Can I take omega-3 together with other sports supplements?
Kindest,
In general, athletes can take Omega 3 together with other supplements; the only possible contraindication is combining it with active ingredients that reduce the blood's ability to clot (such as the ingredients in antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications).
The reason for this contraindication lies in the fact that Omega 3s also have anti-aggregating properties; this means that they counteract the natural ability of platelets to bind together and therefore:
- on the one hand, they prevent the formation of dangerous blood clots that could lead to thrombosis;
- On the other hand, they increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
In reality, several clinical studies have not found a concrete risk of bleeding due to the combination of Omega 3 and anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. However, caution is still advised.
The most common supplements for athletes, such as those based on protein powder, creatine, branched-chain amino acids, magnesium, and potassium, are not associated with anticoagulant or antiplatelet effects. In any case, for maximum safety, I recommend that you consult with your nutritionist or doctor about any possible incompatibility between Omega 3 and other products or medications you are taking.
Given that some research suggests that simultaneous intake of iron (in the form of ferrous sulfate) could hinder the anti-inflammatory activity of Omega 3, I suggest that you take iron and Omega 3 supplements separately.
I would also remind you to bear in mind two more specific contraindications for Omega 3 supplements:
- fish allergy, in the case of products containing fish oil or cod liver oil;
- allergy to shellfish, in the case of krill oil products.
If you suffer from one of these allergies, you can opt to take Omega 3 from microalgae: these are the same molecules (EPA and DHA) found in oils obtained from fish and krill, which are suitable for sports supplementation.
Finally, I would like to remind you that Omega 3 is considered safe up to a maximum daily dose of 5 grams in total.
Sincerely,
Dr. Silvia Soligon, PhD
Nutritionist
Bibliographic references:
Gholamhosseinian A, Abbasalipourkabir R, Ziamajidi N, Sayadi M, Sayadi K. The anti-inflammatory effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids dramatically decreases by iron in the hippocampus of diabetic rats. Life Sci. 2020 Mar 15;245:117393. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117393
Krupa KN, Fritz K, Parmar M. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. [Updated February 28, 2024]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; January 2025. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564314/
Skulas-Ray AC, Wilson PWF, Harris WS, Brinton EA, Kris-Etherton PM, Richter CK, Jacobson TA, Engler MB, Miller M, Robinson JG, Blum CB, Rodriguez-Leyva D, de Ferranti SD, Welty FK; American Heart Association Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and Council on Clinical Cardiology. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019 Sep 17;140(12):e673-e691. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000709
