There has been a growing attention to the benefits of Omega 3 by the science and health community and this is the reason why there has also been a growing popularity of fish oil in the news and commercials, and similar products have surfaced. Another name used 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 product?
Fish oil, in broad terms, is not exactly produced from "deep sea" fish, or those species living in very deep waters (1800m) where sunlight can scarcely penetrate the water. Herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines (species that can be really found in more shallow waters) are fish that have the most oil and have the highest natural omega-3 concentrations.
One more reason why these species of fish are ideal for quality fish oil supplements is because they are lower on the food chain, have shorter life spans and are small, which implies that 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 a great deal of smaller fish. Furthermore, the species cited above are most suitable due to the fact that they can reproduce quickly and are easy to sustain.
Buying a product from a respectable company that specializes in benefits of fish oil might offer some level of guarantee because there is simply no other way to be sure. For example, a label that says "deep sea" could just indicate that the fish were taken from the open ocean rather than from shallower waters. So, if you go to look for an omega-3 fish oil product, you would undoubtedly bump into various marketing phrases and terms that, in turn, would translate into confusion and misinformation. Because the benefits of fish oil are becoming more recognized, these products can be simply found in stores today, 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?
Firstly, examine the label for specific fish species instead of generalized terms like "marine lipids" or "fish oil concentrates." Next, ensure that the exact quantity of DHA and EPA (the Omega-3s in fish oil) in each serving is listed. It is a wise 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 buying your fish oil, it would not hurt to do some sort of research and go for products from manufacturers with a character for high quality and purity standards. Although such standards are not legally mandated in the United States, there are international policies and third-party testing organizations that create standards for fish oil quality. A reliable fish oil manufacturer will give details about their manufacturing processes - from catching to canning / bottling - and present proof of their claims validated by reliable third-party agencies.
What exactly are omega-3 fatty acids and why would need them? Omega-3 fatty acids are not only good, but also essential, for our health. Since fish are by far the most abundant source of omega-3s, taking fish oil is among the best and safest means to obtain these extremely valuable substances.
In more explicit terms, the benefits we can gain from fish oil supplementation include the diminished risk of heart diseases, and inflammation. It can likewise assist to deal with blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, clinical studies and research demonstrate that using fish oil can ease the symptoms associated to disorders like depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, and bipolar. Fish oil also facilitates brain growth and helps it to work more efficiently. Can anybody claim we *don't* need fish oil?? However, it's not essential to buy a fish oil product that claims to be "deep sea fish oil."
Read more about deep sea fish oil on the website of Brittany A.M. Wallace. Brittany is an expert on health who studied fish oil supplements for over 10 years.
Filed under Supplements by on Jul 30th, 2010.