Fish Oil Quality - What to Look For

You may not realize how many different manufacturers of fish oil on the market and how their products vary in quality. So what factors are important in fish oil quality? Well, there are a few key areas to take into account.

First, and foremost you have to remember that the oil comes from fish that may not be healthy themselves. So if the fish are tainted then the oil will either be of poor quality, or worse, it could even be harmful. It is best to know the origin of the fish to determine which is safest.

The main problem has been pollution. The quality of fish has declined in recent years due to toxins in the water - mainly mercury. This has been an increasing concern and now not only is it in our waters, but it is being carried into the food that we ingest from these waters. Mercury is poison in the body and can cause an avalanche of health problems and concerns. The positive effects of omega 3 are useless if it also contains poison.

There are companies that guarantee their batches to be free of such toxins. It may take a little research but it will be time well spent. Some even offer capsules with more omega 3 per dosage than before. This means more health benefits in less doses.

The kind of fish that are used to harvest the oil is also essential. Some fish such as sardines and anchovies contain much higher levels than others. This makes a huge difference in the collection, the quality of the source and the purity of the end result.

It is important to note that fish oil can contain two main components: EPA and DHA. DHA can be synthesised in the body from other forms of omega-3 but it is not an efficient process. It is better to include DHA directly in the diet.

The absolute amount of DHA in a supplement is not the only determining factor in fish oil quality. Also remember that no supplement is a magic pill and so should be taken in conjunction with smart eating and a healthy lifestyle in order to reap the benefits.

Visit my website at fishoilhealthsecrets.com to learn what questions you should be asking if you want to make an informed choice about fish oil health issues. Find out what other websites aren't telling you.