The Best Fish Oil Capsules Contain DHA Omega 3’s
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Finding the best fish oil capsules is simple, if you know what to look for. The factors that are most important include purity and freshness, omega-3 content, DHA content and anti-inflammatory activity.
Some of those things will be listed on the label. You may have to do a little digging to learn about the others, but you should be able to find the information that you need on the manufacturer’s website. If they don’t make the information easy to find, then choose a different brand. There are lots of different brands on the market. So, there is no reason to settle for second-best.
The omega-3 and the DHA content should be clearly listed on the label. Simply stating that the capsule contains 1000mg of fish oils is not sufficient. Only a portion of the oils found in fatty fish are omega-3s.
DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid is the longest-chained fatty acid. Within the body, it can be easily converted into any of the other omega-3s, such as Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, but the reverse does not hold true. The best fish oil capsules provide a minimum of 28% or 280mg of DHA per cap.
DHA deficits are associated with learning and behavioral disorders, as well as depression and dementia. There’s a lot of fat in the human brain and about 40% of it is DHA. There’s a reason that fish is called brain food. There are no other natural dietary sources of DHA. Small amounts of omega-3s are found in plants and in grass-fed livestock, but DHA is only present in fatty fish.
Information concerning purity and freshness should be available at the manufacturer’s website. The best fish oil capsules are free of contaminants and have very low levels of oxidation (spoilage). The manufacturer should have had testing conducted by an independent laboratory to prove that the oils are fresh and pure. You cannot take the company’s word for it. You should look for a COA or certificate of analysis.
Oxidized oils cause fishy aftertastes and burping. When oxidation levels are very low, then the product will be burp-free. The better manufacturers guarantee it.
Fishy burps are annoying, but the worst part is that oxidized oils contain free radicals. We should make every effort to reduce the body’s free radical burden. The best fish oil capsules help us do that, because they have anti-oxidant activity. Antioxidants neutralize free radical molecules before they can damage the cells.
Laboratories can examine the anti-inflammatory activity of the oils inside of a capsule. Researchers have seen that some oils have more anti-inflammatory activity than others.
Some manufacturers have had their supplements tested for anti-inflammatory activity. But, if the supplement is manufactured in the US, there’s no reason to have the testing done. The FDA does not allow manufacturers to make specific claims concerning anti-inflammatory activity, because that would make it a drug.
But, whether the FDA wants us to know or not, the best fish oil capsules do have a high degree of anti-inflammatory activity and the manufacturer can prove it.
Valerie Rosenbaum thinks taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
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Are You Taking the Right Fish Oil Dosage For Your Particular Health Condition?
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Suggestions for the proper fish oil dosage vary from 1000-3000mg per day. But, the thing that is really important is not the amount of oil that is present. It is the amount of omega3 fatty acids in each capsule. The omega3 content is not equivalent to the amount of oils. It is only a percentage of it. Reputable manufacturers include this information on their labels.
There are some highly concentrated varieties that provide as much as 800mg of omega3s per 1000mg capsule. But, a recent study showed that there are some extra anti-inflammatory benefits to the natural triglycerides, which have a lower concentration.
Researchers compared the anti-inflammatory activity of two different supplements. One contained 800mg of omega3 fatty acids in the concentrated ester form that most manufacturers use. The other one contained only 500mg of the ester and 500mg of the natural triglyceride. The omega3 content was lower, providing only 500mg total, but the anti-inflammatory activity was higher, twice that of the concentrated ester.
So, basically, your best fish oil dosage is 1000mg total, 500 of a concentrated ester and 500 of natural triglycerides. Total omega3 content would be 500mg and total content of DHA would be at least 260mg.
DHA is the most studied of all of the omega3 fatty acids. It is abundant in brain cells and nerve endings. It accounts for 60% of the free fatty acids in the retina of the eye, the light gathering apparatus that transmits signals to the brain, allowing us to see.
DHA and another important omega3 called EPA have a significant impact on unhealthy blood triglyceride levels. They improve the concentration of “good” HDL cholesterol, which in turn reduces the negative effects of LDL or bad cholesterol.
A good fish oil dosage may help reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and blood clots. It has anti-coagulant activity, similar to that of aspirin, and helps lower blood pressure.
