Choosing the right fish oil supplement may not always be easy. One of the
things to consider is that one should know about what makes such
supplements valuable to health, which is its omega 3 fatty acid content.
There are various sources of such essential fatty acids. It can be easy to
question if there is indeed a difference between getting this nutrient from
different sources.
Three Types Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids
One of the things that people should know is that there are three known
types of omega 3 fatty acids, the essential nutrient found in fish oil
supplements. The three types of omega 3 fatty acids include EPA, DHA and
ALA. ALA, or alpha-linolenic acid is a short chain omega 3 fatty acid that
is usually found in plant sources such as flax seed, walnuts, canola and
soybean oil. DHA or docosahexaenoic acid and EHA or eicosapentaenoic acid
are considered as long chain omega 3 fatty acids. The latter two are those
found in fish oil supplements.
The difference between short chain omega 3 fatty acids such as ALA and long
chain omega 3 fatty acids has to do with how the body processes them. In
order for the body to make use of such essential fatty acids, it has first
to convert the short chain types into its long chain form. This does not
usually happen readily. That is why fish oil supplements are considered
more effective in providing the omega 3 fatty acids that it needs because
it is already the long chain form which does not require any more
conversion before the body can use them.
Effectiveness
One of the other things to consider when choosing between fish oil
supplements and ones that are sourced from plants deals with their
effectiveness and benefits. Experts believe that the long chain omega 3
fatty acids being sourced from fish oils prove to be more effective in
terms of health benefits. These essential fatty acids have already been
known to offer some benefit in preventing heart disease. With the short
chain fatty acid ALA however, experts are not too sure if ever it does
provide the same benefit because it may still require additional conversion
before it can be used by the body.
Fish Oil Source
Now that one already knows the difference between omega 3 fatty acids
sourced from fish as well as those from plants, it seems that fish oil seem
to have the upper hand. But this time there are some other things to
consider. In order to get the type of fish oil supplements that offer the
best source of long chain omega 3 fatty acids, people should know where
they are being sourced from.
One important thing for consumers to look at when buying fish oil
supplements is the label. It should contain information of where the fish
oil used in the supplement is being sourced from. Because there can be more
than just one fish species to source out such supplements, it is important
to clearly know what types of fishes these may be.
Certain labels may contain information of the fish oil being sourced from
salmon, tuna or anchovies. This might be considered safe. But if labels on
the said supplements only tell of fish oil or marine lipids, this should
ring some warning bells. It may be possible that fish oils in such
supplements may not be too sure where the source may come from, which might
also cast some doubt on the purity of the fish oil being used
One has gotta love fish oil. If you think that I’m kidding then please
continue reading. Those who shun fishes like mackerel, tuna and salmon due
to some personal and at times even weird preferences might have second
thoughts after they come to learn the benefits of eating those kinds of
fish. These fish along with herring, sardines, flounder and lake trout
contains omega-3 fatty acids.
However, just to clarify the fish themselves are not capable of producing
the oil themselves. In the case of herrings and sardines, they accumulate
the omega-3 deposits from eating microalgae that produces them. And
mackerel, salmon, flounder, and trout get their supply from eating small
fishes like the herrings.
Now aside from the omega-3, other fatty acids present in what we may call
oily fishes are the eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid
or DHA. You have probably heard of these two from commercials or
advertisements which markets products that contain these acids. EPA and DHA
can play an important role in the development of one’s brain, helps keep
the nervous system in top shape and even protect people from heart disease.
If you, however, find that these benefits are not enough then I don’t fret
fro there are a number of other great advantages from including fish oil in
one’s diet. Let us begin.
Another good reason of making oily fish part of the daily meals or
considering fish oil as food supplement is that it can reduce the risk of
getting cancer. May it be breast, prostate or colon cancer, fish that are
rich in fatty acids were found to be capable of stopping the development
and spread of cancer cells to healthy ones.
And what about the findings that pregnant women has less chance of
developing complications during pregnancies? You see, those fatty and oily
fishes are more than just a treat to the palates. The fish oil, moreover,
helps prevent premature delivery and low birth weight. In fact, women who
consumed fish oil during their pregnancy were found to deliver babies that
are stronger against allergies.
