Many people ask about Lovaza side effects, but a better question might be: “Why do I need a prescription fish oil when I can buy it without a prescription?” The answer? You don’t, but the drug companies would like you to think so.
What is Lovaza and what is it used for?
Lovaza is a prescription fish oil medication manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline that is used to treat very high triglyceride (fat) levels. The latest research indicates that triglyicerides are as important as cholesterol in determining whether or not a person is at risk of getting a heart attack or stroke.
Fish oil contains important Omega-3 fatty acids, namely DHA and EPA, that have been clinically shown to reduce triglyceride levels, as well as provide many other health benefits to the body. Lovaza contains high concentrations of both DHA and EPA, approximately 900mg per 1 gram capsule.
What are the Lovaza side effects?
According to the official site, the most common side effects of Lovaza include flu-like symptoms, infections, back pain, skin rashes, upset stomach and a change in your sense of taste.
It can also cause certain digestive issues, including dyspepsia and eructation, chest pain, migraines and respiratory problems.
There are a number of less common Lovaza side effects, as there are with most prescription medications, but it’s important to be aware of them nonetheless.
Do I need to take a prescription fish oil to lower triglycerides?
No, you don’t. There are a number of high quality fish oil supplements on the market, available without a prescription, that can be just as effective. In fact, there is nothing in Lovaza that you can’t find in a top quality Omega-3 fish oil capsule.
So what’s the bottom line?
Lovaza can certainly help lower your triglyceride levels. But consider the following facts before you decide to take it:
1) There is no clinical evidence indicating that Lovaza is any purer or more effective than a comparable, non-prescription fish oil supplement.
2) Too much of a good thing is often a bad thing. The high concentrations of DHA and EPA in Lovaza may only be necessary for those with extremely high triglyceride levels. It is often prescribed for others without this condition, which may be dangerous.
3) It is very expensive, and since you can get fish oil from other sources, it is an unnecessary expense. In some places, it can cost up to $2 per pill. With a recommended dose of 4 pills per day, that’s $8 per day, or $240 per month! Even generic Lovaza if you can find it will cost at least 75 cents per pill. Compare that to about $20 per month for a very high quality fish oil. You can see how it just doesn’t make any sense.
Prescription medications are certainly necessary in many cases. However, this is not one of those cases. There are perfectly good alternatives that cost much less, do not come with Lovaza side effects and most importantly, can lower your triglyceride levels just as effectively.
If you have high triglycerides, or just want to reap the many benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids, look into a high quality fish oil supplement today.
Featured Lovaza Alternative
We’ve been taking an Omega-3 fish oil supplement here at Healthy Heart Guide for many years now. It contains high levels of Omega-3s, including DHA and EPA, from the purest fish sources in the world.
What we like about this particular fish oil is the fact that it has over two and half times the anti-inflammatory capability of regular fish oil, and it is in a natural form that it is more readily absorbed and utilized by the body.
Take a look at this Omega 3 QH Ultra Supplement and discover how you can lower your triglyceride levels without expensive prescription medications.
How Can You Lower Your Trigylcerides Naturally?
Following are some of the important dietary supplements for lowering triglyceride levels:
Fish Oil – By now you’ve certainly heard about the importance of Omega 3 fatty acids in promoting heart health. Doctors and nutritionists have recommended Omega 3’s for years, and recently fish oil has been the most recommended source for the essential Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. These two fatty acids are the most readily absorbed by the body. Read more about fish oil here.
Guggulipid Extract – an ancient herb from India recently shown to lower triglyceride levels as well as reduce cholesterol, two major risk factors for heart disease.
Tumeric Extract – much evidence points to the fact that tumeric may lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Green Tea Extract – green tea is widely used for many medicinal purposes, and has been shown to reduce triglycerides as well as LDL cholesterol, and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. Green tea also has antioxidants that can prevent heart disease, cancer and other illnesses.
As with all health matters, please be sure to speak to your physician before making any decisions. Discuss the potential Lovaza side effects as well as the possiblity of taking an alternative fish oil supplement to lower your triglyceride levels. A prescription medication may be the best choice for you, but it’s important to be aware of alternatives as well.
