Salmon Fish Oil and the Ratio of Omega 9, Omega 6 and Omega 3 Make All the Difference
Filed Under Anti Aging Supplement, Anti Aging Vitamin, Anti-Inflammatory, Blood Pressure, DHA and EPA, Fish Oil Supplements, Main Content, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Comments Off
Salmon fish oil might not be your best choice for omega-3 supplementation. While Wild Alaskan salmon is the most commonly recommended food choice, because of all of the nutrients that it provides, some of the oils on the market are high in omega-9 fatty acids. Those can have negative health effects.
According to the lipid (fat) analysis provided by one of the major manufacturers, the oils contain an average of 288mg of oleic acid. Some studies indicate that oleic and other monounsaturated fatty acids are associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated.
It could be that the omega-3s counteract the negative effects of oleic acid, but ideally, you would want a supplement that contained less. Other species are higher in omega3s, low in omega9s and very low in omega6s.
Researchers feel that typical Western diets are too high in omega6 and too low in omega3. They suggest decreasing omega6 intake while increasing intake of omega3s. One of the easiest ways to lower your intake of omega6s is to cut corn oil out of your diet. It contains 40 times more omega6s than 3s.
Of the lipids in the salmon fish oil mentioned above, only about 60mg are omega6s, which is pretty good, but there are some brands that contain less than 40mg of omega6s. That’s even better.
You see, omega6s and 3s compete for conversion into hormones within the body. The hormones produced from omega6s are pro-inflammatory. The ones produced form omega3s are less inflammatory and stimulate the production of molecules that end the inflammatory process.
Everything within the body is about balance. Inflammation is a necessary function of the immune system, but in recent times there has been a noted increase of autoimmune diseases, in which the inflammatory process turns on healthy cells.
Does salmon fish oil have a high degree of anti-inflammatory activity? The clinical trials and laboratory studies have used oils from other species. So, the answer to that question is unclear.
What one scientific study did show was that one concentrated salmon fish oil supplement contained high levels of mercury. At the recommended dosage, the weekly intake of mercury would be higher than amounts known to cause impaired cognitive skills, tremors and sleep disturbances.
The biggest drawback to including more fish in our daily diet is increasing our intake of mercury. There are some species that cannot be safely consumed, at all, because of mercury contamination. Those species include wild bass, bluefish, wild sturgeon, king mackerel and blue-fin tuna. Other species, like Atlantic and Washington salmon, croaker and flounder should be limited to no more than one serving per month due to PCBs, cancer-causing chemicals.
Food and supplement manufacturers are not required to evaluate a catch for mercury or PCB contamination. It is up to the consumer to look for health alerts from the Environmental Defense Fund and other public health organizations.
Instead of buying salmon fish oil, you might want to consider looking for one that comes from the New Zealand hoki, a small species that swims in very clean waters. It might be a little harder to find, but it is the safest choice.
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?Salmon-Fish-Oil-and-the-Ratio-of-Omega-9,-Omega-6-and-Omega-3-Make-All-the-Difference&id=2386407
Why Atlantic Cod Fish Oils Are a Poor Source of Omega 3’s
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Blood Pressure, DHA and EPA, Fish Oil Supplements, Main Content, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
Don’t buy cod fish oil to get your omega3s. There are much better choices, today. This article covers why using the Atlantic Cod as a source of omega3s is a bad idea.
The North Atlantic is heavily polluted with mercury, PCBs and dioxins. Mercury poisoning has occurred due to eating fish contaminated with it. Since it is in the water, it is in the fish.
The Atlantic Cod and similar species feed on smaller fish. Because of this, the concentration of contaminants increases over the course of the fish’s life. Adults would have a higher concentration of contaminants and their livers would be particularly contaminated, because the liver is the dumping ground for heavy metals.
Most cod fish oil is advertised as cod-liver oil, but it is actually derived from the entire body. A large market for fish meal exists. It is used in animal feed and to fortify certain foods. In order to make the meal, the fishes are ground up and the oils are removed. So, what you actually have is a byproduct of fish-meal production.
From there, the oils will need to be distilled and refined. The act of distillation reduces contaminants, but also reduces the nutritional value. While heavy metals are easily removed with the process, chemical contaminants like PCBs and dioxins may still be present. Manufacturers are not required to test each batch for contamination.
But, assuming that the oils have been purified, there is still a risk associated with cod fish oil. It contains retinol, the animal form of vitamin A.
