before they eat any fish caught by friends and family
that the local stream or lake is considered low in
mercury.
Conflicting information exists whether it is safe
for patients with macular degeneration to take omega-
3 fatty acids in supplement form. Until more data
becomes available, it is better for people with macular
degeneration to receive their omega-3 fatty acids from
the food they eat.
Side effects
Fish oil supplements can cause diarrhea and gas.
Also, the fish oil capsules tend to have a fishy
aftertaste.
Interactions
Although there are no significant drug interac-
tions associated with eating foods containing omega-
3 fatty acids, patients who are being treated with
blood-thinning medications should not take omega-3
fatty acid supplements without seeking the advice of
their physicians. Excessive bleeding could result. For
the same reason, some patients who plan to take more
than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids in supplement
form should first seek the approval of their physicians.
Resources
PERIODICALS
Albert, C. M., Hennekens, C. H., O’Donnell, C. J., et al.
‘‘Fish consumption and risk of sudden cardiac death.’’
Journal of the American Medical Association. 279
(1998): 23–28.
Covington, M. B. ‘‘Omega-3 fatty acids.’’American Family
Physician. 70 (2004): 133–140.
Harris, W. S. ‘‘N-3 fatty acids and serum lipoproteins:
human studies.’’American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
65 (1997): 1645–1654.
Hites, R. A., Foran, J. A., Carpenter, D. O., et al. ‘‘Global
assessment of organic contaminants in farmed salmon.’’
Science. 303 (1997): 226–229.
Kris-Etherton, P. M., Harris, W. S., Appel, L. J., and
American Heart Association Nutrition Committee.
‘‘Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and
cardiovascular disease.’’Circulation. 106 (2003): 2747–
2757.
Kris-Etherton, P. M., Taylor, D. S., Yu-Poth, S., et al.
‘‘Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the food chain in the
United States. ’’American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
71 (2000): 1795–1885.
Oh, R. ‘‘Practical applications of fish oil (omega-3 fatty
acids) in primary.’’The Journal of the American Board
of Family Practice. 18 (2005): 28–36.
Ornish, Dean, and Oz, Mehmet. ‘‘Caution: Strong at
Heart.’’O: The Oprah Magazine.November
2002:163–168.
ORGANIZATION
American Cancer Society. ‘‘Is Salmon Safe?’’American
Cancer Society. 28 Jan 2004 American Cancer Society.
24 Feb 2005<http://www.cancer.org/.>
American Heart Association. ‘‘American Heart Association
Recommendation: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.’’
American Heart Association. 2005 American Heart
Association. 22 Feb 2005<http://www.americanheart
.org/.>
Health and Age. ‘‘Omega-3 Fatty Acids.’’Health and Age.
2005 [cited 22 Feb 2005].<http://www.healthandage.
com/html/res/com/ConsSupplements/Omega3Fatty
Acidscs.html.>
Kris-Etherton, P. M., Harris, W. S., Appel, L. J., and
American Heart Association Nutrition Committee.
‘‘American Heart Association Statement: New Guide-
lines Focus on Fish, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids.’’
American Heart Association. 18 November 2002
American Heart Association. 22 Feb 2005<http://www
.americanheart.org/.>
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ‘‘What You Need to
Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish.’’U.S. Food
and Drug Administration. March 2004 U.S. Food and
Drug Administration. 22 Feb 2005<http://www.cfsan
.fda.gov/dms/admehg3.html.>Lee Ann ParadiseOptifast
Definition
Optifast is an all liquid diet. It is intended for
significant weight loss in a short period of time, is
intended only for the extremely obese, and must be
completed under the supervision of a trained
physician.Origins
Optifast is a line of products and an associated
diet plan produced by the Novartis Medical Nutrition
Corporation. The company is headquartered in Basel,
Switzerland and produces many different pharma-
ceutical and general nutrition products including
Gerber baby food. According to Novartis, since the
company introduced Optifast in 1974, more than one
million people have used the diet. It was the first all
liquid very-low calorie physician monitored diet to be
available commercially. Although the Optifast line
began with pre-made drinks, it has grown to include
soup mixes and nutrition bars. The company has also
branched out to produce products and associated dietOptifast