Let’s face it, making a decision about fish oil quality gets harder every day, there are hundreds of brands to choose from and they are heavily promoted on the Internet in pharmacies and supermarkets.
However there are only a few key points you need to keep in mind when trying to figure out what makes one line of omega-3 fatty acid capsules better than the others.
Let’s look at these 5 points a little closer:
1 – Obviously the end product is determined by the raw materials used in making it.
Therefore, it makes sense to source top quality oil from the best oily fish caught in clean unpolluted cold deep sea waters, unfortunately there are only a few oceans left that haven’t already been contaminated with petroleum based toxins and other pollutants.
2 – The best oil produces use the molecular distillation method to remove impurities from their catch, this is essential to ensure mercury, PCBs and other toxins are eliminated ensuring consumers get the purest omega 3 product possible.
3 – As with all food we consume freshness is essential so you get all of the possible benefits available from eating it.
Processing the catch quickly and as near as possible to where it’s caught makes good sense so it can’t go off and become rancid. As it happens this is not possible for most of the processors because their plants can be hundreds if not thousands of miles away. This means they have to freeze the fish so it doesn’t go off before they have transferred it to their processing plant.
4 – Providing we have already determined the supplement is fresh and pure, the next criteria we should look at to determine the fish oil quality is the amount of DHA and EPA fatty acid contained in each capsule, which after all is what gives you the health benefits.
Many products on the market have lots of fish oil but little fatty acid; often they have more EPA than DHA, which is not the optimal combination because it’s easier for your body to convert DHA to EPA when it needs it than visa versa.
5 – The final issue is can you afford to buy it, there’s no point in having the best quality product if you can’t afford it.
So when you’re evaluating whether the fish oil supplements you are thinking of buying are good value for money — keep in mind the 4 points mentioned above which should help you make the wisest and best possible decision.
If your interested to understand more about fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids, visit my website below.
Discover the best available today.
John P. Stevens is a long time user; researcher and writer on health issues particularly fish oil and natural supplements. He only recommends natural substances that are extremely effective and 100% safe to use. To learn more about the many benefits of fish oil, Go to ==> today.
Let’s face it. Some omega 3 sources are plentiful. Others are limited. You see, there are several different long chained omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and they are present in different foods.
The most abundant is alpha-linolenic acid or ALA. It is found in plant foods, vegetable oils, nuts, olives and edible seeds.
ALA is still listed as the only “essential” omega-3 in some books, because the human body can convert it into the others. But, most scientists, researchers and other experts have come to the conclusion that the conversion process is too limited to be considered efficient.
A person might not suffer from an obvious disease if they consumed only ALA, but they would likely suffer from long-term health problems and minor or major unexplained illnesses, including emotional disorders like depression.
Children are more likely to suffer from attention deficit disorders and learning problems if their only dietary omega-3 is ALA. They are also more likely to suffer from allergies and asthma, if their mother does not have a healthy intake of all of the different sources of omega 3 fatty acids during pregnancy.
Research has proven that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the longest of the long-chained polyunsaturated fats, is essential for normal brain development during infancy and early childhood. That’s why most infant formulas and a number of baby foods are fortified with DHA.
It is estimated that the body can convert between 2-5% of ALA consumed into DHA, but that is only an estimate. It is believed that some people may lack the innate ability to convert any ALA to DHA. It is known that supplemental ALA does not correct low blood levels of DHA.
So, relying on the conversion process and consuming only omega 3 sources that provide ALA is a mistake. DHA is not the only important fatty acid. Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA is important, too. Both are necessary for normal brain function and the repair of cellular membranes. So, where do you find EPA and DHA?
The only good source of both is fish. Some types of seafood are good choices, too. But, you’ll need to do a little research when planning your meals, because some species, shrimp for example, contains no omega-3s, at all. Others, such as salmon, tuna, sardines and hoki, will provide enough omega-3s to meet your body’s minimum daily requirements and then some.
