4 Factors You Must Know Before Purchasing Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements

4 Factors You Must Know Before Purchasing Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplements

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By the time you finish reading this you will know how to identify the best fish oil supplements before you buy them? All of the information that you need to know is not typically included on the product label. It takes a little research to find out what steps the manufacturer takes to insure effectiveness and purity. But, it is, of course, worth your time to do the research. Here's what you need to look for.

Standards/Specifications for Purity

As you may know, our oceans are heavily polluted. Some of the pollution problems that negatively effect human health include mercury and PCB contamination. PCBs are chemicals that have been banned, but they continue to be present in the water and in our fish.

The majority of mercury pollution in the oceans is caused by coal-fired power plants releasing it into the atmosphere. Mercury will continue to be a problem, until stricter regulations are enforced or other energy sources are found.

Mercury accumulates in the tissue and fat of larger fish, such as shark, swordfish, mackerel, albacore tuna and tilefish. Consuming even small amounts can cause developmental problems in children. Long-term, low-level consumption causes problems such as fatigue, irritability, memory loss, vivid dreams and depression.

The best fish oil supplements do not contain any mercury or cancer-causing PCBs. The manufacturers have each batch measured for contaminants, as well as oxidation.

Standards for Oxidation

Standards for maximum oxidation levels have been set by the Council for Responsible Nutrition, but not by government regulating agencies. Oxidation begins almost as soon as the fish are pulled from the water. So, it is impossible to have no oxidation, but the amount that occurs should be very low.

The best fish oil supplements have oxidation levels below 17 MEQ/kg. If the levels are much higher than that, you will experience fishy tasting burps and you will be consuming free radicals.

Omega3 and DHA Content

The Omega3 and DHA content should be listed on the label. Most manufacturers list the total omega3 content, but fail to mention the total DHA content. Each capsule should provide a minimum of 500mg of total omega3 and at least half of that should be DHA.

Most oils contain more EPA, because that is the type of fatty acid that are present in anchovies and other species that are preferred by manufacturers. The best fish oil supplements provide EPA, but the DHA content is higher, because that fatty acid is most important to the health of the brain and the heart.

Natural Triglycerides

A supplement may contain concentrated esters, natural triglycerides or both. Concentrated esters have more omega3s, but the natural triglycerides have more anti-inflammatory activity. Inflammation plays a role in painful conditions, such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, but it also plays a part in cancer and heart disease.

It is possible to measure that anti-inflammatory activity of a supplement, but a manufacturer would have to pay for the testing. Obviously, the cheaper products have not been tested, but the best fish oil supplements have anti-inflammatory activity equivalent to or better than aspirin. That should be enough info to help you find a safe and effective product.

Now that you are armed with this information there want be any more guessing about which fish oil supplement is right for you. Now you will know you are getting the best valve for your money.

About the Author:








Your next step? To take what you've just learned and discover the cutting edge supplement you have been missing out on. To experience all the maximum benefits of this product and learn more visit my site now at => http://www.best-omega3-fish-oil.com Sherman Chambliss is a researcher of health related products for today's consumer.



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