Fish Oil | Buffing Up

Is Deep Sea Fish Oil Superior To Other Fish Oils?

Apr 172010

There has been an increasing attention to the benefits of Omega 3 by the science and health community and for this reason there has also been a increasing acceptance of fish oil in the news and commercials, and similar products have surfaced. Another term applied to describe fish oil is “deep sea fish oil”. What exactly is “deep sea fish oil” and why does it matter when purchasing a fish oil supplement?

Fish oil, in general terms, is not exactly produced from “deep sea” fish, or those kinds of fish living in very deep waters (1800m) where sunlight scarcely penetrates the water. Herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines (species that can be actually found in more shallow waters) are fish that possess the most oil and have the top natural omega-3 concentrations.

Because these species of fish are lower on the food chain, have shorter life spans, and are small in size, they do not contain as much toxins compared to the larger species that live longer (some can live as long as 70 years) and those that eat lots of smaller fish. This makes them better for fish oil supplements. Furthermore, the above-mentioned species are most suitable because of the fact that they can reproduce quickly and are easy to sustain.

Buying a product from a reputable company that specializes in fish oil products might offer some degree of assurance because there is simply no other way to be certain. For instance, a tag that says “deep sea” could just indicate that the fish were from the open ocean as opposed to from shallower waters. So, when you search for an omega-3 fish oil product, you would undoubtedly meet various marketing phrases and terms that, in turn, would translate into uncertainty and misinformation. Because the benefits of fish oil are becoming more accepted, these products can now be simply found in big chain stores, drug stores, and grocery stores. But with all these marketing claims that can baffle the uninformed consumers, what then do you need to you look for?

First, examine the label for the detailed fish species mentioned above rather than comprehensive terms like “fish oil concentrates” or “marine lipids.” Second, make certain that the exact quantity of DHA and EPA (the Omega-3s in fish oil) in each serving is indicated. It is a good idea to examine the DHA and EPA content against the price to make sure that you are getting the maximum value for your money. Before you buy your fish oil, it wouldn’t hurt if you do some sort of study and go for products from companies with a reputation for high standards of quality and purity. Even though such standards are not legally enforced in the United States, there are international guidelines and third-party testing organizations that create standards for fish oil quality. A reliable fish oil company will provide details about their manufacturing processes – from catching to canning / bottling – and present proof of their claims validated by dependable third-party agencies.

What are omega-3 fatty acids and why do we need them? Omega-3 fatty acids are not only good, but also essential, for our health. Because omega-3s can be best acquired from fish, taking fish oil is among the best and safest ways to get these highly valuable substances.

In more explicit terms, the benefits we can gain from fish oil supplementation consist of the lessened risk of cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation. It can also aid to manage blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, clinical studies and research point out that the use of fish oil can relieve the symptoms related to disorders like depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, and bipolar. Fish oil also facilitates brain development and helps it to perform more effectively. Have we realized now that there is without a doubt a need for fish oil? However, it’s not necessary to purchase a fish oil product that claims to be “deep sea fish oil.”

Brittany D. Wallace is a nutrition expert and has been writing about fish oil for 10 years.

What To Look For In Fish Oil Supplements (And What To Look Out For!)

Supplements No Responses »

Apr 162010

Countless studies in recent decades have called attention to the significance of omega 3 fatty acids for health. Our bodies cannot synthesize omega-3s, so we must get them in our food. The most familiar way that people obtain omega-3 is by ingesting fish. However, this guide shall explain the trouble with obtaining omega 3 fatty acids from fish, and then will go into detail what to search for in fish oil supplements.

Fish Isn’t a Secure Source of Omega-3 Anymore

Before the creation of fish oil supplements, the consumption of fish was the exclusive way to obtain omega-3s in our diet. This was an effective method, but the realities of an industrialized world means added water pollution. The end result is that fish have become tainted with all varieties of poisonous contaminants like PCBs, mercury, arsenic, dioxins and heavy metals. These toxins have been found to cause a broad range of sicknesses such as cancer, blindness, birth defects and even death.

Omega-3 Supplements Also Polluted

Because of these complications, more and more people are relying on fish oil supplements as a an answer. But, fish oil capsules suffer from the same problems, in spite of the fact that most fish oil manufacturers claim that their products are clean. A fairly new investigation by the Food Standards Agency in the UK instigated the withdrawal of several fish oil products due to excessive levels of toxins!