Besides the things that have mentioned so far, fish oil seems to be quite
beneficial for our eyesight as well. As we grow older our eyesight slowly
diminishes. That’s why a lot of older folks need corrective eyeglasses or
even surgery just to see a little bit clearer. Fish oil helps improves
eyesight, decrease the dryness, and prevents the decline of eyesight in old
age.
Other known benefit include treatment for inflammatory bowel disorders,
rheumatoid arthritis and even systemic lupus. Not to mention, fatty acids
from fish can help prevent a variety of depression and anxieties. The
omega-3 in the fatty acids are good for relieving anxiety, sadness, stress,
mental fatigue, restlessness, suicidal tendencies and some nervous
disorders. Even those who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorders are
encouraged to include fish oil in their diet.
If you by now you’re still not loving fish oil then I don’t know what else
to say. Since studies are being conducted continuously, scientists will
find more benefits from eating fish oil. They will find a whole new list of
why it would be good to add fish oil in one’s diet.
However, even at this time with the different benefits that have been
cites, I have no reason to doubt that one really gotta love fish oil.
What is really a healthy diet with fish oil supplements, is actually and
simply an eating lifestyle that balances the body’s weight and getting the
correct nourishment.
A healthy diet with fish oil supplements is an important factor in
determining your overall health condition, and when coupled with physical
activity, a diet regimen is a key factor in establishing your weight level.
One of the major reasons why people go on a diet is due to obesity, which
increases the risk for cardio-vascular disease, high blood pressure,
diabetes, arthritis, kidney and liver problems, among many others.
These are alarming health risks that require one to go on a diet, not just
for aesthetic purposes.
But going on a healthy diet with fish oil supplements as a regimen can be a
surmountable task for many, and it is important to get expert opinion on
how to go about a healthy diet with fish oil supplements.
Common pitfalls that accompany dieting is lack of time for food
preparation, random food selections, food starvation or deprivation,
skipping meals, diet medication and incorrect diet practices.
People should understand that healthy diet with fish oil supplementing
should not be a daunting task, since it will not be very difficult to seek
guidance on getting the proper nutritional information for all food items.
Firstly, try to make use of the tons of nutritional information you find on
food labels, since this will give you first-hand information about the
nutritional values of the foods you would like to include in your diet.
It’s a good thing that we now live in an age where technology allows us to
break down components found in food and identifying each element and their
corresponding values for nutrition.
Secondly, always subscribe to natural means of nutritional sourcing. Prefer
fortified nutritional health supplements derived from fruit or vegetable
extracts compared to synthetic vitamin or mineral sources. You guarantee
yourself with less risk from adverse effects with natural supplements
compared to synthetic ones.
Thirdly, condition yourself to follow through on your diet regimen. A
hastily crafted diet regimen plus a half-hearted decision to pursue a diet
regimen could only last you a couple of weeks, or even just days. Long-term
planning and a dogged determination to push through with your diet regimen
is a vital key to a successful and healthy diet with fish oil supplements
program.
Fourthly, try to establish a diet program partner or a support group to
keep you motivated. Indeed, pursuing a diet regimen by oneself is generally
a lonesome task that could only lead to your diet program going down the
drain. It is best to have someone help you monitor your diet program
development, since feedback and motivational support can help you move on
and keep you challenged to finish your diet regimen program.
Try to also put some fun into our diet regimen program, this will help you
have a more enjoyable program that you could keep on to the end, rather
than a diet program that causes you to suffer or have misgivings about what
you may have given up to pursue your diet regimen.
Lastly, couple your diet program with a supplementary exercise pattern.
Physical activity is still the best way to help you hasten your diet
regimen, since you get to burn more calories.
Your best resource is your physician or nutrition expert, they can provide
you with vital information on what diet program you could subscribe to that
could suit you best.
Always be careful when you want to go pursue a diet regimen, it pays to
know what is best and save yourself the trouble of regretting something
that you would not expect to happen to you.
So why not try a healthy lifestyle with fish oil supplements?
