People who take the highest dose of fish oil for six months end up with more oxidized fat in their red blood cells than those taking a low dose — even if they started with the same level of protection.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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n-3 fatty acids induce oxidative modifications in human erythrocytes depending on dose and duration of dietary supplementation.

Cohort Study

Human

1996 Sep

Taking a lot of fish oil for 6 months makes your red blood cells more prone to damage from oxidation, and the more you take, the worse it gets—even if your body started with the same level of protective antioxidants as everyone else.

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No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

n-3 fatty acids induce oxidative modifications in human erythrocytes depending on dose and duration of dietary supplementation.

Score: 33

DOI: 10.1093/AJCN/64.3.297

Similar Assertions

After one month of taking high-dose fish oil, your red blood cells temporarily get more of a protective antioxidant called alpha-tocopherol, which helps them resist damage from oxidation.

89%

After six months of high-dose fish oil, the protective antioxidant in red blood cells drops back down, and the cells become more easily damaged by oxidation — and the higher the dose, the worse it gets.

88%

Fish oil can help protect your blood cells from damage at first, but if you take a lot for a long time, it ends up making them more fragile — and how much you take and how long you take it both matter.

76%