Furthermore, turn your attention to this surprising report from Greenpeace about OmegaProtein, the largest producer of fish oil supplements on the planet. Their investigation shows that OmegaProtein’s fish oil products were found to be contaminated by poisonous amounts of flame retardants! However, maybe we should take this information with skepticism considering Greenpeace’s ideological stance, but if factual, it is very frightening!

Now that you know many of the risks possible in fish oil supplements, what can you do about it? Luckily, there are a few guiding principles that make it straightforward to evaluate a fish oil supplement for potency and cleanliness.

The Cream of The Crop: The International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) Testing Program

The best method to know if an omega-3 product is a pure, quality supplement is by choosing one that has been consistently certified by the International Fish Oil Standards program, or IFOS. The IFOS program is a voluntary third-party testing institution that measures fish oil supplements along 5 guidelines:

Meet and Exceeds All Testing Categories by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and World Health Organization (WHO)
Greater than 60% Concentration of Omega-3
Oxidation Levels Lower Than 75% of Council for Responsible Nutrition Requirement
PCB Quantity Lower Than 50% of Council for Responsible Nutrition Standard
Dioxin Amount Lower Than 50% of World Health Organization Requirement

These standards were picked because the standards used by the CRN (Council for Responsible Nutrition) and WHO (World Health Organization) were not strict enough to permit larger portions of omega-3 fish oil. To get the advantages of fish oil, one must regularly take more than simply the 1,000 mg everyday that has been normally suggested. The rationale for why only 1 gram has been recommended, however, is due to adulteration risks. This is plainly not a problem if you’re ingesting an IFOS-tested brand.

If you aren’t taking an IFOS-tested product, you are definitely more in jeopardy of ingesting toxins. Chances are, in spite of the fact that your omega-3 product may profess to be decontaminated by “advanced molecular distillation” (a marketing phrase), it may not be safe to take. Since the International Fish Oil Standards organization posts the outcomes of their studies on their website, you can research the best brands of fish oil supplements on the market.

Brittany M. Wallace is a health and nutrition expert.

Should You Buy “Premium” Omega 3 Capsules, Or “Super” Omega 3 Supplements?

Supplements No Responses »

Apr 022010

If you’ve been taking omega 3 fish oil capsules for a while you may have come across “super” omega 3. Of course it’s a little difficult to say exactly what “super” omega 3 really is and how it differs from ordinary omega 3, or why it’s better than “regular” fish oil supplements. So it’s not 100 percent clear what you should be getting when you buy the “super” capsules.

Part of the reason is that there are big variations in the quantity and quality of the Omega 3 fatty acids found in many of the fish oil capsules available for sale, and it’s important that you learn a little bit about Omega 3 capsules before you buy.

There are big variations in the amount of DHA and EPA, the 2 most important essential fatty acids known as omega 3 fats, found in different capsules available today. Many capsules are called 18/12 capsules, meaning that in a 1000 milligrams capsule you get 18 percent, or 180 milligrams, of EPA and 12 percent, or 120 milligrams of DHA. But many other capsules contained widely varying amounts.

Of these 2 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is the most important Omega 3 fat. To give you an example the Omega3 supplements that I take myself have 2 1/2 times as much DHA as “regular” capsules.

You could assume that any omega 3 supplements described as super Omega 3 supplements would contain a much higher percentage of DHA (and EPA) than regular capsules and this is the case for these capsules even though they are not described as “super”.

But when you’re buying you need to consider a little more than just how much active ingredients you are getting in each of the various fish oil capsules available. Manufacturers are now starting to produce a new generation of omega 3 supplements that include a range of other ingredients which offer health benefits on top of the health benefits offered by the fatty acids.

To give you an example just this week a new “premium” omega 3 range was released. These contain 28 percent DHA but as well as that they also contain some new ingredients which have not been previously available. These ingredients will benefit your health and even your skin.

A good example is something found in tomatoes called lycopene. If you read the health literature you may know about lycopene already. There is growing evidence that increasing the intake of lycopene can reduce the risk of breast cancer for women and prostate cancer for men.

And new research is also showing that increasing our lycopene intake helps protect our skin from the UV rays of the sun, the primary cause of skin aging. Not only that but the research has also shown that increasing your intake of lycopene can actually start to reverse some of the damaging effects of the sun’s UV radiation. Skin aging through the effects of the sun is called photo-aging and it is becoming established that lycopene can help reverse photo-aging.

