Comments on: Fish Oil and Insomnia

By: Guy

Guy — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:15:38 +0000

I have had horrible sleep problems for 11 years – and I started taking fish oil 11 years ago. I always trusted it implicitly, and have jumped from one theory to the next, trying to find some cause. Only now have I finally seen what appears to be going on. Krill oil has same effect for me, but hemp oil is fine.

Thanks for writing about a problem that apparently is little-known.

Now I’d like to know what exactly is in fish oil that gets to me. Maybe DMAE? Maybe toxins. Maybe the EPA and DHA themselves?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:02:13 +0000

For me krill oil s much better than the fish oil for several studies had shown that some fishes are contaminated with mercury which is dangerous for an individuals health, plus krill oil is proven to be the superior source of Omega 3.

By: Vin

Vin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:49:56 +0000

Hi Ruth, thanks for sharing your experience.

Here are a few things to keep in mind. Even if a fish oil is advertised as being free of toxins, oxidized fatty acids are still a concern. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated which means they’re especially susceptible to oxidation and can promote all of the undesirable effects of free radicals. In my opinion, the processing involved in creating fish oil is likely to increase the probability of oxidized fatty acids existing in the final product. This is one of the reasons why I consider high quality whole seafood to be a better source. Obtaining essential fatty acids from whole foods will also promote a more natural balance between omega 6 and omega 3 intake. Anyone who eats processed foods regularly is likely consuming an excessive amount of omega 6 as well as promoting an imbalance between it and omega 3. As may be the case with you, relying on fish oil or other forms of supplementation can promote an imbalance in the opposite direction if they contain mostly omega 3.

By: ruth

ruth — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 11:55:17 +0000

I also have trouble sleeping when i consume fish oil even though i took very high quality fish oil free of toxin. When i switch to flax seed and flax oil, the insomnia disappear after a few days. I am not sure what is the reason. But i suspect it is due to omega 3 and omega 6 imbalance, i could be getting too much of the omega 3. Flax oil has a more balance fatty acid.

By: Sherrie

Sherrie — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:02:33 +0000

Seafood more then 24 hours old is very high in natural amines which are notorious for causing sleep issues so this could be your problem.

By: Vin

Vin — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:40:24 +0000

No problem Pegeen, I’m happy to help! I’m glad to hear the flax seeds are working better for you.

By: Pegeen

Pegeen — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:12:16 +0000

Vin, thank you for looking into this. I have stopped taking fish oil, and started back on the flax seeds and flax oil with no issue. I find the information on your site to be very beneficial!

By: Vin

Vin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:00:46 +0000

Thanks for your feedback Bud! I’m glad to hear the fish oil is helping you achieve better health!

By: Bud Hennekes

Bud Hennekes — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:21:56 +0000

I take fish oil each day and it has proven to be very beneficial to my overall health.

Congrats on the traffic my friend!