| There are some things that you need to know | | | | lemon. Most manufacturers still add artificial |
| before you buy or take cod fish oil. Everyone can | | | | flavorings. These flavors can mask the smell of |
| benefit from a daily omega3 supplement, but | | | | rancid oils. Because of their short shelf-life, you |
| Atlantic Cod is not the best source of omega3s. | | | | need to be able to smell the oil, before taking it. |
| Here's a little shopping guide to help you find a | | | | Consuming rancid oils will make you very sick. |
| high quality supplement. | | | | When the oils are encapsulated, there is no need |
| The Atlantic Ocean is heavily polluted with | | | | to worry about rancidity, but cod fish oil is still not |
| mercury, dioxins and PCBs. Mercury accumulates | | | | your best choice. Usually, the oils are expressed |
| in the liver and flesh of fish that swim in these | | | | from the liver, rather than the flesh. They contain |
| waters. PCBs and dioxins are commonly found in | | | | too much vitamin A, which can be toxic at high |
| oils derived from them. In recent years, | | | | doses. They have too much EPA and not enough |
| numerous supplements were pulled from the | | | | DHA. |
| store shelves, after the European Union passed | | | | EPA and DHA are two of the most important |
| tighter restrictions for contaminants. | | | | omega3 fatty acids. ALA is an omega3 found in |
| It is possible to distill the oils, using molecular | | | | plants and vegetable oils. Flaxseed supplements, |
| distillation, but manufacturers of cod fish oil rarely | | | | for example, contain ALA. |
| take that step. If you want the safest | | | | The body can convert ALA to DHA, if EPA is |
| supplement, the source fish should be small like an | | | | present, but it will only convert a small amount. |
| anchovy or a hoki. Larger fish like cod, sharks and | | | | Research has shown that increasing ALA intake |
| swordfish are higher on the food chain. Their | | | | does not increase circulating blood levels of DHA. |
| bodies contain more contaminants. | | | | Low levels of DHA are associated with |
| Species that do not swim in the polluted North | | | | depression, heart disease and degenerative eye |
| Atlantic are better choices. The cold waters | | | | diseases. |
| separating New Zealand from Antarctica are the | | | | So, it is important to compare supplements |
| cleanest on the planet. That's where hoki are | | | | carefully before you buy. Check for the DHA |
| found. But, regardless of how clean the ocean or | | | | content. |
| how small the species, the oils should be | | | | Recent studies show that DHA may even reduce |
| molecularly distilled to further purify and | | | | our risk of some types of cancer. |
| concentrate the omega3 content. | | | | But, because it is often contaminated, cod fish oil |
| At one time cod fish oil was the only choice for | | | | might actually increase that risk. |
| omega3 supplementation. It tasted so bad that | | | | Shop with care and protect your health. |
| manufacturers started adding artificial flavors, like | | | | |