Can I take omega-3 together with other sports supplements?
Dear Sir/Madam,
In general, athletes can take Omega-3 together with other supplements; the only possible contraindication is the combination with active ingredients that reduce the blood's ability to clot (such as those found in antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications).
The reason for this contraindication lies in the fact that Omega-3 also have antiplatelet properties; this means they counteract the natural ability of platelets to bind together, which implies that:
- on one hand, they help 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 fact, several clinical studies have not found a significant risk of bleeding due to the combination of Omega-3 with anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. However, caution is still advised.
The most common sports supplements, 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 consulting your nutritionist or doctor about any potential incompatibility between Omega-3 and other products or medications you are taking.
Since some research suggests that taking iron (in the form of ferrous sulfate) at the same time may hinder the anti-inflammatory activity of Omega-3, I suggest, if necessary, taking iron and Omega-3 supplements separately.
Please also keep in mind two more specific contraindications for Omega-3 supplements:
- Fish allergy, in the case of products based on fish oil or cod liver oil;
- Shellfish allergy, in the case of products based on krill oil.
If you have one of these allergies, you can opt for Omega-3 from microalgae: these are the same molecules (EPA and DHA), suitable for sports supplementation, found in oils derived from fish and krill.
Finally, please note that Omega-3 intake is considered safe up to a maximum daily dose of 5 grams in total.
Best regards,
Dr. Silvia Soligon, PhD
Nutritionist
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:
Krupa KN, Fritz K, Parmar M. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. [Updated 2024 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. 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:
