Costco Fish Oil Capsules contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids are not made by the body and needs to be consumed in the diet and work by lowering the body’s production of triglycerides. The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are extremely beneficial for the heart because the high levels of triglycerides can cause heart disease, coronary artery disease and stroke. 

Prescription Name and Overview

As stated by Everyday Health, Fish oil is basically an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement which comes from the tissues of oily fish. The supplement is mostly made from salmon, mackerel, whale blubber, seal blubber, herring, cod liver and tuna. The name of the Costco Fish Oil is Kirkland Fish Oil and there is a variety of the type of Fish Oils that is sold. However, the most popular is Kirkland’s Signature Fish Oil.

Generic Name and Overview

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is the generic name for the Fish Oil capsules. According to Drugs.com, fish oil capsules should be used together with a good diet and exercise to help lower the triglyceride levels in the blood. These capsules play on one part, the rest like exercise, weight control and diet should not be sidelined.

OTC  Name and Overview

Manufacturer

The manufacturer for Kirkland Fish Oil is Trident Seafoods.

Labeled Indications

• Conditions related to the heart
• To help with
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
•  migraine headache
• Schizophrenia
• Developmental coordination disorder
• Mental impairment
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Alzheimer’s disease
• To prevent liver injuries in people who are given food in the vein for a long period of times.
• High blood pressure
• High triglycerides and cholesterol level
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Active Ingredients

The active ingredients in Costco Fish Oil capsules are “Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids”.

What Is It Used For?

WebMD states, that although the research on the benefits of the Costco Fish Oil supplement for certain types medical conditions isn’t conclusive, the supplement is used by many people to treat different ailments. It’s used for:

• The prevention of heart attacks
• Lower the high blood pressure
• Help with obesity
• Prevent weight loss
• Prevent painful periods
• Treat complications of pregnancy (miscarriages and preeclampsia)
• To relieve symptoms of glaucoma, dry eyes and age-related macular degeneration.

How Does it Work?

According to WebMD, the benefits of Costco Fish Oil comes from the omega-3 fatty acids, as the human isn’t capable of producing its own omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids reduces swelling and pain, which explains why Costco Fish Oil is effective for dry eyes and psoriasis. Costco Fish Oil also prevents the blood from clotting, which is why it is extremely helpful for some heart conditions.

What are the Approved Uses?

Costco Fish Oil supplement should not be replaced for complete meals, as a proper meals are necessary for a healthy diet. Unlike drugs, any type of supplements are not permitted to be marketed for the purpose of diagnosing, preventing, treating or curing diseases, the same applies to Costco Fish Oil supplements.

Only prescription Costco Fish Oil is approved by the FDA to lower unhealthy high triglyceride levels, as stated by the Dr. Axe site. Other benefits and uses of Costco Fish Oil supplements are based on scientific evidences. Some of the scientifically proven Costco Fish Oil benefits are for:

• ADHA
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Depression
• Eye Disorders
• Skin and Hair
• Fertility and Pregnancy
• Weight Loss

Production Anecdotes / History

Precautions

According to Rxlist, Costco Fish Oil is “likely to be safe” for most when it is taken by the mouth in low doses (3 grams or less/day). However, there are a few safety concerns when the Costco Fish Oil supplement is taken in higher doses. The consumption of Costco Fish Oil of more than 3 grams per day may keep the blood from clotting, but can also increase the chance of bleeding.

High dosage of Costco Fish Oil may reduce the immune system’s functionality to fight off infections. Especially for patients (organ transplant patients and elderly) who are taking medications to reduce their immune system’s activity. It is advised to only take high doses of Costco Fish Oil under medical supervision.

Costco Fish Oil is “possibly safe” when taken by mouth appropriately in children. It has been used safely through feeding tubes in newborns for up to 9 months.

Taking Costco Fish Oil might increase the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It can also increase the risk of bleeding in people with liver disease. There is also some concern for diabetic patients and consumption of Costco Fish Oil supplements, as it may make it difficult to control the blood sugar level. In high blood pressure patients, Costco Fish Oil may lower the blood pressure significantly low in patients who are taking blood pressure-lowering medications.

