Want Stronger Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements?

I'm sure you've probably already read quite a lot about fish oil and the important Omega 3 fatty acids it contains.

So I imagine what you really want now is some new and exciting Omega 3 info - something you haven't come across before, right?

How about some juicy, little known manufacturing secrets that supplement companies hide from you because they expose weaknesses in their fish oil products?

Want to know?

I used to work for a supplement manufacturer so I know all about the things they try to keep hidden from you!

Manufacturers and supplement companies have been distorting the truths for many years carefully moulding consumers beliefs so as to make people think and believe what the manufacturers want!

I'm also a high performance qualified tennis coach specializing in working with world class professional players.

Optimizing health is a CRITICAL part of my job!

I'd like to help you to understand the key differences in the various brands so that you too can enjoy even more of the supa dupa health benefits of fish oil supplements and omega 3.

Use these content links to discover what the manufacturers don't want you to know!

CONTENTS

• Fantastic health benefits (from the right type of oil)


• Important Omega 3 basics


• How much do you need


• First key thing you must know


• Pharmaceutical Grade fish oil - No Such Thing!


• 2nd key thing you must know


• 3rd key thing you must know


• Elite Fish oil criteria shopping list


• The Fish Oil That I use

Fantastic Health Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements

The powerful health benefits of Omega 3 are extremely well documented and most are supported by thousands of credible studies. Whole books have been written on the topic!

Follow this link to read about fantastic fish oil health benefits in more depth and access the clinical studies.

• Promotes good overall health and wellness




• Reduces risk for sudden death




• Reduces all-cause mortality




• Cardiovascular protective benefits




• Promotes optimal LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio




• Strengthens immune response




• Anti-inflammatory activity




• Protects and strengthens eye health




• Supports healthy energy levels




• Better joint function and mobility (e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis)




• Boosts skin health




• Improves mental alertness and concentration




• Helps keep tissues healthy




• Helps promote healthy pregnancies




• Preliminary studies suggest fish oil may reduce the risk of developing breast, colon, or prostate CANCER!

And the truth is NO!

As you're about to learn, there are important KEY DIFFERENCES in fish oils that determine their level of safety, effectiveness and ultimately how much of these health benefits you actually receive!

The Long And Short Of Omega 3's

The following Omega 3 basics will help you understand the differences in fish oils so you know what to avoid when choosing Omega 3 products.

No need to get sucked in by manufacturers' marketing half truths and lies!

Firstly, we have essential vitamins and minerals. You know all about those already and that without a regular supply of them your body starts to gradually break-down with disease.

But did you know there are other essential nutrients your body must have as well?

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are Polyunsaturated Fats (the good fats). They too are scientifically classified as essential to human health. Your body can't synthezise them so you must get them from food and supplements.

Think Of Them As Fish Oil Vitamins.

There are long chain omega 3’s and there are short chain omega 3’s.

The difference is in the number of carbon atoms within.

Have you ever read that you can get all the Omega 3 Fatty Acids you need from plant foods such as flaxseed and walnut? I've seen this all over the web!

And it's NOT TRUE!

Those foods contain short chain Omega 3's but your body needs the long chain omegas (containing DHA and EPA fatty acids – the specific omega 3’s with the most helpful and proven health benefits). I'll discuss these further down.

You may also have read that your body converts the short chain into long chain Omega 3's.

Well this is true to some extent but the process is very inefficient resulting in a tiny conversion percentage and is dependent on several factors.

DHA and EPA are found only in fish, the best source of which is cold water fatty fish, particularly Salmon and Tuna. You probably knew that, right?

DID YOU KNOW THERE'S DEADLY TOXINS IN YOUR FISH?

Most oceans, particularly those in the Northern Hemisphere, contain dangerous levels of poisonous:

• mercury


• dioxins


• organochlorine contaminants (PCB's)


• chemical solvent's

Some species of fish, particularly Fatty fish like Salmon, mackerel and herring, store these terrible toxins in their fatty tissue. When you eat them there is the risk of those cancer-building toxins storing in your body!

Mercury is the most significant contaminant found in fish. Mercury occurs naturally in trace amounts in the environment. But industrial pollution can produce mercury that accumulates in lakes, rivers and oceans. Microorganisms in the water create a conversion of mercury into the highly toxic form of methylmercury.

For example Mercury exposure via the womb can lead to learning deficits, while delaying the mental development of children, and causing other neurological problems.

So all leading health experts now recommend we limit our intake of fatty fish to a maximum of 2 servings per week.