In addition to include more of the sources of omega 3 in your diet, researchers recommend reducing your intake of omega-6s and saturated fats. The easiest way to do that is through substitution.
Stay away from corn, peanut, sunflower and grape seed.
Substitute fish and seafood for other kinds of meat
Those are just two suggestions, but they are probably the two most important ones.
Bottom line, if you don’t care for fish or seafood, fish oil supplements are good omega 3 sources. They are tasteless and odorless. Taking one or two capsules per day will insure that your brain gets enough EPA and DHA to function normally and that your heart will stay healthy.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.
Having been involved in healthcare for the past 14 years I have seen the consequence of heart disease and how it affects the patient and their families. I want to share with you a quick an easy way to help to you promote good coronary health.
I was on the Coronary Care Unit one evening and talking to a patient who ran a local convenient store. He was in his mid fifties and had had a heart attack. He had to work long hours to keep the store going. It was stressful. Small stores face big competition from large supermarkets. He also smoked and was overweight. The man however, did have a positive outlook. He admitted to me that that everybody kept saying to him that he should know this would happen to him one day. He overworked and was not looking after his health. What had happened to him was a “wake up call with a need to change his lifestyle”.
He decided that he was going to sell his business and property. The profit from the business and the living quarters would be pooled with his private pension, and savings. His wife was in her fifties too and worked for a local doctor’s surgery as an administrator. She had a pension and investments too. They owned a holiday bungalow in Spain and had talked about retirement for some time. He said that these plans would be put into place once he had been discharged from the hospital. He was looking forward to sound advice and help to promote good coronary health.
One of the things that he also admitted was that he had to sort out his eating patterns. Also he there was a need for a nutrition list to assist with him plans a diet. During the day time he would grab a sandwich in between serving customers. The sandwich he admitted would be supplemented by a packet of crisps and often with a pork pie or pastries. He shared an evening meal with his wife but this would be around 8p.m. Heavy meals at that time of night he admitted caused some indigestion and bloating of the stomach.
So this heart attack moved him to take a fresh approach to his lifestyle and a need to change eating habits. He decided he needed to eat and drink the right kinds of foods. The American Heart Association released its revised Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations for 2006 outlining the dietary steps people need to prevent cardio-vascular disease, and other recommendations.
What they have recommended is a further reduction of saturated and trans fats; lowering the intake of food and beverages with sugar; physical activity and weight control; a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains; avoiding tobacco use; and achieving and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Consider the health benefits that science suggests are associated with this drink.
Can help the body cope with stress by keeping it supplied with restorative compounds and minerals
These findings were published in the Journal of Nutrition 1999.
Improves Blood Pressure.
Fights blood and clot formation in arteries and veins.
If you take this drink you will find that it will stabilize blood sugars; food can be used as energy rather than stored as fat.
Is rich in antioxidants, vital to combat disease and so keep us in optimum health and wellness.
Most of us work long hours to earn our income. We spend a lot of our lives working and I strongly believe that when we reach our fifties we deserve to retire if we wish too. So many people have worked to this age and sadly have a heart attack and die. They never enjoy that retirement which they have worked so hard for. There is more information available to you if you visit
Hi, and thank you very much for visiting my bio.
I have had been involved in healthcare for the past 14 years. In this time I have developed a keen interest in nutritional food, drink and vitamin supplements. This interest has encourged me to find out how my discoveries can enchance health and wellness.
I sincerely hope that the articles I have written will be helpful in your quest for better health and wellness.
I share my life with my partner and we enjoy doing in our free time, travelling, walking,exploring and watersports.
By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have an excellent grasp on how to identify and understand a quality fish oil review and will know how you can use one of these excellent tools to not only lead you to the best product to suit your needs, but also to save you loads of time and money.
A fish oil review is just like any other review, and if used properly, can save you a lot of time and hassle by quickly cutting through poorly made products, and leaving the premium ones to rise to the top.
