hundred and one reasons why people resort to taking fish oil supplements,

whether it be the result of aggressive marketing and commercial campaigns

or simply because it was proven effective by one and word spread like

wildfire about its therapeutic or healing wonders.

Generally, a common view about fish oil supplements is that it gives the

public a sense of security knowing that a particular ‘alternative’ or

‘natural’ health supplement is sourced from a commonly recognized raw

material, for example, an herb possessing healing properties or plant life

known for vitamin and nutrient qualities.

Psychologically, the public is much more at ease knowing that fish oil

supplements are sourced from commonly known raw materials found in the

environment, rather than medication or supplements synthetically or

chemically-generated in pharmaceutical laboratories.

Among the most common popular – yet sometimes debatable – benefits one can

get from fish oil supplements are the following;

An all-natural approach to healing and therapy. People are more comfortable

knowing that alternative approaches to healing and therapy promotes the

human body’s ability to heal itself, and with the introduction of fish oil

supplements could enhance the body’s resistance to disease and illnesses.

Fish oil supplements are good sources of vitamins and minerals needed by

the body. Many experts believe that natural resources of vitamins and

minerals that are commonly found in the environment are more likely to

supplement the body under ‘natural’ conditions.

A cheaper alternative than conventional prescription synthetic health

medicines. Although this claim is a highly debated issue by health buffs

and pharmaceutical hardliners, economics play a key role in determining

this issue. While millions of dollars go into the research and development

of vitamin and mineral substitutes for mass production, cultural and

traditional forces are at play in rallying the cause of alternative

supplements to boost one’s health.

All-natural supplements are safer than conventional medicines. Sometimes

true and sometimes not, researches are still being conducted regarding the

adverse effects of some ‘natural’ remedies and supplements, aside from

promoting healing or therapeutic capabilities.

There is a wide array of choices in the long list of alternative health

supplements, depending on one’s needs for supplementation and therapeutic

needs. From seed to fruit extracts, depending on one’s preference for

taste, health effects or supplementation needs, there are hundreds of

options one can have in the choice for the best fish oil supplements in the

market.

Natural and fish oil supplements are less-likely to create allergic or

adverse reactions for the user. This again is another debatable topic,

however, the public should take caution as to determining what is good or

bad for their health.

Many fish oil supplements provide treatment for a wide range of major and

minor health conditions, compared to the limited efficacy of their

synthetic counterparts that only target a particular illness or disorder.

Almost all fish oil supplements are used for the prevention of illnesses by

strengthening the immune system, rather than as a palliative measure at the

onset or during the affliction of a disease.

Fish oil supplements can be taken to augment good nutrition and cater to

the body’s need for the recommended standard dosage of vitamins and

minerals. If one particular mineral or nutrient is not found in a standard

diet, supplements can be taken to address the deficit.

Finally, fish oil supplements are good sources of fortified vitamins and

minerals. Depending on our individual needs for vitamins and minerals, it

can add to the body’s need for specific nutrients, for example,

breast-feeding or pregnant women need more calcium, folic acid and every

other essential nutrients for fetal development,  compared to teens and

men.

Whether these benefits bear truth or not, it is still essential to seek

expert opinion about the medicines or supplements we take- be it synthetic

or natural- since what may be good for one may be bad for another. It would

still be good to know and understand what is best for us.

there are also other grades of fish oil being produced. The three types of

fish oil produced today depend on their level of quality.

Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil, despite its popularity as a nutritional supplement, is

considered as a low quality grade of fish oil. It may only be used in small

amounts as an ideal supplement since this form of fish oil may contain

certain contaminants. Cod liver oil is also known to contain high levels of

vitamin A which can be toxic to humans in large doses.

One teaspoon of cod liver oil contains 500 mg of long chain omega 3 fatty

acids. Cod liver oil contains the highest levels of contaminants which may

include DDT, PCB’s as well as organic mercury. Taking this type of fish oil

may not be safe in large quantities.

Health Food Fish Oil
Better quality grade fish oil is one that is sourced from a particular

species of fish such as salmon. Most of these health food grade fish oil

are usually available in soft gel capsules because they still carry with

them a very poor taste profile. There is also a cholesterol free version of

this type of fish oil grade.

This type of health food grade fish oil undergoes a slightly more

purification process by means of limited molecular distillation in order to

remove some of its cholesterol content in order to label it as cholesterol

free. An even purified version of this health food grade version of fish

oil is known as fish oil concentrate. This is the type of fish oil

consisting of ethyl esters of the fish oil that undergoes fractional

cooling. This allows a more purified form of fish oil with lesser amounts

of contaminants that cod liver oil.

Generally, this type of fish oil contains a better concentration of omega 3

fatty acids. A single one gram capsule contains about 300 mg of omega 3

fatty acids. One capsule of a thermally fractionated health food grade can

contain as much as 500 mg of long chain omega 3 fatty acids.

Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil
Pharmaceutical grade fish oils have been ultra refined in order to provide

the highest quality of fish oil. This grade of fish oil undergoes through

certain specialized processes in order to come up with the most refined

fish oil. Certain specialized equipment is usually used in order to detect

the minutest amount of contaminants in the fish oil. Because it is ultra

refined, it is thousand times purer than the molecular distilled health

food grade fish oils.

An ultra refined pharmaceutical grade fish oil contains more omega 3 fatty

acids than the previous two fish oil grades. A one gram of this type of

fish oil contains around 600 mg of long chain omega 3 fatty acids. And for

being the most refined of the three grades of fish oil, it contains the

smallest amount of contaminants.