“What are the healing benefits of Fish oil and how can it help someone with
cardio vascular diseases?”
This is one of today’s biggest question on one of this century’s enigmatic
disease called cardio vascular diseases, which is often associated with
one’s lifestyle, diet and even stress and depression.
The primary cause of cardio vascular diseases is still not known, however,
experts agree that emotional or physical trauma are among the factors that
develop the disease. Some experts also believe that cardio vascular
patients have constant abnormal transmission responses to pain.
Insomnia and other sleep disorders are also common in cardio vascular
patients, leading to increased stress levels on the patient and could
rapidly spread the disease throughout the human body, while another theory
supposes that cardio vascular diseases is also linked to the metabolical
changes in a person’s blood flow, leading to symptoms of weakness and
chronic fatigue.
A much more simpler theory suggests that cardio vascular diseases may be
inherited and flows along family lines, still there is also no proof to
attest to that claim.
Although there is no established prevention for cardio vascular diseases
to occur in a person, the management and treatment of the disease has
significantly improved and advanced over the years.
Despite the somewhat enigmatic cause of this disease, one treatment method
that is popularly adopted by cardio vascular patients is an Asian
therapeutic treatment approach is fish oil supplements, since it is a very
good source of Omega 3 acids which significantly help in ensuring good
oxidation in the body and helps improve blood circulation and muscle
strengthening, among them the human heart.
Fish oil has been adopted as a good treatment for internal diseases for
over a thousand years now and traces its roots back to ancient Japanese and
Chinese natural healing methods.
Currently, thousands of cardio vascular sufferers have benefited from the
healing powers of fish oil, and many of these consistent testimonials are
that it significantly relieves stress and anxiety, strengthens the body’s
natural self-healing ability, balances the functions of the human organs
and glandular systems, promotes a positive spiritual and emotional
well-being, enhances relaxation including sleep, relieves pain, removes
toxins from the body and strengthens the body’s immune system.
Today, cardio vascular diseases and fish oil are mutually associated with
each other, since a growing number of cardio vascular patients have found
fish oil to be a healthy alternative to the treatment of the disease,
although it is pointed out that it is not a direct healing medication that
will actually ‘cure’ the disorder, its supplemental properties- when
administered accordingly with conventional treatment- hastens the healing
process.
The healing benefits of fish oil – especially for those suffering from
cardio vascular diseases – are not just made popular by lip service or
media hype, but more from the results of a healing experience that have
eased the suffering and pain of thousands of those with cardio vascular
diseases.
Science and technology has indeed found a way to harness this wealth of the
deep for the benefit of mankind and now that we have it at the palm of our
hands and what better way to make the most of it is to embrace the healing
benefits of fish oil to our day to day living, be it for treatment or even
just as a health supplement
The benefits of fish oil supplements should not outweigh the need to
understand how these supplements should work or provide essential nutrients
for the human body.
Although it is a general notion for nutrition experts to insist on regular
food as the common and most basic source of vitamins and minerals important
for the human body, fish oil supplements, be it in liquid or solid form,
are needed to ensure a holistic enrichment and nourishment for the body.
Fish oil supplementation is ideally beneficial by providing for what the
regular or daily diet may not provide, it can also be a preventive measure
against diseases and illnesses.
Essentially, fish oil supplements are meant to complement a diet, not as a
substitute for it, as what many believe to be the case. Since plant foods
still contain many nutrients, among them phytochemicals, that still cannot
be substituted or generated through synthetic means.
Why the need for fish oil supplements? Take for instance these
circumstances;
Infants that are being breast-fed need to have their regular source of
iron, especially when they reach their four to six months, since breast
milk only provides little iron. This is where iron supplementation comes in
with baby milk formula or alternative sources like fortified cereal meals
or baby food.
Children also need fluoride supplementation to strengthen teeth and prevent
tooth decay.
Pregnant women need multivitamin-mineral supplementation, to ensure that
their nutrient levels are met for the development of the fetus inside the
womb. Among those that need supplementation are increased levels of folate
to prevent birth defects, as well as increased amounts of vitamins like B6,
C and D and minerals like calcium, copper, iron and zinc.