An individual who conducts a fish oil review will typically set out to test different products either by purchasing them all, or using samples. Once this is done, the reviewer tries each brand and then reports the personal experiences with the products in an organized comparative format for you to look at. The information should be as unbiased as possible, although this can be very hard to achieve since personal tastes can vary so much.
Here are some important things you need to be diligent about:
Make Sure the People Reporting on the Fish Oil Review are Credible
Have they used the supplements themselves? Is their information articulated in a specific and knowledgeable manner? Does the reviewer make claims that can be quickly verified by doing a search on Google, or does the reviewer make claims that seem dubious?
The following are the 5 essential topics that must be addressed by the reviewer. If you don’t see these topics, don’t bother reading the review. These topics are:
Purity
When it comes to health products, you can never underestimate the importance of purity in the product. Purity is absolutely the most important aspect of fish oil and should never be overlooked for any reason because your health can be impacted. A quality fish oil review will address this issue head on and will openly talk about how purification processes differ between reviewed companies. Freshness
Freshness is another essential topic to any good fish oil review. The reviewer should openly discuss any pros, cons, and best practices regarding freshness in a review, no exceptions.
Transparency
A quality fish oil review should not only cover the product in depth, but should also cover the company that manufactures the product. Does the reviewer discuss customer testimonials, customer support, awards and offer comparisons to other reviewed companies? Does the reviewer mention research practices, inspection practices and other health-related policies? Does the reviewer offer a comparative discussion covering how these differ from company to company? A company should always keep its activities open to public view, especially when it comes to your health. A responsible reviewer will understand this and make it a point to address this important topic in an unbiased manner.
Customer Testimonials
A good fish oil review will mention a company’s credibility and point toward customer testimonials. Since no one speaks the truth like one customer to another, specific testimonials can carry a lot of weight. A good reviewer will make note of those companies that have bragging rights when it comes to customer satisfaction and use them well in the review.
Price
Any good fish oil review always covers the topic of cost. A good review usually mentions any current or ongoing company promotions and draws conclusions about value. Is product A better than product B because it’s twice the cost? Is product C worth the extra cost because it has a specific ingredient? These are the questions a good review will address. Only opinions can be offered, but sometimes hearing these opinions voiced openly can help you arrive at your own conclusions more effectively.
Now that you’re armed with this information you will be quickly able to tell the difference between a good fish oil review and a bogus one. A good review has one goal: to provide you with accurate information based on personal experience. If this element is absent, it’s time to move on to another offer.
To learn more about my pharmaceutical grade fish oil review, please visit my website today.
Ken Corley is an avid supporter of using all natural approaches to every facet of life; from the food we eat, the treatments we use, to the way we exercise. Ken enjoys introducing others to the pharmaceutical grade fish oils he supports, reviews and uses daily at:
Visit his site to learn more about the all natural fish oils he reviews at:
I don’t know you, but I am willing to bet that if you or a loved one is depressed right now, you’d be willing to take a look at the possible remedies available to you. This topic strikes a personal chord with me as depression runs in my family. Can fish oil for depression work? I absolutely believe it can. However, don’t take my word for it. Read the research and the rest of this article, and you’ll be able to determine if in fact fish oil for depression is a viable option.
It seems like every time we turn our heads, there is some new medication, fad, gimmick or supplement claiming it’s the magic bullet cure for chronic conditions like depression.
The reality is, very few are able to live up to their claims. The good news is that some actually do deserve tremendous praise. Fish oil supplements are one of them.
If you’ve been depressed, you know that it’s one of the worst things you can experience. Getting out of bed in the morning is a chore in itself. Most days it feels like you have to put in three times the effort just to stay on task. You can’t focus, you barely eat (or eat too much), you lose your motivation, your sex drive is nonexistent and life just seems pointless. Not to mention crying spells, anger and isolation. Any hope for brighter days and an exciting future seems to completely diminish. I’ve been there.