Modern science is getting better and better and our scientists are now starting to uncover some of the hitherto unknown health benefits of natural substances such as lycopene. And top quality health companies are now able to incorporate these types of ingredients into new products such as the new generation of omega 3 supplements now becoming available.

If you’re in the market for some Omega 3 capsules you need to understand a little about what you are getting when you buy. Price is not the only determinant, because it’s important to understand how much active ingredient (DHA) you’re getting in each capsule, and you also need to consider whether buying the new generation of omega 3 supplements now coming onto the market would be of benefit to you because of the extra ingredients now incorporated in these products, and their health benefits.

If you’d like to find out more about these “premium” omega 3 supplements then visit my website.

How to Forestall Cancer with Proper Diet and Supplements

Supplements 2 Responses »

Feb 172010

By epidemiological studies and by direct trials, much proof has by currently been gathered concerning the cancer prevention effects of bound diet measures, of specific food sources and of specific supplements of natural substances.

GENERAL DIET ADVICES

A diet with the aim of preventing cancer is mostly the identical as a diet to prevent heart disease and different diseases. Here are the overall diet advices

– Avoid or reduce the quantity of food that are industrially processed, artificially created or heavily fried.

- Eat fish a minimum of every second day. Also eat seafood and fouls.

- Don’t eat very abundant red meat.

- Eat five fruits or vegetables every day. Each piece ought to be of the size of an apple or carrot. They should be raw or fastidiously boiled thus {that the} nutrients aren’t washed out.

- Eat full corn bread, full corn cereals, peas, beans and potatoes.

- Eat just a moderate amount of fat.

. Ideally most fat you eat, ought to be of the kind mono-unsaturated. You furthermore mght need some poly-unsaturated fat of the sorts omega-three, and omega half dozen, but not an excessive amount of of omega-6. The consumption of saturated fat ought to be moderate.

- In order to achieve right fat balance, a lot of of the fat supply should come back from a mixing of sources like olive, olive oil, canola oil, nuts, nut oil, sunflower, sunflower oil, fish and fish oil.

- Use solely a moderate quantity of soy oil and corn oil in the diet. Only using such oil varieties can give you too muchmuch poly-unsaturated fat of the omega-half dozen-type.

– Use just a very moderate amount of fat sources like butter, coconut oil and palm oil. A high consumption of those fat sources provides you an excessive amount of saturated fat.

– Avoid altogether fat that has been chemically altered, giving thus-known as trans-fat. This type of fat is usually found in margarine, cookies, snacks, quick food and alternative pre-made food.

- Consume simply a very moderate amount of sugar, refined flour or refined cereals.

– Consume just a moderate consumption of tranquilizers and stimulants like alcohol and caffeine.

– Use just a moderate quantity of salt in the food. However, in heat weather and by hard physical work, you’ll need additional salt.

SPECIFIC FOODS AND DRINKS TO USE

Usually plants, fruits and spices with a robust colour or a sturdy taste have cancer preventing effects as a result of of the contents of bioflavonoid and different anti-oxidants.

Broccoli, cabbage, mustard, kale, and cauliflower are vegetables with proven strong cancer preventing effects, most likely because of the content of indole-3-carbinole.

Onion and garlic also are thought to help stop cancer.

Whole grain and bread made of whole grain will help stop colon cancer as a result of of the fibre content and possibly conjointly as a result of of the vitamins and minerals contained.

Red peppers give a protecting result against prostate cancer.

Eating fish, and especially fat fish, some times each week also have a protecting result against prostate cancer.

Evidence points to the conclusion that green tea can facilitate forestall cancer. But studies thus far undertaken don’t kind out all other variables that may offer the same result.

Some studies have indicated that drinking low reduces the incidence of cancer, however others studies have thrown doubt upon these results.

SUPPLEMENTS OF VITAMINS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES

Her are listed the foremost important cancer preventing effects advised by results from recent projects. However, analysis goes on, and these results are not nonetheless complete or completely certain.

These substances offer general cancer prevention effects: Sulforaphanes found in broccoli and alternative cruciferous vegetables.

Colo-rectal cancer: These substances help protect against colo-rectal cancer: Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), Folic acid / folate in combination with alternative B-vitamins, Selenium, Indol-3-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables, Genistein from soy, and presumably additionally vitamin D. Alfa-tocoferol (a quite Vitamin E) may help, but project results are not conclusive jet.

