Reduces pain and inflammation

Which Fish Oil Should You Take?

We prefer a high dose DHA formulation called Omega DHA. DHA is the “end game” of omega 3 production. It is the final version utilized by the cells of the body. Other formulations that have low DHA often do not raise levels sufficiently. 1-2 caps with food daily. Buy it here.

Take in the middle of a meal to prevent the oil refluxing or “repeating” on you. Some people complain of the fish oil burps. We find this is minimized with proper digestion and taking in the middle of the meal. More food just goes on top of the oil. Digestive enzymes should be consumed by most people, but especially those who burp fish oil. Check out our Digest.

Consider getting your cellular omega 3 levels checked along with all your other micronutrients.