It is estimated that 14 million (5%) of America’s population struggles with depression in various forms and severity. It is interesting to note that the incidences of depression have increased over the same time period there has been a decrease in fish and fish oil consumption. Is this just a coincidence? I don’t think it is. It has been well-documented that high doses of long-chain omega-3 fish oil supplements have a boosting effect on the serotonin levels in the brain. This is a known fact. In some older studies involving giving high dosages of fish oil supplements to dogs, it was found that there was an increase in serotonin in the frontal cortex.
The Japan Factor
The number of depressed people in Japan is only a fraction of what we would find in America or other countries with low fish consumption. One key difference to note other than the numbers is the fact that the Japanese eat a tremendous amount of fish daily in comparison to those countries with growing numbers of depressed citizens. Is it that they have better genes? It’s possible, but impossible to conclude at this point. Is it that there has been some nondisclosure of depressive episodes in Japan in comparison to America? This is also possible due to cultural differences. The likely reason is that the Japanese simply have a higher and more continuous intake of omega-3 in their diets. In addition to this, Japanese diets are considerably low in omega-6, which has been shown to have negative effects on mental and physical health when not balanced with omega-3 intake. The Harvard Experiment
You may have heard of Andrew Stoll and his fish oil for depression experiment carried out at Harvard University. The experiment involved giving one group of patients with bipolar depression high doses of fish oil supplements, and giving the other group an olive oil placebo. The experiment was set to last nine months.
The Results
After four short months the experiment was halted because the differences between the group taking the fish oil for depression and the group taking the placebo were so vast it was deemed unethical to continue. From these results it was concluded that the group taking the fish oil supplements experienced an increase in serotonin and an increase in blood flow to the brain which would provide a better distribution of nutrients like oxygen and glucose leading to better mental function and capacity. It was concluded that fish oil for depression was indeed a viable option in this particular scenario.
Were the fish oil supplements to thank for this tremendous success? Although the answer will differ with opinions, it wouldn’t seem ludicrous to think that it was.
In a more recent study conducted over a two year period it was “found that both a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fat and a low level of DHA in the blood predicted suicidal behavior in people with major depression” (Tribole p 100).
In other words, if you’re depressed, your goal is to decrease your omega-6 intake and increase your omega-3 intake. You can do a fast search on the internet for the common sources of omega-6 fats, and you already know that fish oil supplements are hands down the best way to get omega-3.
Now that you’re armed with this information, you should be able to determine if fish oil for depression is a good alternative for you. In my personal experienced with depression, it sure beat the synthetic medication alternatives. Either way, you should consult with your doctor before beginning any treatment or taking fish oil for depression. Even though it is impossible at this point to conclusively determine that fish oil supplements are responsible for decreases in depression, the evidence seems to overwhelmingly point in that direction.
To learn more about the fish oil supplements I take daily to help my depression, visit my website today.
Ken Corley is an avid supporter of using all natural approaches to every facet of life; from the food we eat, the treatments we use, to the way we exercise. Ken enjoys introducing others to the all natural products and supplements he supports and uses daily at:
Visit his site to learn more about the all natural fish oils, supplements and vitamins that he uses at:
By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have an excellent idea of what to start looking for with the best fish oil supplements.
What are the best fish oil supplements to go with? I get asked this question often, so I decided to dedicate this brief article to answering the market’s demand for relevant information on this topic.
Purity
When looking for fish oil supplements to buy, it is important to consider the purity of the oil. What do I mean by purity? Before a fish’s skin is pressed for its oil, it has lived in the ocean for a time. During its life, certain impurities like mercury can accumulate. While this is entirely normal, it’s not at all desirable because of the concerns that surround mercury poisoning. You’ll want to make sure that the fish oil supplements you consider have been put through a process known as “molecular distillation”. This process reduces impurity levels to near zero and makes the fish oil supplements safe to ingest.
