Adding supplements to your daily routine can be a great way to promote your overall health and even help you lose weight. In fact, there are many options out there that experts recommend taking daily if you’re looking to shed pounds. However, it’s important to remember that most supplements can come with adverse effects. While some can be dangerous, there are many that can simply be ineffective—and others could result in weight gain, rather than weight loss, if you’re not careful.
To discover one supplement in particular that could slow your weight loss journey, we spoke to health coach Joanna Wen. She told us that omega-3 supplements could have lead to the opposite of your desired results if you’re taking them for weight loss. Read on to learn more, including how to prevent this.
Omega-3 supplements and weight gain
"One surprising supplement that can lead to unexpected weight gain is omega-3 fatty acids," Wen warns. On one hand, there are plenty of benefits associated with this supplement—it's even oftentimes recommended for weight loss. As Wen notes, "omega-3s are known for their numerous health benefits such as reducing inflammation and improving heart health."
However, just as with any supplement, there are potential risks at hand. Wen warns that despite their reputation for aiding weight loss, omega-3 supplements may also "increase appetite and lead to weight gain if consumed in excess."
Does this mean you should never take omega-3 supplements? Not necessarily. Healthy fats like this are a crucial part of a balanced diet. Wen offers some guidelines for avoiding weight gain while taking omega-3s:
"To avoid weight gain while taking omega-3s, it is important to stick to the recommended dosage and to incorporate regular exercise and a healthy diet," she recommends.
It's also important to remember that there are plenty of ways to get omega-3s without taking a supplement. "Incorporating foods that are high in omega-3s, such as fatty fish, chia seeds, and flaxseeds, can provide similar health benefits while reducing the risk of weight gain," she concludes. Got it!
READ MORE: The Metabolism-Boosting Supplement You Should Be Taking Every Morning
