How to Determine the Best Fish Oil Supplement
How to Determine the Best Fish Oil Supplement
You need to know how to determine the best fish oil supplement if you want to get the maximize health benefits from fish oil.
Fish oil is the best source for the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are essential to good health. But taking a low quality fish oil supplement that may be contaminated by environmental toxins or contain rancid oil will negate the health benefits that DHA and EPA provide. And unfortunately, there are plenty of low quality fish oil supplements on the market.
Here are the five primary factors you need to consider in order to determine the best fish oil supplement:
1. DHA and EPA Amounts. The fish oil supplement must contain high amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, with the dominant fatty acid being DHA. DHA is the most beneficial omega-3 fatty acid. Some fish oil supplements contain low amounts of DHA and EPA, while others contain an adequate amount of EPA but very little DHA.
2. Bioavailability. The fish oil supplement must be very bioavailable. The more bioavailable a fish oil supplement is, the more easily it will be absorbed by your body and the more effective it will be in providing health benefits. The bioavailability of different fish oil supplements varies greatly.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties. The fish oil supplement must have strong anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil are what provide many of the health benefits. Some fish oil supplements have minimal anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Purity. The fish oil supplement must be free of contaminants. Some fish oil supplements have been found to contain 70 times more PCBs (an industrial chemical) than other fish oil supplements. Other fish oil supplements have been found to contain toxins such as mercury, dioxins, arsenic and lead.
5. Freshness. The fish oil supplement must contain fish oil that's as fresh as possible. Some fish oil supplements contain rancid oil, and use additives or flavoring to mask the rancidity. Rancid fish oil not only causes "repeats" or burping, it can also increase damaging free radicals in your body.
It's important to note that many fish oil supplements are advertised as being "pharmaceutical grade" in order to show high quality, but there's actually no such thing as pharmaceutical grade fish oil. It's a term that was initially used by one particular fish oil marketer and is now being used by other fish oil marketers. The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) has not set standards for the quality, purity, strength and consistency of fish oil.
In conclusion, now that you know what primary factors need to be considered in order to determine the best fish oil supplement, you'll be better able to experience all of the fantastic health benefits that fish oil provides.
Discover what brand of fish oil supplement is the best fish oil supplement on the market by visiting http://www.functional-fitness-facts.com/best-fish-oil-supplement.html
The side effects of taking fish oil supplements include fishy burps, upset stomach, diarrhea and possible interaction with prescription blood thinners. Consult a doctor before starting a regimen of fish oil supplements using advice from a licensed dietitian in this free video on nutritional supplements.
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