if you are taking fish oils to try and normalise your immunes you want mainly EPA rather than DHA.

from my faq

"20.5.18 Omega 3 fish body oil (not fish liver oil)
Various studies have shown that EPA in fish oil has NK and TNFa-lowering properties, at least when taken in the short term. (Some studies suggest that the benefit is no longer present when it is taken for longer periods e.g., 1 year.) DHA in fish oil has shown benefits for the development of baby's brain. Different brands differ a lot in content of EPA and DHA (Zita West brand for example is mainly DHA, whereas Eskimo and Nutrasea (Ascenta) contain a lot more EPA). Cheaper brands are often more fishy tasting and are less likely to come with information proving their purity (in particular, contaminants like PCBs or mercury which are very dangerous for conception/in pregnancy). Nutrasea seems good value for money (for a high purity product) compared to Eskimo. It can be much cheaper if shopped around for on the net than from Holland & Barrett for example.

The optimum dose to take is highly debatable. One doctor in the US (who markets his own brand of fish oils) recommends 5g of fish oil per day. Personally, I would stick to the recommendations on the bottle that you buy (Nutrasea and Eskimo recommend 1.5g of omega 3 (1500mg) per day - be careful to compare like with like e.g., 4.5g of nutrasea fish oil = 1.5g of pure omega 3) and I would be particularly cautious if taking clexane or aspirin at the same time as fish oil has blood thinning properties. Its effects are individual and there is no recommended safe dose for use alongside clexane so, personally, I would drop the dose down initially to, say, ¼ of the recommended dose and be vigilant for any signs of excessive blood thinning (e.g., nosebleeds, unexplained bruising), then if you are ok on the reduced dose you can take a decision on whether you want to try gradually increasing the dose. I have seen advice from Dr Sher on the SIRM board suggesting that it was safe to take 2.25mg of fish oil with 40 mg clexane.

http://forums.haveababy.com/index.php?showtopic=46329

Vegetarian omega 3 capsules are also available, but these contain mainly ALA and very little EPA and DHA. They do not therefore provide the same benefit (for either immune balancing or fetal brain development) as fish oils."

 

Thanks for this Agate! So in your opinion would you think it's safe for me to continue my Ideal Omega3 at 700mg EPA, 200mg DHA & 20mg DPA in 1 capsule? Or should I reduce the dose? I am on 40mg Clexane!

Thanks
Pink x

 

for the reasons above, I wouldn't change to a different formula as you are more likely to benefit from epa than dha at this stage

dr sher has previously advised that another lady could safely take up to 2250mg (sorry the quote above should have read 2.25g i.e., 2250mg) of fish oil with 40mg clex - so 1g ought to be safe.

 

Thank u!

My maths isn't great but I did wonder!

Have a lovely weekend.

Pink x