The benefits to the digestive system and the joints have been recognized for hundreds of years. Nordic fisherman took a dose every day, to reduce the negative impact that the cold had on their joints.
Recent studies have shown that there is benefit for people that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, eczema, psoriasis, acne and lupus.
A good fish oil dosage may help improve your mood, reduce depressive feelings and improve your ability to concentrate. Researchers are evaluating the benefits for people that suffer from Alzheimer’s and have suggested that it may be beneficial for reducing the risk of that degenerative brain disease.
So, there are benefits to the skin, the immune system, the joints, the digestive system, the heart, the brain and basically every cell of the body. But, these benefits may be accompanied by risks, if the supplement is not evaluated for purity.
Manufacturers are not required to test each batch for contaminants, but the better manufacturers do conduct that sort of testing. They are able to prove that their recommended fish oil dosage is free of mercury and other contaminants. Ask for the proof, before you buy.
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
Are You Taking the Best Fish Oil? - What to Look For
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The best fish oil supplements provide a minimum of 500mg of omega3 fatty acids per capsule. Omega3s are a group of polyunsaturated fats that are good for our health. They include DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), DPA (Docosapentaenoic acid) and (ALA) ±-Linolenic acid, as well as five other less significant ones. DHA is believed to be the most important in several ways.
ALA is found primarily in vegetable oils. Until recently, it was believed that ALA supplementation would raise blood levels of DHA, but research has shown that it has little, if any, effect. For vegans and other vegetarians, marine algae supplements are being recommended, because they provide DHA.
DHA is the most abundant fatty acid found in the brain and inside of the eye. Its necessity for proper brain development in children has been well established. It is present in breast milk and most infant formulas are fortified with it.
The benefit for reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s, a degenerative brain disease, is currently being studied, as is the benefit for reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration. The macula is a small spot in the back of the eye, responsible for central vision. Degeneration of this area is the major cause of blindness among the elderly. Although some peripheral vision is usually retained, central vision is lost. One of the risk factors for macular degeneration is high blood triglycerides.
The best fish oil contains a large amount of DHA, because it is so important to the brain and because it has proven to be most effective at reducing blood triglyceride levels. One clinical trial compared the effectiveness of DHA to that of EPA. DHA had a significantly greater effect.
High triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of heart disease among older people, specifically with atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. The best fish oil can help reduce our risks of age-related heart diseases. Not only because it lowers triglyceride levels, but also because it has anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory activity.
An anti-coagulant is any compound that prevents clotting and “thins” the blood. The most well known anti-coagulant is aspirin. Doctors often recommend a low-dose aspirin regimen for patients that are at risk for or have had a history of heart attacks. Now, many doctors recommend omega3 supplementation, as well.
The biggest complaint that people have when taking these supplements is that they cause fishy tasting burps. The best fish oil supplements are guaranteed to be “burp-free”. You can get your money back if they cause that problem.
The reason that the manufacturers are sure that there will be “no burps” is because the oxidation level is so low. Oxidized oils are not fresh when they are encapsulated. The smell is hidden by the capsule, but the stomach has a negative reaction to them, anyway.
There are many other benefits of increasing your omega3 intake. Many different doctors recommend it. Books have been written about it. But, in order to get all of those benefits, you need to be sure to buy the best fish oil on the market.
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
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4 Quality Control Checks Before Buying Fish Oil Supplements
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Before you buy fish oil, take a few minutes to read this article. If you are not careful about the quality of your supplements, then you could be wasting your money or even damaging your health. You need to be sure that the supplement is free of contaminants, has low oxidation levels, has high omega3 content and has good anti-inflammatory activity. This article covers how to determine those things.
Checking For Contaminants
It is simply not good enough for a company to “say” that their products are free of mercury and other contaminants. They should be able to “prove” it. In order to do that, they can have testing conducted by an independent laboratory to obtain an official certificate of analysis or COA.
A copy of the COA should be posted on the manufacturer’s website. If you don’t see it, don’t place the order. It just doesn’t make sense to buy fish oil that costs as much as $60 per bottle, when there is no guarantee of purity.