But if you're pregnant it's one fish meal per month! (Note: This recommendation is significantly lower than the FDA's January 2001 recommendation that pregnant women eat 12 ounces a week of any fish (other than shark, swordfish, tilefish or king mackerel which research has confirmed contain dangerous levels of methylmercury).

Most health conscious people are aware of this advice and appear to be following it.

So you won't be surprised then to know that recent studies reveal that 90% of Americans OF ALL AGES don't get anywhere near enough Omega 3 from their diets!

Other lesser sources of Omega 3 are egg yolks, nuts, nut oils, unrefined vegetable oils and whole grains. All foods that average western diets contain way too little of.

Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements
How Much Omega 3 Do You Need?

A lot more than you’re probably getting right now!

If you’re like most people you’re taking in way too much Omega 6 and way too little Omega 3.

Omega 6 is another essential fatty acid, the primary sources of which (today) are refined commercial cooking oils; corn, soy, safflower, sunflower and canola.

Here's The Problem:

Due to the over-abundant use of omega 6 rich cooking oils in our food supply (fried fatty foods, potato chips, biscuits, pastries, snack foods etc), the ratio today of omega 6 to omega 3 has reached 20:1 (Remember: It should between 2:1 to 4:1)

This serious imbalance, along with the widespread use of Trans fats, is strongly implicated in the alarming rates of heart disease, cancer, inflammatory problems, autoimmune illnesses, and other chronic degenerative disease.

Because omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids compete with each other to be converted to active metabolites in the body, benefits can be reached by decreasing intake of omega-6 fatty acids and increasing omega-3 fatty acids. One of the most important benefits of fish oil supplements is their ability to help correct this health-critical ratio.

How Much To Nourish Your Health?

If you have no health conditions, such as elevated triglycerides, the recommendation is at least 1000 mgs of Omega 3 daily for cardio-protection.

The US FDA will not recommend an average daily amount (only maximums) but Health Canada's research on Omega 3, and the benefits of fish oil supplements, arrived at 1000 mg. Of course this is only an average and if you can afford to take more then do so (up to 2000 mg).

The US FDA recommended maximums for adults are:

Total daily intake of EPA and DHA not to exceed 3 grams per day with no more than 2 grams per day from a supplement.

Note: The American Heart Association warns about taking in more than 3 grams a day because EPA and DHA make it harder for blood to clot.

Excessive bleeding thus becomes a worry. This bleeding risk is increased if you also take aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen, or herbal supplements such as garlic or ginseng. (1)

Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements
The 1st Key Thing You Must Know!

DHA is short for Docosahexaenoic Acid.

DHA and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) are the long chain fatty acids I told you about above which are associated with all the fantastic health benefits of fish oil supplements.

DHA constitutes the building blocks of the brain, forming about 8% of the brain by weight.

Note: DHA is crucial substance in assisting brain development of babies in the womb and in the first 2 years of life. Would-be mothers should begin supplementing with pure Omega 3 oil in the months before conception (see 'purity' section below).

Research has begun to pile up which shows that DHA offers more powerful cardiovascular benefits than EPA.

Originally it was thought to be the other way around which is why fish oil supplements always had more EPA than DHA (and most unfortunately still do).

Studies have also shown that DHA is stronger at boosting ‘good’ HDL cholesterol and at lowering the levels of dangerous triglycerides in the blood. (2)

Plus DHA exerts more powerful benefits for regulating healthy blood pressure than the same amount of EPA can manage.

DHA content should be the first thing you consider when choosing your supplement. This ensures you receive more of the most powerful benefits of fish oil supplements.

If you would like to read a (lengthy) scientific study on the numerous health benefits of DHA please follow this link (opens a PDF file).

Most fish oils have a standard 180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA composition. Since DHA is more expensive for manufacturers to use than EPA, most of them continue to include only 120 mg of this important component.

This is not enough!

Look for quality products containing 250 mg or more of DHA per soft gel. They’re out there - but there's not many.

Remember I mentioned above that food like flax seed contains short chain omega 3 fatty acids and your body converts these to EPA and (to an even smaller degree) DHA.

Please don’t rely on getting your Omega 3’s from these sources as the conversion process is very inefficient – around 10% and is negligible in most people.

The benefits of fish oil supplements are far superior to those from plant sources.

Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements
"Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil" - Don't be Fooled!

"Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil."

You've seen this plastered all over the Internet, right?

Well, the truth is there's no official standard or criteria for 'Pharmaceutical Grade' when it comes to fish oil supplements.

It’s just a marketing term.