In patients with HIV/AIDS or other conditions in which the immune system response in low, higher dosage of Costco Fish Oil can cause to lower the body’s immune system activity which could be a problem for patients with an already weak immune system. There is some research that suggests that Costco Fish Oil may increase the risk of irregular heartbeat in patients with an implanted defibrillator. It is advised to stay safe by taking Costco Fish Oil supplements under medical supervision. People with fish or sea food allergy might also be allergic to Costco Fish Oil supplements, there is not a lot of reliable information to show how likely the allergic reaction may occur. However, to stay safe it is advised to patients to with fish or sea food allergy to avoid Costco Fish Oil supplements.

Long-Term Use Considerations

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Ohio State University in a case control study looked at the link between blood levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and the risk of prostate cancer. The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute and published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the National Care Institute. According to the study and its conclusion, taking omega-3 fish oil supplements might increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer by at least 70%. It was also concluded that high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids was linked with a 44% increase in the risk of slow growing prostate cancer. The story was covered by Daily Report and other media as well.

Drug Interactions

Can Interact with the Following

Mayo Clinic states, that there is a possibility of interactions:

Blood pressure drugs, supplements and herbs: Taking Costco Fish Oil supplements may significantly lower the blood pressure and might increase the effects on blood pressure as well.

Vitamin E:  Taking Costco fish oil with Vitamin E can reduce the levels of Vitamin E in the body.

Contraceptive drugs: These type of drugs can interfere with the effect of Fish Oil, especially on the triglyceride levels.

Anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs, supplements and herbs: These types of drugs are responsible for reducing blood clots. Taking fish oil with these drugs can increase the risk of bleeding.

Can’t Interact with the Following:

The doctor or prescriber should be told about all the over the counter, prescription and herbal medication you are taking. If you’re taking any supplements it should be in the doctors or prescribers knowledge. On the basis of the information given, the doctor will adjust your medications accordingly and will manage how drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

When To Stop Taking

The medical supervisor should decide whether or not it is necessary to take or stop taking Fish Oil supplements, especially before having a surgery or medical procedure. Harold E. Bays, MD, recommended in the American Journal of Cardiology, that when it comes to taking Fish Oil the theoretical risk of increase in bleeding should be weighed against the potential benefits of using fish oil.

In case if some of the side effects don’t wear off associated to Fish Oil, medical help should be consulted to get to the root of the problem.

Long-Term Side Effects

Fish Oil supplements are known for its health-promoting properties. However, the consumption of taking high doses can potentially do more harm than good when it comes to health. There isn’t much evidence on the long-term effects of the consumption of Fish Oil supplements. However, according to the study  “Effects of long-term consumption of high doses of fish oil concentrates on clinical parameters in male and female rats” conducted in 1999, published on Pub Med, the results concluded that diet supplemented with fish oil concentrates (FOCS) adversely affected the serum iron level and relative liver weight in female rats and relative spleen weight in both sexes. 

FDA Warnings (History Of)

Dietary supplements can be beneficial for health as stated by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, it may also involve some risks. FDA does not have the authority to review dietary supplement products for safety and effectiveness prior to their marketing.

Therefore, making decision about whether a Fish Oil supplement can be taken or not, it’s important to talk the healthcare provider. Under medical supervision, a balance between the foods and nutrients can be maintained.

Other Common Side Effects

Everyday Health has stated that some of the common side effects that might occur and may go away on their own as your body adjust to the medicine. The healthcare professional can be consulted to reduce some of the side effects. If the side effects become sever or don’t go away, the doctor should be consulted immediately. The suit, claims that the companies violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and state consumer protection laws.

The common side effects are:

• Mild skin rashes
• Upset stomach
• Unpleasant taste in mouth
• Frequent belching
• Back pain

The healthcare profession should be informed immediately if any of the serious side effects are experienced while taking Fish Oil.

The more serious side effects are:

• Uneven heartbeat
• Fever, body aches, chills or other flu symptoms
• Chest pain
• Any signs of an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing and swelling of the face, tongue, throat or lips)

Lawsuits

The Seattle Times have reported that an individual from New York has sued the company and manufacturer Trident Seafoods for its Kirkland Signature Wilk Alaskan Fish Oil for alleging that the dietary supplement consists of less than half of the omega fatty acids that the labelling claims. The complaint was filed on February 27, 2018.

The complaint cited test results by Consumer Lab, a Westchester, a New York based company that evaluates nutrition and health products. The test results concluded that only 48% of the 720 milligrams of omega-5, 6,7,9 and 11 fatty acids listed on the labels were founded.Teva Pharmaceuticals(Opens in a new browser tab)

Teva Pharmaceuticals(Opens in a new browser tab)

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