ANDREW WEIL: No. It contains too much vitamin A, which can be toxic and is more likely than fish oil to have toxic contaminants.

My grandson has Tourette Syndrome, ADD, and OCB. His parents have begun giving him fish oil to help make him less sleepy from his medication. Is fish oil appropriate for a child of nine? If so, how many grams per day?
Marsha Miller
Los Angeles, CA

ANDREW WEIL: Yes, definitely appropriate — not just to reduce sleepiness but to treat the problems. Two to five grams a day would be ok.

Hello Dr. Weil:
I am a huge proponent of Omega-3 and flaxseed oil. Over the years I've experienced numerous benefits in using the oil. Most notably, it has nearly eliminated my allergies. I know that sounds strange but I can trace it directly to flax oil. My question is why do you always list walnuts as the major source of Omega-3? I believe flax oil contains many times more Omega-3 than walnuts. I'm not sure, but I think walnut oil has a lot of Omega-6 in it as well which I know is not very good for you. Thanks for your help with this.
Jamie Springer
Manhattan Beach, CA

ANDREW WEIL: Walnuts are a good Omega-3 source and a familiar food. Most people are unfamiliar with flax. I much prefer freshly ground flax seeds to flax oil. They provide fiber and beneficial phytoestrogens in addition to healthy fats. Flax oil goes rancid quickly; flax seeds do not.

If fish oil is not beneficial for abnormal heart rhythms what do you suggest one take to prevent or treat them? Why is this problem so prevelant in our country today?
Laura Dupre
Nashville, TN

ANDREW WEIL: Supplemental magnesium is very useful — it stabilizes the heart electrically. Cardiac arrhythmias are one aspect of cardiovascular disease, which is widespread in our country as a result of both lifestyle and genetic susceptibility.

Dr. Weil,
Every day I take 1000 mg of Omega 3 and 2000 mg of Flaxseed Oil. When checked in March, Total Cholesterol 239, LDL 108, HDL 115. Should I increase the daily doses?
John Avery
Milwaukee, WI

ANDREW WEIL: You might do better with 2,000 mg of fish oil in place of flax oil. With such high HDL, you are probably fine.

Dr.Weil, I found your article on the fish oils very interesting. I am 15 years old and I have macular degeneration; as part of a study they are having me take DHA daily to see if it helps vision in any way. Based on what you know, do you think that by taking the DHA daily it may in fact help? Thanks!
Sarah
Export, PA

ANDREW WEIL: I do. I would also take a good anti-oxidant supplement.

My wife read that pregnant women shouldn't eat fish because of mercury toxins — can you clarify what types of fish are safe? Also, if a person experiences an irregular pulse — what is the significance of this (is it usually atrial fibrillation?) and is fish oil a safe alternative remedy? Thanks for your time.
Jaime Chaves
San Jose, CA

ANDREW WEIL: The safest Omega-3 sources are sockeye salmon, sardines, and herring. Fish oil supplements are free of mercury and ok in pregnancy. An irregular pulse needs to be diagnosed. If it is atrial fibrillation, treatment is indicated — not fish oil alone.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a year ago and one of the things I was told in the classes I took to care for my diabetes was to take fish oil. Actually, it was for the Omega 3, but it was advised that men stay away from flax seed Omega 3 because of possible prostate issues.
I began taking 1200 mg fish oil once daily and in a few short weeks found it increasingly difficult to urinate. I could not understand why and then realized that my problem coincided with the taking of fish oil. I immediately stopped taking it and my urination problem stopped just as quickly.
Have you heard of this side effect of fish oil and difficulty urinating?
Paul C Brown
Warminster, PA

ANDREW WEIL: No, I have not. Freshly ground flax seed is ok for you — just avoid flax oil.

Dr. Weil,
In your article, June 26, you recommend that almost everyone take two grams of fish oil per day.
1. Is that a total of two grams (2000mg) of EPH + DHA?
2. The fish oil that I am currently using has 715 mg of EPA and 470 mg of DHA per teaspoon.
3. Also, does it matter if the form is liquid or capsule?
4. What is the recommended ratio for EPA to DHA?
Thank you for your help.
Roger Glocke
Tomahawk WI

ANDREW WEIL: 1. Yes.
2. OK.
3. No.
4. We don't know. I generally recommend 3-4 to 1.

Found Dr. Weil's article on fish oils interesting, but lacking specifics on whether fish oil may be taken with baby aspirin (as well as statins, and in my case, Diovan HCT). Received two heart stents 1 1/2 yrs ago, and am now off Plavix.
John Carlucci
Colts Neck, NJ

ANDREW WEIL: Should be fine. Only problem may be with coumadin.

I read the TIME article on the effects of taking fish oil. This is not a question, but my testimony of how taking fish oil has benefited me. I had a disturbingly pounding heart which has beome very quiet since adding fish oil supplement to my daily diet. My blood pressure has lowered, and I have received DRAMATIC pain relief from my diverticular disease. I use Pharmax brand liquid form, one tablespoon per day. It contains essence of orange so is not bad tasting at all. I don't care what JAMA says — it works for me! P.S. My hair and nails have become healthier as well, and I have much less arthritic pain.
Bunny Smith
Palmdale, CA

ANDREW WEIL: Good to hear.

Hi Dr. Weil,
I read with great interest your column on fish oil, and I intend to follow your recommendation of taking 2 grams of fish oil daily. But as you know, with so many, many products on the market it's so difficult to determine quality. Can you please offer a recommendation as to one or two specific fish oil products, or brands? Thank you.
John Depasquale
Newton, MA

ANDREW WEIL: Nordic Naturals, Zone, Weil Lifestyle.

We are taking Omega 369; it is as effective as just fish oil?
Omega 369 contains 8 mg cholesterol — I am taking Mevacor to lower cholesterol. Is this a contradictory situation? Thank you.
Larry Bordeaux
Roseville, CA

ANDREW WEIL: I think you would do better with fish oil. The amount of cholesterol in the product you are taking is not a concern.

I have Psoriasis, and my Primary Physician told me in 2005 to try fish oil for the dried nails etc. I started taking one capsule of fish oil 1000 mg daily. The Psoriasis has not gone but this past February I fell in the bathroom having passed out. All the tests were negative except arrhythmia, which was never noticed in earlier EKG checks. I stopped the fish oil when I heard the news last month. Should I restart the capsules?
Mike Daro
Long Island, NY

ANDREW WEIL: Yes, I would restart and add evening primrose oil 500 mg twice a day.

Thank you so much for your helpful, healthful information in TIME. Is there a difference between fish oil and the fish liver oil in Vitamin D gel caps?
Phyllis Blanchette
Spring Hill, FL

ANDREW WEIL: Yes, fish liver oil contains too much vitamin A.

I take 1000 mg of concentrated fish oil and 300 mg of Omega 3 (3x daily). I have been feeling very achy and sore muscled and feel better when I stop taking the pills. Am I taking too much of this (recommended dosage on label)?
Simon Ullman
Park Ridge, NJ

ANDREW WEIL: Maybe stop the Omega-3 and see how you do.

How can I take fish oil supplements in an easy to swallow medium without taking gelatin tabs made with meat product glycerine?
Barbara Inglis
Huntington, NY

ANDREW WEIL: Try flavored liquid fish oils. You can take them straight or add them to juice.

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