There are four standards of purification levels fish oil supplements must pass through in order to be deemed safe enough to ingest. These standards are:
• International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) • Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) • European Pharmacopoeia • Norwegian Medicinal Standard
Ideally, the fish oil you consider should have standards greater than, or equal to, all four of these standards depending on where you are buying your fish oil supplements from.
When looking for the best fish oil to buy, you also should check the supplier’s Certificate of Analysis. This is an official statement of the measured impurities in the particular fish oil supplements you’re looking at. You’ll want to aim for fish oil supplements that offer verified, non-detectable levels of pollutants. Certain oceans are known for having low pollution levels due to the absence of commercial activity in nearby areas. When choosing fish oil supplements, you’ll want to verify where they were made. Bonus points should be given to companies that manufacture their oil from fish in the South Seas. Freshness
Freshness is extremely important when considering the best fish oil supplements to buy. What people don’t often realize is that as fish oil sits unused, or is manufactured poorly, it can become oxidized and can actually negate what you’re aiming to accomplish.
When you purchase fish oil supplements, the first thing you should look for is the company’s Certificate of Analysis and verify the measured oxidation levels. You should look for the word “TOTOX” on the certificate which is an abbreviation for “total oxidation”. It is comprised of two numbers and it is important to make sure that both of these numbers are present on the certificate as some companies try to show the better of the two and pass the product off as “safe” while the other number that you don’t see is off the charts. If these numbers are near zero, the product is completely safe to ingest. Also, fish oil supplements should never have any rancid odors or smells. If this is the case, avoid that product completely. The acceptable standard for TOTOX scores are typically 19-24. Anywhere in this range is acceptable, although if you can find products lower than 19, the better off you are.
It is also noteworthy to look at whether the purity the fish oil supplements was verified by external sources. While this is not essential, it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Transparency
Have you ever had that feeling while browsing a website or visiting a store that the owner wasn’t being 100% honest with you? You may have asked some tough questions that forced the owner to reveal his hand of cards and all of a sudden he’s trying to get rid of you like you have the plague. Well, the chances are the owner had something to hide. I’ve seen this kind of behavior quite frequently with different companies. You’ll always want to purchase fish oil supplements from a company that is transparent. The ideal company will document everything so consumers can have their concerns addressed. All of their certificates, customer testimonials, research results and ingredients are publicly posted on their site or inside the store to review.
Customer Testimonials
Simply put, no one wants to buy a product that can’t offer some excellent, credible customer testimonials. No one speaks better truth than one customer to another. When considering fish oil supplements, work with a company that can prove customer satisfaction to you by showing you several examples of testimonials. The testimonials should be genuine and specific.
Price
Many times companies that cannot substantiate their claims about purity and freshness will charge up to twice as much for their product. “Why do they do that?” you ask. One would think that the worse a product is, the less expensive it would be. That’s exactly why they do it. It’s called “perceived value”. If I tell you the price is low, you’ll think it’s a bad product. If I tell you it’s expensive, you’ll think it’s a premium product. This is an old marketing trick that’s been used many times very effectively. Our minds tend to equate spending more money with achieving higher quality. Often, higher prices mask hidden downsides. Don’t fall for this. Your health is far too precious.
To learn more about the premium fish oil supplements I use daily, please visit my website today.
Ken Corley is an avid supporter of using all natural approaches to every facet of life; from the food we eat, the treatments we use, to the way we exercise. Ken enjoys introducing others to the all natural products and supplements he supports and uses daily at:
Visit his site to learn more about the all natural fish oils, supplements and vitamins that he uses at:
The topic of fish oil and ADHD has been often discussed lately in the news, magazines and on the internet. By the time you finish reading this, you’ll have a better understanding of how the use of fish oil impacted a group of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and also why fish oil and ADHD are so often used together in the same sentence. From the findings of this research you will be able to draw your own conclusions on whether fish oil is an effective means of treating ADHD and if it is a course of action you would want to take in your own life either with yourself, or a loved one.
