Too Much Fish Oil
Most health food and grocery stores have products claiming to be DHA supplements or omega 3 fish oil. This article will try to eliminate some of the confusion caused by these marketing labels.
DHA is one of eight essential fatty acids that are collectively called omega 3 acids. Many doctors, nutritionists and researchers think that the biggest nutritional problem in the Western world is an omega 3 deficiency. They all work together but their are numerous reasons why informed consumers are now using DHA supplements instead of the more generic omega 3.
1] It is a major component of our brains [about 25%]. Low levels of it are associated with numerous mental problems including depression, memory retention, ADD, mood swings and Alzheimer’s.
2] It is part of every cell membrane in our bodies and helps control not only the individual cells but also how they work together.
3] It is also important for our hearts, eyes joints and immune system.
Why won’t a “normal omega 3 product work?”
It will but not as well. DHA is a complex molecule and can break down into more simpler omega 3 acids if needed. The reverse is not so easy. In other words having extra DHA on hand is a good thing.
The real question is how do I prevent a nutritional deficiency?
The FDA, among others, warns about eating too much fish due to the increased danger of mercury and other heavy metal poisoning. Our best choice is now a quality DHA supplement.
First, get a product sourced from cold water fatty fish like salmon or mackerel. I use one that comes from hoki, a fish found near New Zealand. It swims in one of the cleanest places on earth and contains high levels of the nutrients we need.
Also, look for a supplement that is molecularly distilled. This process separates out the contaminants by weight and allows the fish oil to be both safe and highly concentrated. By the way, do not compromise on this issue.
And finally, get a product that has more DHA in it than anything else – 25% of the total will do [250mg or more for every one gram soft gel]. Do not get one with any additives except vitamin E or perhaps rosemary extract; they are natural preservatives that insure freshness.
In the past I used other omega 3 fish oil supplements that violated the guidelines that I just mentioned. I may have been doing more harm than good without knowing it. It was not until after doing more thorough research that I discovered my mistake.
To do your own research in this area, please visit my website.
Learn about the DHA fish oil that we use daily after extensive product comparisons and research. Visit: http://www.omega-3-guide.com/