For children who are picky eaters, they need to have their regular dosage
of the required vitamins and minerals to ensure better growth and brain
development.
Breastfeeding mothers also need supplementation, since they need increased
amounts of essential nutrients that depletes during the process of
breastfeeding. Among those are vitamins B6, C and D, as well as calcium,
zinc, magnesium and potassium.
Even vegetarians are not exempt from the need to take in supplements, since
they do not get all the essential nutrients only from vegetables,
especially for growing vegan children who need to have the nutrients
provided by dairy products, meat, poultry and fish.
Also those above the age of 50 have special needs for some nutrients that
they need more of and some that they need less. Seniors need to have more
vitamins B6, B12 and D, as well as folate. Postmenopausal women also need
the supplement their calcium intake to lessen the risk of osteoporosis.
Alternative fish oil supplementation is a must to ensure a balanced and
healthy lifestyle, but don’t be fooled by mass media advertising campaigns
or too-good-to-true offers, since not all those supplements found in the
market are what it seems to declare or state.
Be cautious. It does not mean that because it is cheaper than others you
get good value for your money. It is best to investigate first.
Also try to seek advice from a nutritionist, dietitian or your physician as
to what your body needs and does not need to have, since they may be able
to help you establish what you need supplemented or fortified.
The benefits of fish oil supplements is indeed good for the body, but take
note that anything good taken in excess can end up to negative results.
If you ask those fans of mackerel and salmon why they loved those fish so
much and what is omega-3, they will probably give you a long lecture on how
important or beneficial essential fatty acids are to your health. They will
site a number of studies proving the positive effects of fatty acids on our
bodies and how these can be used to treat a variety of conditions, ailments
or diseases.
Some, and these are the really omega-3 fanatics, can go on and on and on.
From the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids to the preparations and cooking of
salmon. At the end you find yourself mumbling and probably cursing why you
asked in the first place. However, despite the long lecture, you might
notice your friend leaving behind an issue that is often disregarded but is
equally important with the benefits of fish oils. And that can be addressed
by answering the question: is fish oil harmful?
I am all for the various benefits of fish oils. I don’t discount it, I
don’t question the studies nor do I criticize the testimonies from long
time users. But personally, I don’t believe that fish oils are purely good.
We have this saying that too much of anything is bad for you. The same
should apply to fish oils. After researching the internet, reading a number
of articles, and a couple of cups of coffee, I found out that fish oils do
have some side effects, some even quite harmful.
Among the more minor side effects are diarrhea and that fishy after taste.
You will experience these side effects if you too much dosage of fish oils.
Commonly doctors would prescribe or recommend a 2 gram intake of fish oil
daily at the minimum.
Probably the major risk of overdosing on fish oil is the contamination,
more specifically mercury contamination. It is a sad fact, but a lot of the
world’s fishing grounds are contaminated or polluted. The fish you eat
might have a good stock of omega-3 but you might not know it, the fish
might only contain a considerable amount of heavy metal contaminants. When
it comes to pill or capsule supplements, the process of creating those fish
oil capsules might not be safe. The safest would be through a distillation
process.
Another major risk is when combined with other blood thinners. Fish oil
acts as a blood thinner or anti-coagulant, which basically helps stop
platelets or heavy cells from forming blood clots reducing the risks of
having a heart attack. However, if you combine fish oil with other
medicines such as aspirins, the result might be very harmful to your body
and even fatal. Too much blood thinners can cause you to bleed out. And
bleeding does not mean just bleeding out externally, but there are cases
where patients actually bled to their brains.
So going back to our question, is fish oil harmful? Well, the above
scenario is quite a frightening one but things like that could possibly
happen to people who are extremely careless. That is why before you take
any supplements, fish oil in this case, you should consul your doctors and
make sure you provide them with a complete, honest and proper medical
history.
Fish oils are extracted fats from fish, a concentrated solution of omega-3
EFAs. It is the best source of omega-3 EFAs. You could add more omega-3
EFAs to your diet in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The richest
plant sources of ALA are the leaves and seeds of the perilla plants common
in North America, Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam.