ADHD has perplexed many researchers, doctors, behaviorists, therapists and dietitians for decades. It has received growing attention in recent years as the estimated number of affected children has been estimated to be 3-5%. Most notably, the condition has reached epidemic proportions with American children. It is thought that ADHD is caused by low levels of the brain chemical dopamine, and that if levels of this chemical could be restored either by synthetic or natural means, the condition could be reversed or at the very least, controlled. Ritalin has been the preferred method of treatment for many doctors over the years, and its effectiveness has been attributed to increased dopamine levels the medication causes.
I will refer to something called the AA/EPA ratio in the next few paragraphs. Essentially what this measures is the ratio of the harmful omega-6 acids to the beneficial omega-3 acids. The lower this number is for a person, the better. It has been found that many people with brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, dyslexia, stroke and multiple sclerosis have higher ratios than those that don’t, leading doctors and researchers to believe that omega 3 deficiency and higher levels of omega 6’s in the diet is the cause, or at the very least a contributing factor for many of the brain disorders and chronic conditions we see today. Such findings are directing many in the medical profession to pay closer attention to the subject of fish oil and ADHD.
Researcher Dr. Barry Sears and colleague Rene Espy engaged in a research experiment where a group of children with ADHD were given high doses of fish oil (10-20 grams) while simultaneously controlling insulin levels in all children for eight weeks.
The results were astounding. After a period of only a few weeks, it was noted that “these children’s ability to concentrate increased dramatically” (Sears 145). It was also noted that there were “positive changes in behavior both in school and at home” (Sears 145). The children’s blood was measured at the start of the experiment and it was determined that the average AA/EPA ratio was around 22. It should also be noted that Japanese children have AA/EPA ratios of around 1.5. Why the comparison to Japanese children? The reason is because Japanese children have a much higher intake of omega 3’s from fish in their diet than their American counterparts, and the average AA/EPA ratio for them is 1.5.
After the eight week experiment the children’s blood was measured again and it was found that the average AA/EPA ratio was as low as 3, leading the researchers to believe the reduction in ADHD symptoms of lack of concentration and poor focus were directly due to the high levels of fish oil used in the diet.
Dr. Sears also noted that at the end of the eight week experiment, most of the children resorted back to their old eating habits, stopped taking fish oil, and then rapidly deteriorated back to their previous conditions.
The findings demonstrated that a lower AA/EPA ratio is achieved by reducing omega 6’s in the diet, and increasing omega 3’s via fish oil. The conclusions to draw from this experiment are that a lower AA/EPA ratio is likely responsible for a reduction in ADHD symptoms and that if the fish oil was to be continuously administered every day, the symptoms of ADHD would either be more manageable or nonexistent.
These results beg the question: If the children continued on the regimen beyond the eight week trial, would the benefits have persisted?
So, what’s your goal? Your goal is to determine where you stand on the topic of fish oil and ADHD. Also, to use this information to determine if using fish oil could possibly improve your quality of life or the quality of life of a loved one by reducing or eliminating the effects of ADHD. Although the experiment is far from conclusive, the results are astounding and shed tremendous light on the miracle of fish oil in the treatment of ADHD. It should also be noted that there have been many similar experiments conducted with comparable results.
To learn more about the fish oil I use daily to keep my AA/EPA ratio number good, visit my website today!
Ken Corley is an avid supporter of using all natural approaches to every facet of life; from the food we eat, the treatments we use, to the way we exercise. Ken enjoys introducing others to the all natural products and supplements he supports and uses daily at:
Visit his site to learn more about the all natural fish oils, supplements and vitamins that he uses at:
By the time you finish reading this, you’ll have a great understanding of what makes pharmaceutical grade fish oil the safest and most effective fish oil on the market, and why it can be unhealthy to choose otherwise.
The term “pharmaceutical grade fish oil” was coined by Dr. Barry Sears, a staunch advocate for rigorous testing and experimenting involving high doses of ultra-pure omega 3 supplements. His research and findings are nothing short of amazing, and make a very compelling case for the daily use of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids in the diet.