Gastric cancer: Substances which will facilitate stop gastric cancer, and even facilitate cure changes that can evolve into gastric cancer are: Vitamin C, Beta-carotene, (a precursor of vitamin A), Alfa-tocoferol (a kind of Vitamin E), Indol-three-carbinol from cruciferous vegetables, Genistein from soy.

Breast Cancer: The incidence of breast cancer will be lowered by: Folic acid / folate, Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), Selenium, and presumably vitamin D.

Prostate Cancer: These substances could help shield against Prostate cancer: Selenium and Alfa-tocoferol (a quite Vitamin E). An extended study is under approach, but the results from the study aren’t conclusive yet.

Bladder cancer: The possibility of obtaining bladder cancer is possibly lowered by alfa-tocoferol (a kind of Vitamin E).

Lung cancer: Substances that provides protection against Lung Cancer are: Isoflavones from soy. Indol-3-carbinol from broccoli and alternative crusiferous vegetables, Genistein from soy and possibly Vitamin D.

Results from analysis comes counsel that supplements added to the diet to prevent cancer should contain many working substances derived from natural sources, which it is not wise to use heavy doses of simply one substance.

NUTRIENTS THAT MAY HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT

Beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements might increase the prospect for heavy smokers of getting lung cancer and other cancers caused by smoking, according to results from epidemiologic studies.

But, these vitamins within the food doe not increase this risk. It is not clear what effect beta-carotene have on lung cancer in combination with alternative supplements or by non-smokers. The results from these studies are controversial.

Vitamin E supplements appear to protect against Cancer, however serious vitamin E amounts could in fact increase the prospect of getting heart problems and stroke.

How Do You Get More Omega 3 Fatty Acids In Your Diet If Fish Is Contaminated With Mercury?

Aerobics Cardio No Responses »

Dec 042009

The health benefits of omega3 essential fatty acids have been well publicised recently and it is becoming well known that most of us are deficient in the omega3 oils that are so important to our good health. Omega 3 essential fatty acids are found in fish oil, which obviously comes from fish. But if fish are contaminated with Mercury then what should we do?

A recent study published this year has examined the levels of Mercury contamination in fish and in the north Pacific Ocean. According to the results of the study the levels of Mercury in the North Pacific has increased 30 percent from’96 to 2006.

And as well is this it also found that around 40 percent of Mercury found population of US can be traced back and tuna that they have eaten which has been caught in the North Pacific.

This is concerning. Mercury is a serious environmental toxin and is no good for our health when we consume it. It is a neurotoxin and has serious implications for the developing fetus and infant.

Atmospheric production of Mercury as well as Mercury leakage from Asia were the major ways that it was found that Mercury made its way into the oceans. It is found in the oceans as methylmercury, and is found in our tuna because it starts at the bottom of the food chain and works it’s way up right up to fish at the top of the food chain like shark and tuna. And we eat shark and tuna.

So there is a dilemma here for anyone wishing to increase their intake of omega3 essential fatty acids from eating more fish. If you eat more fish you get more Omega3 oils in your diet however you also increase your level of Mercury consumption.

Not only that but fish is a declining resource and is also getting more and more expensive with time. Is there a better way to increase your intake of omega3 fatty acids other than by eating fish? Yes.

A much better way that is both more cost-effective and safer than eating more fish is by daily supplementation with omega3 supplements. These can be called fish oil supplements, and the best fish oil supplements are much more cost-effective than eating fish and are also free of contamination with Mercury. Large numbers of people now recognize this and the sales of omega3 supplements are increasing faster than any other nutritional supplement in history.

If you like eating fish then by all means increase your intake and this improves your dietary intake of omega3. However by doing so you are also increasing your intake of Mercury, as well as affecting your budget. But if you’d prefer to avoid the cost of buying fish as well is the risks of eating Mercury then omega3 supplements are certainly a much more cost-effective and are safer way to do so.

It is however worth noting that there wide variations in the quality of the various supplements available, and that the best fish oil supplements contain almost 3 times as much Omega3 fats as average capsules.

If you’d like to find out how to compare the different omega3 supplements available then you can do so on my website.

Want to know more about the health benefits of Fish Oil? Or more about Omega3 Fats? Visit Peter’s Website Healthy Omega 3 Fish Oil.

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