The COA will list mercury, PCBs, dioxins, lead, arsenic and a variety of other toxins that are known to pollute our waters and our fish. On the line next to each contaminant, it should say “not detected”. Molecular distillation can insure low contaminant levels, but some naturally occurring oils are safe enough to take “as is”. No distillation is required.
Finding Out About Oxidation
Oxidation will also be listed on a COA. You should not buy fish oil that has a high level of oxidation. It has to do with how fresh the oils were when they were encapsulated. If the total oxidation level is over 17 MEQ/KG, then you will get fishy tasting burps and there is a risk to your long-term health, because oxidized oils contain free radicals.
If you currently have some supplements in your home, you can check for oxidation by cutting one open and “sniffing”. It should not smell like rotten fish or an artificial flavor like lemon. Companies often add lemon, lime or another flavoring to mask the taste and smell of rancid oils.
Determining Omega3 Content
The omega3 content will also be listed on the COA. Some manufacturers list it on the label, as well. Others list only the amount of oils that are in each capsule. Not all of those oils are omega3 fats. You want to be sure to buy fish oil that provides at least 500mg of omega3s per 1000mg of oil.
The manufacturer should also list the amount of individual fatty acids (DHA, EPA and DPA) that are in each capsule. DHA is the most important to the brain and has more triglyceride reduction activity than EPA.
Judging Anti-inflammatory Activity
The manufacturer can pay to have their supplements scientifically tested for anti-inflammatory activity. Most companies, particularly those in the US, don’t bother. Companies in the US are not allowed to mention the anti-inflammatory activity of the supplement, because that would be a medicinal benefit.
If you buy fish oil that has been proven to have a high degree of anti-inflammatory activity, there will be benefits to your joints and every cell of your body, because inflammation is one of the causes of cellular aging.
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
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3 Simple Benefits of Fish Oil For Healthy Living and Disease Prevention
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There are benefits of fish oil to the brain, joints, skin, immune system, eyes and digestive system. This article touches briefly on those, but focuses primarily on the benefit to the heart. Numerous studies have been conducted over the years. Each one provides a little more information. Here’s what researchers have seen.
Blood Pressure Reduction
Exactly how or why fish oil benefits blood pressure is unknown. But, several studies have shown that increased intake of omega3 fatty acids, which are abundant in the oils of fatty fish, has a positive effect on hypertension.
For many years, the benefits of fish oil have been ascribed to the omega3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. But, recent research indicates that it is not just the omega3s that provide the benefits seen in older people that commonly eat fish and their oils. One thing that researchers have looked at recently is the increased blood levels of the antioxidant selenium in people that eat a great deal of fish.
The natural triglycerides would contain selenium, but the distilled esters would not. The antioxidant would be destroyed by the heat.
Triglyceride Reduction
How fish oil benefits blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels is better understood. Omega3s are good fats. They are of a higher density that floats through the bloodstream and picks up very low density particles of cholesterol.
The low density particles “sink”. They become oxidized by free radical molecules and build up inside the arterial walls. So, the fish oil benefits include a reduced risk of hardening of the arteries, the most common form of age-related heart disease. Several studies indicate that DHA has a greater triglyceride reduction capacity than EPA.
Anticoagulant Activity
Many of the benefits of fish oil are ascribed to its anticoagulant activity. Anticoagulants “thin” the blood and prevent the formation of clots. This reduces the risk of both heart attack and stroke. The fish oil benefits have not always been obvious in clinical studies, but most researchers agree that increasing your omega3 intake may help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Other Possible Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements
Nutrients that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity have been shown to reduce the risk of several forms of cancer. Omega3 fatty acids and the natural triglycerides from fatty fish have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Benefit has been seen in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s. But, basically, all of the cells of the body would be benefited, because inflammation and oxidation are two of the causes of cellular aging.
Research has shown that fish oil benefits the brain, may relieve depression and improve conditions like ADHD. Studies in Canada are currently ongoing concerning the protective benefits for the brain. Hopefully, this supplement will reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related dementia.
There is a wide range of quality among the supplements on the market. It is worth your while to do a little research about the manufacturer, before you buy. In order to safely get the benefits of fish oil, you need to shop for freshness and purity, as well as a high percentage of omega3 fatty acids.
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the easiest and most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends: http://www.TakingFishOil.com
