Posted on 05/11/2010 8:07:54 AM PDT by Patriot1259
Fish oil supplements are constantly touted for their seemingly miraculous health benefits because they contain omega-3 fatty acids, according to ABC News. For people with heart disease, omega-3 acids can greatly reduce the risk of heart attack or dying from heart failure. Consumers should not necessarily avoid fish oil supplements because of PCB concerns from elevated levels of toxins like mercury in the ocean. But if someone has a low risk of heart disease and is concerned, then he or she could stop taking the supplements until further testing is done on specific fish oil supplements. follow the guidelines from the American Heart Association to find other sources of omega-3 acids such as fatty fish.
(Excerpt) Read more at thecypresstimes.com ...
I just eat a can of sardines occasionally.
IMHO, the concern about mercury in fish oil supplements is not warranted.
http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/lovaza-vs-fish-oil-supplements.html
I bought it and began gaining weight IMMEDIATELY!! No more of that for me.
There are non-fish oil omega-3 supplements out there.
Here’s a link to one, but feel free to google for alternative brands.
http://www.devanutrition.com/vegan_DHA.html
Isn't that ~Like~ the same thing?
It’s probably flax seed oil.
There are a couple of problems, the beneficial fatty acids are not present in the flax seed oil and require bioconversion in the body which may occur at varying rates based on genetics.
The second is that flax seed oil is not that healthy for males. It is related to some health issues, prostate cancer I believe. I don’t remember now but I switched to fish oil when the study was published a number of years ago.
My wife still takes flax seed oil because she doesn’t like the after taste of the fish oil.
Lots of twists and turns to this.
To start with, the desired active ingredient in fish oil is called Omega-3. Omega-3 is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, and works best in a balance with Omega-6, which most people get more than enough of in their diet. Importantly, Omega-6 has a mild inflammatory property.
So if you take a fish oil supplement, you want one with minimal Omega-6.
In turn, Omega-3 has two ingredients, called EPA and DHA. Of these two, DHA is the one that provides the greatest benefits. So much so that it is now being sold as a separate supplement. (Not to be confused with DHEA, which is a different supplement.)
Importantly, many types of fish oil are known to be high in urea, so if a person has a predisposition to gout, caused by too much urea in the blood, they should not take fish oil.
Otherwise, from a dietary perspective, fats and oils, by themselves, do not contribute much to weight gain, and may even result in weight loss, *unless* they are combined with carbohydrates. The two together most definitely are the recipe for weight gain.
So if you consume more fish oil, you should consume far less carbohydrates. And of those carbohydrates you consume, they should be far fewer simple carbohydrates, like sugars, and more like complex carbohydrates, long-chain carbohydrates that are harder to digest.
Do not be deceived by sugar substitutes, especially sugar alcohols, that do not affect the blood sugar levels because they are digested far down the digestive tract. They are still carbohydrates, and will still work with fats and oils to cause weight gain.
High fructose sugars are regarded as worse in this regard than ordinary sucrose, because they are more readily converted into fat.
One of the contributing factors to weight gain that may be helped by fish oil, are clusters of cells found in the fat, and proportionately more in the fat of obese people, called MAST cells. MAST cells produce histamines when irritated, resulting in something like an allergic reaction, but one that encourages fat cell growth and retention.
The DHA in Omega-3 in fish oil may help settle down irritated MAST cells, making it easier to lose weight.
It was increased risk of prostate cancer that was the concern.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/07/21/flax-seed-oil.aspx
It made a great deal of difference in how I felt. Subscribing to the fallacy that if two tablespoons is good, four is better resulted in a day or two of an upset tummy - burping, so I cut it back and am doing fine. I'm actually losing weight (Saints be praised), and have dropped one dress size since starting a month ago. Just don't over do it. We also eat a diet rich in fish and poultry, vegetables and rice -- both brown and long grain white. I season with sea salt in moderation, garlic and other herbs. I'm having a ball -- so many things to choose from.
Buy the kind that doesn’t have these chemicals. They are available.
“It is related to some health issues, prostate cancer I believe.”
It is best not to believe everything you read.
Ironically, I take fish oil AND flax seed oil. Fish oils can vary widely in quality. For example, if it makes you belch too much, it’s probably no good. I read a newspaper article recently which discussed the wide quality range of fish oils.
The flax seed oil I take is called “Udo’s Oil” (High Lignan 3-6-9 Blend) , and it actually contains, along with the flax seed oil, a blend of a bunch of different oils, including sunflower, sesame, coconut, bran oils.
Sheesh. Every time I turn around, something I’m taking causes cancer.
Did you read the link I provided?
The DHA used in this product is derived from algae grown under sanitary manufacturing conditions. It is clean, safe and free of contaminants. Now with the special coating our DHA capsules withstand stomach acid and dissolve in the small intestine to allow for better absorption. Delivering the omega-3 fatty acids directly to the small intestine also eliminates fishy repeat and aftertaste which is associated with most fish or algae oil products. Our animal-free DHA oil capsules are easy on your stomach*
Good for you in your weight loss and healthier eating endeavor!
We keep Bob’s flax seed on hand—which is also good for tossing in bread dough recipes. I haven’t tried sprinkling it m’ grits yet! Will try that tomorrow
:)
Thanks and FReegards!
That’s encouraging, fish don’t make the DHA ane EPA themselves, they get it from their diet. It sounds like the company is going directly to the source. There shouldn’t be the risk of bio accumulation of Mercury either.
I may consider this as an alternative to fish oil if the price is right.
Are the fish found in Japan lower in mercury?? Cause the Japanese eat much more fish than Americans and, well a few years ago when I last checked, the Japanese have a longer life expectancy than Americans.
So, if eating fish is bad, shouldn’t it be bad for those living in Japan as well?
Check around for other companies and compare prices online (including S&H charges)
Try “googling” “Non-Fish Omega-3 Supplements”.
FReegards!
“Are the fish found in Japan lower in mercury?? Cause the Japanese eat much more fish than Americans and, well a few years ago when I last checked, the Japanese have a longer life expectancy than Americans.
So, if eating fish is bad, shouldn’t it be bad for those living in Japan as well?”
You are essentially asking two different questions.
Is mercury bad for you?
Does low level mercury exposure lower life expectancy.
Yes mercury is bad for you. It causes damage to multiple organs and the effects can be measured even in low doses. Suprisingly, I don’t think that there is any evidence that low level mercury exposure shortens life expectancy.
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