Hi there! I am about to finally start the diet after ordering the book a few months ago.

My question was are there any negative health side effects to fish oil I should be watching out for?

Thanks so much!

I wasn't clear in the book? I tried so hard! Oh well.

Most women at first have digestive issues of one kind or another if they take too much too fast. That's why I recommend increasing the dosage slowly and getting a good-quality brand.

Oily skin and hair are typical side effects. Sometimes women also feel a little spacey.

There are more serious side effects if you are taking too much--easily bruising and cuts having trouble scabbing over. Definitely cut back the dosage if that happens. Also check for drug interactions. Typically if a drug will interact with aspirin, it will interact with fish oil.

Oily hair and skin INDEED! But along with my hair becoming more oily, at least on the first day and a half-ish its shinier and more healthy looking!!

Marrena,

I am trying not to be paranoid but I already bruise easily. I have three young boys who are physical. I ALWAYS have bruises.

However, I was helping my fiance move this past weekend and have bruises all over my legs. How do I differentiate between what is normal and what is due to the fish oil?

BTW, you were pretty clear in the book. I think sometimes people read it so quickly then have questions and just post instead of going back to the book.

I have a question. By your comment about digestive problems, could that include a fishy smell in my vaginal area? I am taking the GNC Double Strength Fish Oil, 2 in the am and 2 in the pm, and keep on having fishy burps regardless if I've eaten or not. Even worse is a noticeable fishy odor in my vaginal area. I am disappointed with the GNC product because they said how purified it was, and I'm having issues. Should I cut down my dosage? Thanks!

I may be wrong, but I think a fishy odor in the vaginal area generally indicates an infection. You may want to check with your doc on that one. I take 6 a day of the same brand and stength that you do. I do notice some fishy/lemony burps for a little while after I take them but no fishy body or vaginal odor.

Thanks for the suggestion, but it's definitely not any type of infection. And it's only occurred since i've started taking the 4 pills a day. Anyone else has feedback, I'd appreciate it!

UptownGirl,

I have noticed this as well. It seems really noticeable during ovulation...in my opinion offensive. This is definitely not an infection and something that I've never experienced before. I've also noticed that discharge is 'clumpy' at this time. Goes against the past where odor was almost pleasant and discharge clear. Glad you brought it up because I kept forgetting. The odor does become less offensive closer to menstruation and stays that way until ovulation.

Oh good. I'm not the only one with the scent issue! I've noticed a different scent on me since shortly after I started the FO, too, and my vaginal secretions are a different odor, also.

Not offensive and my man hasn't commented on it yet, so.... I'm leaving well enough alone.

What about your sweat? Or, excuse me, your perspiration? (LOL) Has that changed, too? It doesn't surprise me as when I became a vegetarian my body odor changed dramatically over a 3 month period, so it made sense to me that this would change it again.

Glad to know I'm not the only one, though!

This does depend on the quality of the fish oil. The purer the fish oil, the less this occurs.

Thanks, Marrena. Can you please recommend a fish oil? I was told the GNC Double Strength Fish Oil was the way to go, but it's obviously not working.

I haven't noticed the perspiration issue.

That's very interesting! I haven't noticed an odor so far and I've been with my husband long enought that if he did he would say something. I'm going to pay closer attention though during this cycle though.

My partner noticed it, but he didn't say anything until I brought it up. I'm hoping it's during the ovulation stage only!

whoops, missed the question about the bruising.

Of course if your lifestyle leads you to have lots of bruises, then that's not the fish oil. What to watch out for is if small bumps lead to big bruises, particularly when combined with cuts that won't stop bleeding. Neither of these things should happen at the dosages I am recommending, but theoretically a woman could take too much or could be on drugs that interact with the fish oil, or their physiology might be unusual.

Purity of fish oil of course generally goes along with how expensive it is. The GNC brand is a decent brand that doesn't cost too much and is effective at raising libido without being too hard on the tummy for most women. But if you have a sensitive stomach or are very concerned about the odor issue, I would recommend either Minami or the Sears brand of fish oil, both of which I also recommend to pregnant and nursing women because of their purity.

Which Minami brand is the best to try?
I don't know if it's the MorDHA for Pregnancy & Breast Feeding or the other types they sell on the website? Thanks in advance, I can't handle the GNC one anymore, and I really want this diet to work for me!