“Deep Sea Fish Oil” — Just One More Sales Ploy?
April 11, 2010 by Brittany Dee Wallace
Filed under Supplements
An increased recognition of the benefits of omega-3 by the science and health community is the cause for the growing recognition of fish oil as reflected in the news and commercials. Another term used to describe fish oil is “deep sea fish oil”. What precisely is “deep sea fish oil” and why is it important when buying a fish oil supplement?
Fish oil, in broad terms, is not exactly produced from “deep sea” fish, or those species living in very deep waters (1800m) where light can hardly penetrate the water. Herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines (species that can be actually found in more shallow waters) are fish that have the most oil and have the utmost natural omega-3 concentrations.
Because these species of fish are lower on the food chain, have shorter life spans, and are small in size, they do not contain as much toxins compared to the larger species that live longer (some can live up to 70 years) and those that eat lots of smaller fish. This makes them more ideal for fish oil pills. In addition, the species cited above are ideal due to the fact that they can reproduce quickly and are easy to sustain.
Buying a product from a reputable company that specializes in fish oil products may provide some degree of guarantee because there is actually no other way to be sure. For instance, a marker that says “deep sea” could just indicate that the fish were from the open ocean rather than from shallower waters. So, when you search for an omega-3 fish oil product, you would undoubtedly run into varied marketing slogans and terms that, in turn, would lead to uncertainty and misinformation. Because the benefits of fish oil become more recognized, these products can be simply found in stores today, pharmacies, and grocery stores. But with all these marketing claims that can stump the uneducated consumers, what should you look for?
Firstly, examine the label for specific fish species instead of vague terms like “marine lipids” or “fish oil concentrates.” Next, ensure that the precise quantity of DHA and EPA (the Omega-3s in fish oil) in each serving is indicated. It is a good idea to examine the DHA and EPA content against the price to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money. Before you buy your fish oil, it wouldn’t hurt if you do some study and go for products from companies with a status for high quality and purity standards. Although such standards are not officially enforced in the United States, there are international guidelines and third-party verification organizations that set the standards for fish oil quality. A reputable fish oil company will offer details about their manufacturing processes – from catching to canning / bottling – and present evidence of their claims validated by dependable third-party agencies.
What are omega-3 fatty acids and why do we need them? Omega-3 fatty acids are not only good, but also important, for our health. Because omega-3s can be best acquired from fish, taking fish oil is among the best and safest ways to get these extremely beneficial substances.
In more specific terms, the benefits we can get from fish oil supplementation include the lessened risk of cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation. It can also assist to deal with blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, clinical studies and research demonstrate that using fish oil can lessen the symptoms linked to disorders like depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, and bipolar. Fish oil also aids in brain improvement and helps it to work more efficiently. Have we realized now that there is indeed a need for fish oil? However, it’s not necessary to choose a fish oil product that claims to be “deep sea fish oils.
Read much more about fish oils on the website of Brittany Dee Wallace. Brittany is an expert on health who studied all the deep sea fish oils for over 10 years.