For heart health I take a daily, full strength asperin plus a lot of vitamin/mineral suppliments at 2x/day (for more than 15 years). Am a male senior, B/P and weight are very good. Never smoked and very little drinking (absolutely no non-prescribed meds ever, and nothing for any heart condition.) Sometimes have acid reflux and grab a "Tums" like pill. (Too much calcium per day?) One morning last week I awoke and had less hearing in one ear and some hissing sound. It all decreased by nightfall. Next day the same thing. My sense of the highs and the loudness I hear seems lowered in one ear. Arranged my pillow to not press on my jaw, but no change no matter how I adjusted it.
Q: Can more than 3g of Omega 3 fatty acids per day hurt hearing?
Answers (4)
8/ 1/08 8:16pm
Chuck,
Thanks for your question. Hearing loss and/or tinnitus (buzzing or ringing of the ears) is not a side effect of Omega 3 fatty acids. In fact there are no significant side effects reported from this supplement, unless, of course, you have an allergy to fish, as this is made from fish oil.
Your symptoms could be a local problem in the ear, such as a wax build-up or blockage. It could also be a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. Or it could be a problem of the inner ear, or nerve between the ear and the brain.
I suggest you make an appointment with your primary care phsyician to check out the local possibillities, and to assess your hearing in general. If all checks out and you continue to have a problem, then an ENT specialist should be consulted for further evaluation.
Also, be careful with all of the vitamin supplements. Many vitamins are in an acid form, and can cause irritation of the stomach and esophagus, a complaint that you mentioned in your question.
Best wishes.
Martin Cane, M.D.
8/ 1/08 6:59pm
Hello,I have never heard of omega effecting anyone's hearing.Jim
8/ 1/08 6:59pm
Hello,I have never heard of omega effecting anyone's hearing.Jim
8/ 1/08 9:25pm
Chuck:
I recently embarked on a trial that mimics the EPA/DHA omega-3 fatty acid intake of coastal Bantu fisherman to combat lipoprotein(a) (based on a study by Dr. Marcovina). It requires me to take 5100mg of omega-3's per day. This would be the equivalent of taking about 17 capsules per day of the typical preparation sold at your local drugstore.
Keep in mind that "gram of fish oil" tells you nothing about the omega-3 (EPA/DHA) content. Over-the-counter fish oil typically contains 180/120mg EPA/DHA (300mg total) per 1 gram capsule. If you take three, 1 gram capsules you are getting only 900mg of omega-3's. I take over five times that much by ingesting 6 prescription strength capsules (850mg EPA/DHA). Anecdotally, my blood pressure has dropped 20 points, both systolic and diastolic, from my life long pressure of 120/80! I also noted my INR (a measure of blood coagulation) has risen to 1.29 which is a little high (normal is "1" and higher means longer coagulation time). Now, let's see what it does for my Lp(a)!
Always consult a physician about ANY new supplement or changes to your existing health habits. No two people are alike. My experience cannot be used to predict yours!
Regards,
HeartHawk
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By Chuck— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 08/01/08
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