Health Food Grade Fish Oil
This type of fish oil is the kind seen on the shelves in stores. It’s important to know these are not pharmaceutical grade omega 3 oils because of the way they’re manufactured. Often they contain high amounts of toxic chemicals like PCBs, dioxin and mercury which are all extremely toxic to human beings.
As fish exist in the wild, the amount of toxins their skins absorb is directly related to the pollution levels in their regions of the ocean. Often, the manufacturers of health food grade oils don’t do the best job at making attempts to purify them or extract them from good fish sources.
The fish oil supplement standards in the United States are dangerously lax and “allow manufacturers to put whatever they want on a product label as long as it doesn’t promise to cure or prevent a particular disease” (Sears p 95). This is disconcerting to say the least. Over-consumption of health food grade oils can quickly lead to nasty side effects like cramps, GI issues, mercury poisoning and exposure to carcinogens like PCBs and dioxin.
Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil
Based on the downsides of health food grade fish oil, you probably clearly see the need for a purer alternative. What makes an omega 3 oil “pharmaceutical grade”? Simply put, you can define an omega 3 oil as “pharmaceutical grade” once it passes ultra-stringent purity standards. These standards require impurities to be measured and verified by a third party and the results printed on a Certificate of Analysis for public view. Pharmaceutical grade fish oil also needs to be comprised of more than 60% total omega 3 fatty acids and have impurities so low that they’re either nearly, or completely undetectable in order to qualify.
Many different companies who cannot substantiate their purity claims will mark up their products with “pharmaceutical grade” on the labels in an attempt to sell more products. It’s important you see through this, and first check for the company’s Certificate of Analysis. If the company you’re working with cannot, or will not provide this information for you then something is very wrong. Most companies that offer pharmaceutical grade oils have their Certificate of Analysis proudly posted on their websites to prove their claims. For your reference, and I hope this isn’t too scientific, here are the standards that need to be followed in order to consider a fish oil pharmaceutical grade:
• Total Long-Chain Omega 3 Fatty Acids: More than 60% of the total fatty acids • Mercury: Less than 10 parts per billion • PCBs: Less than 30 parts per billion • Dioxin: Less than 1 part per trillion
So you can see, pharmaceutical grade fish oil standards are literally thousands of times more stringent than the requirements for standard health food grade oil, and it is the adherence to these standards – verified by the Certificate of Analysis – that allows an omega 3 oil to be considered pharmaceutical grade.
Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, it’s time to make your move and start doing some smart shopping for fish oil. You know what to look for and you know what to avoid, and always remember that the Certificate of Analysis is your proof of purity and guiding light to choosing the right products.
To learn more about the pharmaceutical grade fish oil I use daily, please visit my website today.
Ken Corley is an avid supporter of using all natural approaches to every facet of life; from the food we eat, the treatments we use, to the way we exercise. Ken enjoys introducing others to the all natural products and supplements he supports and uses daily at:
Visit his site to learn more about the all natural fish oils, supplements and vitamins that he uses at:
Lets face it, the evidence from very credible sources is overwhelmingly positive about the benefits of taking fish oil for heart health.
If you don’t get enough omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA you could be putting your heart health at risk. They are essential fatty acids necessary for human health, which aren’t readily produced by your body.
Therefore you need to add these fatty acids to your food intake. The two best ways of doing this is by increasing your weekly consumption of the best oily fish that is high in omega 3, or supplement your diet with capsules taken daily.
The are a couple of downsides to consuming more fish, the first is the cost — not so many years ago eating fish was a pretty inexpensive meal, however today it is quite expensive to buy especially when you will need to eat it 2 to 3 times a week to get the amount omega 3 fatty acids necessary.
