How to Remove Fish Oil Smell

One of the unpleasant aspects associated with taking fish oil pills is the odor they can leave on your skin, hair and clothing. You can get rid of this fish oil smell using vinegar and lemon juice.

To get rid of a fish oil smell from in the hair, usually a simple shampooing will do the trick. If this doesn't work, shampoo a second or third time. Another method is to rub lemon juice through the hair, and then allow it to soak in for 10 minutes. Afterwards, shampoo the hair.

If you get the odor on your hands, you can remove it with lemon juice. This involves cutting a lemon into wedges, squeezing the juice on your hands, and then rinsing with water. An alternative method consists of rubbing your hands with toothpaste and then washing them with soap and water. A third way to remove the smell is to rub vinegar on your hands.

Getting the fish oil smell out of clothes is a process that can start with letting the garments dry in direct sunlight before putting them in the washing machine. A second method involves putting the garments in a mixture of 20 parts water and one part vinegar. Soak them for 15 minutes and then launder.

The National Institutes of Health reports that the common side effects of fish oil supplements are usually mild. These include gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, odorous perspiration, headache, heartburn, bad breath and an unpleasant taste.

When taken as directed, fish oil is generally safe. Higher doses can cause bleeding and possibly increase the risk of stroke, warns the Mayo Clinic.

Read More: 4 Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements — and 3 Risks You Should Know About

According to the Arthritis Foundation, the following tips can make taking fish pills less unpleasant:

• Keep the pills in the freezer, so the oil will break down more slowly in the stomach. This should decrease the aftertaste.
• Choose pills with an enteric coating, which delays their digestion until they reach the intestine.
• Take the pills with a meal.
• If you take one dose per day, divide it into two doses, so the stomach has a smaller amount to handle with each ingestion.
• Choose a supplement made by a well-known, reputable company. In other words, avoid the cheaper pills.
• Look for a product with a formula that includes lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fat.

Fish oil contains docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids associated with an array of positive wellness effects. Harvard Health says that foods with these nutrients are very healthy, but evidence of benefits from taking the supplements is inconsistent for cardiovascular disease.

Studies on fish oil for cancer are mixed, with some indicating a possible anticancer advantage and others showing no benefit. Strong evidence indicates that the supplement decreases triglycerides, but the effect on cholesterol is mixed, states the Mayo Clinic. No research suggests that it helps with sexual functions.

The Mayo Clinic notes that multiple studies show modest reductions in blood pressure from taking fish oil pills. This advantage may be greater for people with moderate to high blood pressure than for those with mildly elevated blood pressure.

Read More: How Long Does It Take for Fish Oil to Work?

Research indicates that a fish oil supplement may reduce the morning stiffness, pain and joint tenderness of people with rheumatoid arthritis. The benefit is usually modest, but it may lessen the need for anti-inflammatory drugs, all of which have more serious side effects.