Green plants and algae also contain ALA as well as linseed oil. However,
fats or oil from fish is considered the most important dietary source of
omega-3 EFAs because it has concentrated amounts of the ALA derivatives EPA
and DHA. These two nutrients are found almost exclusively in seafood.
Eating fish on a regular basis has its own risk as you are can never be
sure if the fish you are eating has no toxins on it such as mercury and
PCBs. During the manufacture of fish oils, toxins are eliminated. The
supplements are meticulously purified to remove heavy metals such as
mercury, lead, PCBs and other toxins as well as to reduce the incidence of
rancidity and improve the taste and quality of the fish oil.
These makes fish oils as safe and effective food supplement. A 1-gram fish
oil capsule contains about 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA. An intake of
three 1-gram capsules would provide 0.9 gram (900 mg) of EPA and DHA. This
means it comply the daily dosage recommended by the American Heart
Association. However, you should always bear in mind that fish oil
supplements are basically dietary supplements, not drugs.
Studies shows that many people are getting too much of the wrong kinds of
fats found in animals (saturated fats) and vegetables (polyunsaturated
fats), and need the fish oil to “balance” the family of fat nutrients.
Intake of the wrong kinds of fats should be lowered to total 20 to 30
percent of daily calorie serving while fats found in the oils of certain
fish should be appreciably increased.
Fish oil prevents and/or alleviates heart disease, high blood pressure,
arthritis and migraine, headaches, may be protective against cancer, immune
deficiency diseases, kidney disease and others. Fish oils also have two
special nutrients that protect the heart and arteries, reduce pain,
inflammation and swelling, and protect cell membranes. Omega-3 EFAs found
in oily fishes are believed to be essential for the healthy development of
brain, retina, and nervous tissue among fetus and infant.
During pregnancy these fatty acids are transferred from the mother’s
tissues to the fetus. However, the FDA has strict guidelines on eating fish
during pregnancy because of the possibility of mercury or other toxic
substances that may contain in fishes and the best solution is to take fish
oil as food supplement
Over the past 30 years more than 7,000 scientific studies have provided
evidence supporting the effectiveness of fish oil and omega-3 EFAs in the
prevention and treatment of our most common diseases. Hundreds of clinical
trials support the efficacy of fish oil’s omega-3 essential fatty acids in
preventing, mitigating, and remedying an incredible range of health
conditions. Some scientific and medical communities however are resisting
to these facts and still support pharmacological treatment.
As a traditional dietary supplement that encourages good health, fish oil
is a preventive medicine but as a natural alternative to NSAIDs or
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other pharmacological and medical
treatments, it is complementary medicine.
With all the undergoing studies to prove its affectivity, fish oil is on
the threshold of crossing over into traditional Western medicine.
One of the reasons why people take fish oil supplements is due to the
various health benefits that they offer. Fish oil has long been known to
contain essential fatty acids that are known to be very beneficial in
maintaining one’s good health. Here are some of those benefits.
Heart Disease
One of the more common benefits that fish oil is known to offer people
involves heart health. Various studies through the years have shown that
the long chain omega 3 fatty acids contained in fish oil may help reduce
the risk of heart diseases in humans. These essential fatty acids may also
help lower LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream ad therefore help reduce the
risk of heart attacks and stroke. Not only that, omega 3 fatty acids found
in fish oil are also known to increase the levels of HDL, or good,
cholesterol.
Prevent Inflammation
One of the more beneficial properties of omega 3 fatty acids found in fish
oil is their anti-inflammatory effects on the body. Fish oil can be used to
prevent or reduce the inflammation of the tissues. Regular consumption of
fish oil has been known to help those people who are suffering from chronic
inflammatory diseases. Fish oil has also been known to be effective in
treating certain gastrointestinal disorders as well as ulcerative colitis
and inflammatory bowel disease.
Arthritis Treatment
Due to its good anti-inflammatory properties, fish oil is a good supplement
that can help ease the pain brought about by arthritis and rheumatism. Fish
oil supplements can help reduce the use of NSAID’s or Non Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory drugs for treating such conditions. In osteoarthritis,
fish oils prove helpful in trying to reduce the functions of certain
enzymes that may destroy or damage cartilage tissues in the body.