But-none-the-less these kinds of products are (usually) higher grade fish oils because they’re highly concentrated – the DHA content is high

And this is what you’re after so be on the lookout for pharmaceutical grade fish oils

Once you find them please study the label to be sure they conform with the 2 other super important criteria just below.

Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements
The 2nd Key Thing You Must Know!

Huh?

You probably haven't heard of fish oil in Ester form before because it's a superior type of fish oil that most supplement companies can't afford to manufacture (or choose not to because they're too concerned with profit!)

And here's why Ester form is what you want.

Fish oils in triglyceride form have to convert to esters before your body can use them!

Unfortunately they have some trouble in this conversion (in passing through your cell membranes) so absorption is greatly reduced.

If you're interested in the technical details this next section explains the process and problem.

Sometimes because of the structure of the triglyceride the fatty acids are not released but rather stay attached to the glycerol backbone.

In contrast, if the oil is esterified during the concentration and purification processes the resulting substance can easily enter the body’s cell membranes. The esterified molecule has no charge and only requires one enterase enzyme to release the fatty acid (DHA). This enables the body to use it as an immediate energy source, or store it for later use.

Using fish oil in ester form allows your health to be NOURISHED with far more of the incredible health benefits of fish oil supplements!

Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements
The 3rd Key Thing You Must Know!

You've read above about the serious contamination threat of eating fatty fish to get your quota of omega 3 fatty acids. This threat naturally extends to fish oil supplements as well and any toxic contaminants they contain will endanger your health and absolutely negate the benefits of fish oil supplements.

So the location of the where the fish are caught is very important!

Remember, that rules out most of the waters in the Northern Hemisphere!

The type of fish used is also extremely important.

A single cold deep water fish from unpolluted waters is what you want.

Did you know that most fish oil products are a mixture of cheap oil products and are transported long distances from third world countries in less than ideal conditions!

They do not come from the same country where they were encapsulated and due to the long transport times in tankers, artificial (and undesirable) additives must be added to stop the oil from turning rancid.

The only 'good' additive that should be there is vitamin E (in addition to the natural vitamin E component found in Omega 3) to prevent depletion of internal vitamin E levels that can occur with ingestion of supplemental fish oil.

So using fish oil derived from fish in unpolluted waters is the way to go but did you know you can go one step better than this?

To assure absolute purity you should use fish oil that has been molecularly distilled!

This is a process which filters out ALL contaminants including mercury, lead and those LIFE-THREATENING PCB's.

When it comes to molecular distillation, bottom-line profits once again come into play for fish oil manufacturers because the distillation process is expensive.

Most manufacturers can’t afford to do it or CHOOSE NOT TO!

Don't risk having the awesome health benefits of fish oil supplements reduced to long term liabilities by using unsafe Omega 3 oil.

Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplements
Let's Sum Up

I like to think of the various brands of fish oils like cars. There's a huge difference in quality between a Mercedes and a cheap mass produced one.

If you want your health to be nurtured and protected with more of the life-extending benefits of fish oil supplements just memorize my Omega 3 shopping list.

My Personal Fish Oil Criteria Shopping List!

1. High DHA content



2. From a single cold water fish in unpolluted waters



3. Molecularly Distilled



4. Ester form

The absolute best Omega 3 product I've found which passes all criteria in my list above is


Omega 3 / DHA Esters

Please use this link to learn more about this EXTRAORDINARY oil.

It's unbelievably affordable considering how good it is. I believe it to be a one of a kind product which I've been using since 1999!

I've yet to find a more superior Omega 3 fish oil ( and I review hundreds of products a year!)

End: Benefits of fish oil supplements

Now I'd Love To Hear From You.....

Improving your health is a wonderful reason to celebrate, and be proud.

Have you experienced any of the same benefits of fish oil supplements mentioned above?

I'd love to know your results and how your health has improved. Let me and my readers know which brand of fish oil supplement you're using.

Share Your Results And Inspire Others!

Click on the links below to read some great health success stories submitted by people experiencing the awesome benefits of fish oil and Omega 3.

Omega 3 DHA Esters did clear up my skin blemishes - By Judith 
Omega 3 has done wonders for my skin. It is well known for its ability to help the skin and this is the reason I first started using an Omega 3 supplement....

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Benefits of fish oil supplements - Sources

1. Harvard Health Publications. HEALTHbeat. June 21, 2006.


2. Buckley R, Shewring B, Turner R, Yaqoob P, Minihane AM. Circulating triacylglycerol and apoE levels in response to EPA and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in adult human subjects. PMID: 15469651 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]