| Fish oil rating is not the easiest job. It takes some | | | | chain of fatty acids. On the other hand, DHA can |
| research. When I'm comparing products, online, I | | | | easily be converted into any other omega-3, |
| disregard anything that does not list the species | | | | simply by shortening the chain. Low levels of DHA |
| of fish that the oil is derived from on the label. | | | | are associated with a variety of health problems, |
| In addition, when companies use a variety of | | | | including depression, ADHD, Alzheimer's and |
| different fish, but then list an exact amount of | | | | degenerative eye diseases. Any fish oil rating that |
| omega-3, DHA and EPA in the product, I know | | | | does not include the DHA content does not |
| they are talking about the highest amount, | | | | provide enough information for you to make an |
| because the omega3 content varies from species | | | | informed decision. |
| to species. It is even variable in the same species, | | | | Everyone wants to save money, but don't be |
| according to the season. For example, fish caught | | | | tempted by cheap dietary supplements, |
| in colder months tend to have higher EPA content. | | | | particularly when it comes to omega3s. The |
| When you see online fish oil rating services, you | | | | Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) recently sent |
| must remember that the supplement | | | | surveys out to many of the supplement |
| manufacturers are paying a fee or a commission | | | | manufacturers in the US. Many brands provided |
| to the website that provides the ratings. Some of | | | | incomplete information or did not respond to the |
| the websites are honest and use the right | | | | survey, at all. |
| standards for evaluation. Others simply list | | | | Judging by the results reported by the EDF, |
| available products, without doing any research. | | | | salmon oils are among the worst choices. |
| For example, one website gives high ratings to | | | | Companies like Rite-aid, K-mart and Twin-lab failed |
| Carlson "Super Omega-3(TM)". But, as is the case | | | | to earn the best fish oil rating from the EDF, |
| with most brands, the EPA content is higher than | | | | because they do not adhere to standards for |
| the DHA content. It really should be just the | | | | maximum contaminant levels. |
| opposite. | | | | The highest standards are the International Fish Oil |
| It is believed that the body can convert one | | | | Standards, although some companies own |
| omega-3 to another, on an as-needed basis. | | | | standards exceed theirs. This is one of the |
| Otherwise, strict vegans would have "zero" DHA | | | | supplements that should at least be researched |
| circulating in their bloodstream, because plant | | | | online. You need to be able to view the |
| sources of omega3s provide only ALA. Research | | | | company's "certificate of analysis" or COA. This |
| has shown that vegans do have some DHA in | | | | analysis ensures that the oils are nearly free of |
| their blood, but the amount is very low. They | | | | hazardous heavy metals and other toxins. |
| have also found that increasing ALA intake with | | | | Fish oil rating is easier, when you have reliable, |
| flax seed or other supplements does not | | | | third party information. If the manufacturer does |
| adequately increase DHA levels. | | | | not provide a COA, don't buy it. |
| ALA must first be converted into EPA, because | | | | Visit to discover the fish oil supplements some |
| both are needed to make DHA. It is a longer | | | | doctors are now recommending after research. |