Weight Loss
Fish oil may also prove beneficial for those people who are trying to lose
weight. It sees that taking fish oil supplements may help a lot during the
weight loss process. Fish oil has been known to improve the efficiency of
exercise in trying to lose weight. Studies have shown that people who were
given fish oil as part of their diet seem to lose weight more when
exercising than those people under the same program but were not given fish
oil in their diet.
Eye Disorders
Another benefit that many experts have extolled on fish oil involves the
treatment of certain eye disorders. Consuming fish oil on a regular basis
seems to help people avoid the effects of age related macular degeneration.
More studies are being undertaken in order to prove further just how
effective fish oil can be in trying to help people maintain good eye
health.
Skin Health
Another known benefit associated with fish oil consumption is skin health.
Fish oil is known to contain nutrients that can help change dry and poorly
maintained skin look shiny and glowing. Fish oil has also been known to be
effective in treating other skin conditions such as eczema, skin lesions
and rashes.
Fish oil can be applied topically on the skin to help relieve the effects
of psoriasis. Regular fish oil intake can also help retain moisture in the
skin.
Silent inflammation has been linked to heart disease, cancer and dementia.
It is a condition that occurs when the body’s natural immune response goes
awry. Silent inflammation is an inflammation without pain and it can
continue undetected for years, continually assaulting your heart, arteries
and even the brain – without you noticing it.
According to Dr. Barry Sears, author of bestselling books “The Zone,” high
carbohydrate diet is the culprit to this kind of health situation. In his
boos “The Anti-inflammation Zone,” he had proposed taking supplements of
high dose, ultra-refined fish oil as the best armor against inflammation.
The Japanese manage to maintain a state of wellness and away from silent
inflammation by consuming copious amounts of fish. However, according to a
research, the massive amounts of fish does not ensure them enough intake of
omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil. Fish oil is ultimately the healthiest fat
around because it has profiund anti-inflammatory properties. It has no
long-term side effects and can even make you smarter.
The reason why high-dose fish oil is so effective is because it reduces
arachodonic acid (AA) which is the building block of pro-inflammatory
eicosanoids. By taking it within 30 days, fish oil will increase your
levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Fish oil is the only dietary
supplement that is supported by robust clinical studes by treating chronic
conditions like heart disease, cancer, immunological and inflammatory
diseases, and neurological conditions like attention deficit disorder,
depression, multiple sclerosis, and different types of dementia.
However, taking fish oil as defenses to silent inflammation has a drawback,
it might lead you to contamination. So in taking fish oil as dietary
supplement, Dr. Barry Sears cautioned to ensure that its ultra-refined and
use the SIP as guidance for exact dosage. On a scale of 1 to 10 for
supplements, Dr. Sears give high-dose fish oil a 12. The EPA found in fish
oil partially inhibits the activity of the delta-5 desaturase enzyme that
makes AA.
This represents the primary anti-inflammatory effect of fish oil, he adds.
To achieve a significant impact on AA production, a person must provide a
lot of EPA. A high-dose fish oil, especially rich in EPA will likely lead
you to success in reducing silent inflammation as reflected in the
reduction of the AA/EPA ratio. The ratio can be measured by SIP.
The public and the mainstream medicine are starting to accept the
importance of insulin control to well-being. Now is the perfect time to
bring to public’s attention the role of eicosanoids and the way high-dose
fish oil can manipulate them. Dr. Barry Sears that the role of fish oil in
medical practice because it tells us that medical care is based primarily
on the food we eat, not the drugs we take.
Recent genetic research is forcing scientists to evaluate the value of fish
oil in the evolution of modern humANS. It was genetic scientists who
initiated the theory that consumption of high-dose fish oil was the reason
why humans have the power to conquer the earth. A proper combination of
insulin and high-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil may be the true miracle
cure for the 21st century.
Fish oil is so effective that having this dietary supplement is like having
a miracle drug that has the perfect balance between eicosanoids with
totally zero side effects.
Fish oil production does not just provide one type of end product. In fact,
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.