The second issue I have a problem with is the quality of the fish. Most supposedly fresh fish consumed is not fresh off the boat, it is likely to be frozen and was probably caught thousands of miles away. Therefore you have no control over its quality, and also no way of knowing how fresh it is, and whether or not it contains any pollutants like PCB’s, heavy metals or other toxins.
If your intention is to increase your intake of fish oil for heart health, then the easiest and most sensible way to do this is to take omega 3 supplements, which have been specifically produced to give you the correct dosage of DHA and EPA fatty acids on a daily basis.
There is more to producing supplements than at first meets the eye, buying any old capsule is not the answer — there are a couple of important issues you need to think about.
Firstly the amount of DHA compared to EPA is important. It’s quite easy for DHA to be converted by your body into EPA if need be, however is it far more difficult to be done the other way around. Therefore your capsule should contain more DHA.
Secondly any good manufacturer will supply plenty of facts and information usually on their website as to which fish they catch and use, which ocean they are caught, which method of oil processing they use that determines how pure the fatty acid you are going to consume is.
If your going to be sensible enough to start consuming more omega 3 fatty acid fish oil for heart health, then make sure you get the best available product that gives you the correct dosage so you get the most benefits.
To learn more about the fish oil supplements I choose to take daily and believe to be the best and good value for money, visit my website below.
Discover the best available today.
John P. Stevens is a long time user, researcher and writer on Omega3 fatty acid fish oil capsules that are available on the market today. He only recommends products that are extremely effective and 100% safe to use. To Learn more about the many benefits of fish oil, Go to ==> today
Let’s face it. If you go shopping for omega3 oils, you will see that there are a number of choices. Basically, that’s because there are a number of different omega-3 fatty acids. Here’s a look at the different ones, where you’ll find them and the health benefits associated with each.
Alpha-linolenic Acid—ALA
Also known as 18:3 (n-3), because of its 18-carbon chain and three double bonds, it is the shortest of the long chained polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. It is still considered, by some, to be the only “essential” omega-3, because the body can elongate it to form the others.
The problems with relying totally on the elongation process are these:
It is inefficient; only a small percentage is converted
ALA, itself, is needed by the body; conversion to the other fatty acids will only occur after the body’s needs for ALA have been met
Even though they are polyunsaturated, too much fat in the diet contributes to health problems.
Omega3 oils that provide ALA include those derived from vegetables and seeds. Good sources include canola and olive oils. Peanut, sunflower, grape seed and cottonseed contain none or almost none. Corn oil contains too many omega-6s to be considered a good choice, because omega-6s compete for conversion and contribute to inflammation.
Docosapentaenoic acid—DPA
Not too much is known about DPA. It is an intermediary in the conversion of ALA to EPA and then to DHA. It is found in some coldwater fish and other marine life. It is believed to contribute to the overall cardiovascular health seen in the Greenland Eskimos. Alaskan salmon may contain some. A fish called the New Zealand hoki is a good source. Other omega3 oils do not contain DPA.
Eicosapentaenoic acid—EPA
EPA is essential for the formation of various hormones and cellular membranes. It is beneficial in treating depression, both alone and when combined with DHA. It has been recommended for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and Huntington’s disease. One researcher, Ralph Holman, states that both EPA and DHA are important to the brain. DHA is needed to support the brain’s structure, he says. EPA is needed to support its function.
Other health benefits associated with omega3 oils containing EPA include superior cardiovascular function, a reduction in systematic inflammation and possibly a reduced risk of cancer.
The only dietary sources of EPA are some types of fish and seafood, although a small amount is found in some varieties of edible seaweed or kelp. Dried Wakame kelp, for example, contains about 10mg per tablespoon.
Docosahexaenoic acid—DHA
The benefits of DHA are mentioned above, although research indicates that it may be even more beneficial than EPA for some purposes, particularly for cardiovascular health. The only dietary sources are fish and seafood. Marine algae contain some and are being grown as a vegan source of the important nutrient.
There are other things that you could learn about omega3 oils. What you have read about here is just the tip of the iceberg.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.
