Comprehensive studies make it easy to find out the vast health benefits we could gain from fish oil but picking the best fish oils is never an easy task. Heart disease prevention, anti-inflammatory properties, and even hair loss prevention are just a few of such health benefits that have been connected with fish oil. For this reason, the fish oil supplement industry has thrived, which has its positive and negative effects.
One benefit is that these omega-3 fish oil supplements are easily obtainable to those who desire to take advantage of their health benefits. The negative effect is that many companies jump on the bandwagon for easy profit by making low-quality types of fish oil supplements. Selecting a suitable brand is much more difficult with all these brands available.
However, to choose the best fish oil becomes trouble-free by trying to distinguish the better fish oil supplements from the inferior ones. Keeping in mind a few basics will help.
Fish oil supplements are beneficial to us because they have omega-3 fatty acids; specifically DHA and EPA. It is only logical that the best fish oil brands have more of these omega-3s compared to the lower-quality products. Remember to check the label in your fish oils; the more DHA and EPA, the better.
For every 1,000 mg of fish oil, each capsule should contain 600 mg or a 60% concentration of Omega-3.
All fish products are at risk from toxin contamination but the best fish oil should be pure and free of toxins. It is because of this risk that doctors do not prescribe fish oil supplements to pregnant mothers, regardless of the fact that it can have positive effects to the baby’s brain development, as some studies point out.
Due to the absence of a reliable regulatory board that people could look to, determining which fish oil supplements were pure, used to be very complicated. Thanks to the Nutrasource Diagnostics Inc. of Canada , which came up with the International Fish Oil Safety (IFOS) program.
Before the IFOS program, the standards for toxin-free fish oil supplements were too lenient everywhere in the world. Fortunately, the IFOS has since created a strict set of world standards for purity of fish oils based on five parameters:
• Passes all CRN/WHO testing categories
• 60% or higher Omega-3 concentration
• Oxidation Levels less than 75% of CRN standard
• PCB Levels Less than 50% of CRN standard
• Dioxin Levels Less Than 50% of WHO standard
The best fish oil supplement should earn a 5-star certification from the IFOS at the minimum. This stepwill definitelytaper the selection process for the best fish oil. Two brands, Nordic Naturals and See Yourself Well, are 5-star certified that are available in the United States.
To summarize, the best fish oil should offer not only value, but also well-being. The label should indicate whether or not your fish oil supplement meets your Omega-3 fatty acids requirement, and don’t forget to checkthe 5-star certification from the IFOS!
Brittany M. Wallace is a health and nutrition expert.
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