Retinol is toxic at high doses. It causes birth defects. Regular intake of excessive amounts of vitamin A is associated with osteoporosis and bone fractures. Vitamin A competes with vitamin D for absorption and it interacts with parathyroid hormone which regulates calcium absorption. It has been estimated that 75% of people in developed countries take in more than the recommended daily allowance of retinol on a regular basis.
If vitamin A supplementation is desirable, it is best to take beta-carotene, the vegetable form. Beta-carotene is non-toxic. The body converts it on an as-needed basis to retinol. It is not possible to get too much beta-carotene in the diet.
From an environmental standpoint, taking cod fish oil is not recommended because of over-fishing. The popularity of specific species as food sources has rendered their populations unsustainable. Depletion of one population often affects other populations that feed on it, as well as the entire underwater ecosystem. People don’t often realize how much life on earth depends on life in the oceans.
Right now, the best choices for supplement manufacturers are species such as anchovy and hoki. They are small, reproduce quickly and are low on the food chain. They feed, to a great extent, on sea algae, with is rich in DHA, an important omega3 fatty acid.
The manufacturer should guarantee that their products are free of contaminants and rich in omega3 fatty acids. So, that’s why you shouldn’t buy cod fish oil. Spread the word and save the species.
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 Right Fish Oil Dosage For Your Particular Health Condition?
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, DHA and EPA, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Main Content, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
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
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Blood Pressure, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Main Content, Nutritional Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valerie_Rosenbaum
http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-You-Taking-the-Best-Fish-Oil?—What-to-Look-For&id=2331086
Some Fish Oil Capsules Are Better Than Others - Find Out Why
Filed Under Anti-Inflammatory, Blood Pressure, DHA and EPA, Fish Oil Supplements, Heart Disease, Main Content, Nutritional Supplements, Omega 3 Fatty Acids | Leave a Comment
All fish oil capsules have some amount of anti-inflammatory activity, because of the essential fatty acids they contain. But, recent studies have shown that a fish oil capsule containing 500mg of natural triglycerides from the New Zealand hoki fish has anti-inflammatory activity equivalent to that of aspirin, which is more than double what is seen with a “regular” supplement.
Manufacturers have choices when they decide to sell fish oil capsules. They can choose what species of fish to use and decide whether or not to distill and concentrate it. If it is distilled the result is called an ester. If it is not distilled, it is called a natural triglyceride.
For many years, the use of molecular distillation was the best choice, because it concentrated the omega3 fatty acids and removed impurities like mercury. Now, it seems that the natural form has more anti-inflammatory activity, but since the concentration of omega3s would be lower, other health benefits would be lost.
There is a third choice. A fish oil capsule can contain 500mg of natural triglycerides and 500mg of concentrated esters. In that way, the omega3 content is higher than what is found in most supplements, but the anti-inflammatory activity is left intact.
Why a fish oil capsule containing the natural triglycerides would have a higher level of anti-inflammatory activity is unknown. Sometimes, it is impossible to isolate a single component of a naturally occurring substance that is responsible for its medicinal activity. Sometimes, it is a combination of all of the naturally occurring nutrients that is responsible.
For example, researchers have tried to find the compound that is responsible for the health benefits of red wine. When they identified resveratrol, they believed that had it. But, later studies showed that it could not possibly be resveratrol, alone, that was responsible for the health benefits, because the amount in the wine was far too low.
It has been difficult to explain the anti-inflammatory activity of fish oil capsules, too. Researchers have tried to identify what biological pathways are affected by omega3 fatty acids. It is known that bio-chemicals produced from omega3s have less inflammatory activity than those produced from omega6s. But, that would increasing omega3s in the diet would only have the affect of modulating inflammation.
If it has a high degree of anti-inflammatory activity, a fish oil capsule can relieve aching joints and protect the cells of the body from the negative affects of chronic inflammation. Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel are improved through the use of fish oil capsules.
There are benefits to the heart, as well, because inflammation is involved in atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis improve when a person takes a fish oil capsule. But, all of these benefits are dependent on the anti-inflammatory activity.
Manufacturers can have their fish oil capsules tested for anti-inflammatory activity. The better manufacturers publish the results on their websites. Of course, testing costs money and most manufacturers are not willing to pay the price. So, this is not something that you will commonly see. If you want the best, it pays to look for it.
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
