fish oil, poop

[Gavin Harrison]

Dan John has written a few times that fish oil is "self regulating", because you'll stop taking as much when you get a little runny ;p

[Garrett Smith]

Originally Posted by Brandon Oto

High fat content in general gives you runny shit. You get used to it.

Raising fish oil to where one has consistently runny stools means that one is wasting money on fish oil that's going straight to the toilet.

If runny stools happen easily with relatively minor increases in fat intake, there's a gallbladder/bile issue.

[Patrick Skinner]

What do you mean by gallbladder issue? Is this something common with increased fat intake?

[Garrett Smith]

No, it's common with gluten intolerance and nightshade sensitivity.

[Steven Low]

Originally Posted by Garrett Smith

No, it's common with gluten intolerance and nightshade sensitivity.

I believe it's also pretty common if you're switching over from low quality foods to higher quality foods (aka processed to real foods).

Likely due to the same factors as you mentioned though.

Some people I've talked to and I have had some problems dosing the fish oil and intestinal problems when starting to eat more healthily. Probably due to the existing gut flora (which is obviously poor b/c of the processed foods) not liking our food choices + fish oil.

[Garrett Smith]

Originally Posted by Steven Low

I believe it's also pretty common if you're switching over from low quality foods to higher quality foods (aka processed to real foods).

Likely due to the same factors as you mentioned though.

Some people I've talked to and I have had some problems dosing the fish oil and intestinal problems when starting to eat more healthily. Probably due to the existing gut flora (which is obviously poor b/c of the processed foods) not liking our food choices + fish oil.

If starting to eat healthily also includes significant increases in their plant fiber consumption, I'd look there first. Especially with just "normal" diarrhea type symptoms.

If there is froth or an oil slick on the toilet water, it's definitely the excess fat.

[Blair Lowe]

Dr. G, one thing I was wondering about. My mom just had her gallbladder taken out because of gallstones. I was against the idea and pro the idea of her changing her diet but too late now.

She told me she isn't supposed to eat anything fatty anymore. Does that mean a person without a gallbladder cannot take fish oil?

I had given her and my stepdad a huge bottle for christmas with the hopes they would start taking it.

Honestly, I take 6-9g afternoon and night, typically with milk or food. I'm not megadosing any more but I've thought about it. That's roughly 3g of EPA/DHA a day. I should probably take more.

And I just used the can and it wasn't runny at all. TG for veggies to go with all the meat I eat. (milk, eggs, bacon, hamburger).

[Garrett Smith]

Blair,
People (mostly women) who have their gallbladder removed often don't do well with eating fatty foods, that is true.

However, their gallbladder issue was not likely caused by eating too much fat. As Robb Wolf and I have noticed, gallbladders go bad in people with gluten intolerances quite often.

The key idea is that not having a gallbladder does not exempt one from the fact that the body still needs ESSENTIAL (key word there) fatty acids. Their inability to digest them well is the problem.

Supplemental ox bile will solve the problem. Honestly, I think removing someone's gallbladder and not recommending supplemental ox bile (or big doses of lipase) is tantamount to malpractice.

One thing you might tell her that could change her view. I consistently see patients who have had their gallbladder out (and don't supplement afterward) gain major amounts of weight after the surgery...and the timing never seems to be "coincidental".

[Blair Lowe]

Wow, Garrett. My mom is already overweight. A lot of stems from bad knees right now but I'd say mostly lots of f'n carbs called white rice. Rice and potatoes, I was like wtf when I was down there a month ago. Add that to not enough activity over a long period of time.

Yep, I thought it was pretty stupid too.

I will tell her about the ox bile and lipase.

[Garrett Smith]

Blair,
If she wants to use the stuff I recommend, feel free to PM me.