{"id":349499,"date":"2010-02-22T11:48:28","date_gmt":"2010-02-22T16:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marksdailyapple.com\/?p=10943"},"modified":"2010-02-22T11:48:28","modified_gmt":"2010-02-22T16:48:28","slug":"dear-mark-omega-3s-and-fish-allergies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/349499","title":{"rendered":"Dear Mark: Omega-3s and Fish Allergies"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"OmegaBy now we all know the benefits of fish oil<\/a> and its omega-3s<\/a>: lower risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer, less systemic inflammation, lower risk for depression, better skin, and so on. Although fish<\/a> and fish oil<\/a> supplements are the best sources for these omega-3<\/a> benefits, there are nonetheless scenarios that rule out these sources.<\/p>\n

Dear Mark: <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m sold on the benefits of a Fish Oil Supplement and I\u2019m interested to start taking one. However, I have had serious allergic reactions to Shell Fish in the past, and an allergist has shown me to be reactive to most fish in general. As such I have avoided anything and everything that swims for a very long time. Maybe it\u2019s possible my allergies were due to inflammation caused by my CW diet, but I\u2019m still wary to test my theory now that I\u2019m eating Primal. I feel like I\u2019m missing out on a huge variety of food and supplement options. Question: I know anything can cause an allergic reaction, but is there any scientific basis for Fish Oil Supplements causing allergic reactions in people who have demonstrated allergies to fish\/shellfish? And if so, what are my options for proper Omega-3 supplementation?<\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks to DJK for this week\u2019s question. First, let me expand on the allergy subject. Fish allergies are most commonly set off by fish proteins and less commonly by fish bones and skin (found in gelatin products). Even if you\u2019ve shown a sensitivity to finned fish, you don\u2019t need to rule out fish oil just yet. Although processing varies considerably between brands, true purified fish oil shouldn\u2019t contain anything that would incite an allergic reaction. For those with a sensitivity but not full-blown allergy to fish, I\u2019d recommend giving a high quality purified supplement a careful but fair try. A very small study<\/a> showed that purified fish oil supplements were safe for those with fish sensitivities.<\/p>\n

If, on the other hand, you\u2019re one of the few with a serious, life-threatening allergy to fish I\u2019d recommend a different omega-3<\/a> route. Your best bet is to come at it from multiple angles.<\/p>\n