How Clean Are Your Fish Oil Supplements? A Buyer’s Guide

Most people take fish oil supplements as a way to improve their health. However, just like all food sources, there are different levels of quality.

Supplements can be expensive. But opting for the least expensive option could mean you are ingesting a pill full of toxins.

The best way to know where your fish oil source comes from is to do a little research. You may find labdoor interesting.

Research shows that two-thirds of all people in the United Kingdom don’t eat oily fish. Fish oil is an omega-3 fatty acid that acts as an anti-inflammatory and natural pain reliever in the body.

Omega 3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, demonstrate equivalent effect in reducing arthritic pain when compared to Ibuprofen. They are also a safer alternative than using over-the- counter medications such as NSAIDs, which may cause stomach ulcers.

What's more, fish oil has been shown to reduce sudden cardiac death by stabilising cells membranes and suppressing cardiac arrhythmias.

It even has a therapeutic role in patients with high blood pressure, helping to reduce risk for diseases such as cardiovascular, neurological, immune disorder, cancer and diabetes (Assisi et al, 2006).

A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduces plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improves body fat composition, prolongs bleeding times and reduces platelet content.

Interestingly, fish oils have two anti-atherogenic effects, a hypolipidemic action and an anti-thrombotic action upon the platelets (Kantha 1987).

These supplements can also help to keep your brain young. People who consume low amounts of omega-3 fatty acids have less brain mass than those who eat increased amounts; the equivalent to about two years of chronological aging.

Britons are currently advised to eat fish at least twice a week, including one portion of oily fish.

Look for DHA and EPA count when choosing a fish oil. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for quality of life and lowering the risk of premature death.

EPA and DHA function in the cell membranes and generate neuroprotective metabolites. They have been shown to benefit attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, depression, bipolar disorder and aggression.

DHA is believed to help nerve cells communicate with each other. Natural food sources include oily fish such as herring, mackerel and sardines. Extra EPA and DHA intake must not exceed 5g per day.

Some species of fish contain significant levels of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and other environmental contaminants. Fish found in fresh waters and oceans have the lowest amount of toxins.

To reduce the amount of PCBs present in fish, be sure to remove the skin before cooking. However, mercury is present throughout the muscle of the fish, so trimming the skin won’t eliminate all toxins.

The FDA regulates all farm-raised and imported fish. But for fish that contains the least amount of toxins, be sure to look for wild fish.

Unlike farm-raised fish, wild fish have been free to live naturally and are not given the opportunity to be injected with or fed chemicals.

If you choose farm-raised fish, be sure to look for a farmer that is certified organic and provides clean water and feed for its fish.

One of the most important yet overlooked things to look for in any supplement is the ingredients of the capsule. If it is filled with words you can’t pronounce or don’t look natural, it probably isn’t good for you.

UnoCardio fish oil capsules are made of natural ingredients, including antioxidants rosemary oil and tocopherol rich extract (vitamin E), and are gluten and lactose-free.

They also provide 1200mg of omega-3 in its most readily available form and contain a scientifically proven dose of EPA and DHA.

Made using environmentally-friendly technology, they are a smart choice for the environment. Only the best sources of fish oil are used in UnoCardio, ensuring a very low amount of PCBs and toxins when compared to other fish oils.

They may be of particular benefit to pregnant women. Pregnant women who consume an extra 200mg of DHA per day, in addition to a daily intake of 250mg, will improve eye and brain development in her growing foetus.

Studies show that supplementation with fish oil during pregnancy decreases the risk for early birth. It also boosts the immune system of both pregnant woman and her baby.

Assisi, A., Banzi, R., Buonocore, C., Capasso, F., Muzio, V., Michelacci, F., Garattini, S. (2006). Fish oil and mental health: The role of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in cognitive development and neurological disorders. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 319-336.

Kantha, S. (1987). Dietary effects of fish oils on human health: A review of recent studies. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine.

Have a look at our Fish Oil Supplements page, in particular Uno Cardio 1000 for more information on healthy fish oils.