Good fish oil is not that hard to find. You just need to know what to look for. What makes one brand better than the other? Are they all just about the same?
There are several factors to consider when doing your comparative shopping. First, there is the amount of total omega-3s included in each capsule.
1000mg gel caps is the standard these days. But, that doesn’t mean that each capsule contains 1000mg of omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, there are no brands that are 100% omega-3.
About as close as you can get is 80% in a concentrated, distilled ester form. But, there is reason to believe that the distilled esters are not as beneficial as the natural triglycerides.
So, some of the better manufacturers combine 500mg of concentrated esters with 500mg of natural triglycerides. That way, you get a minimum of 500mg of omega-3 fatty acids and you get all of the anti-inflammatory benefits of the natural triglycerides.
Anti-inflammatory activity is only one of the benefits of good fish oil, but judging from the latest research, it is one of the biggest benefits. Inflammation has been shown to play a role in cancer and heart disease, two of our biggest killers, in addition to the role that it plays in disabling conditions, such as arthritis and lupus.
Manufacturers can have the anti-inflammatory activity of their supplements tested, but most in the US don’t bother. If you produce a supplement in the US, you are not allowed to say that it has anti-inflammatory activity, because that would make it a drug. The laws are designed to protect us against snake oil salesmen, but they also limit our access to information.
To help the public learn about dietary supplements, some health organizations, such as the Mayo Clinic and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, have compiled searchable databases. Most of the sources agree that taking good fish oil is a good idea for long-term cardiovascular health and for short term benefits in conditions like depression.
There are no risks associated with supplementation, as long as the oils have been tested for purity and freshness. Freshness is determined by testing the level of oxidation. If the oils are oxidized, they will cause fishy tasting burps and increase the burden of free radicals in your body.
Good fish oil will have very low levels of oxidation. The better manufacturers guarantee that there will be no fishy tasting burps, without the addition of lemon or other added flavorings.
One final, but very important thing to check is the source of the oils. If they are derived from small species, such as sardines or hoki, then you shouldn’t have to worry about the mercury content. If they are derived from large species, such as tuna, the oils should be molecularly distilled, in order to reduce contaminants.
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 http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/is-good-fish-oil-hard-to-find-1351326.html
