Finding the best fish oil capsules is simple, if you know what to look for. The factors that are most important include purity and freshness, omega 3 content, DHA content and anti inflammatory activity.
Some of those things will be listed on the label. You may have to do a little digging to learn about the others, but you should be able to find the information that you need on the manufacturer’s website. If they don’t make the information easy to find, then choose a different brand. There are lots of different brands on the market. So, there is no reason to settle for second best.
The omega 3 and the DHA content should be clearly listed on the label. Simply stating that the capsule contains 1000mg of fish oils is not sufficient. Only a portion of the oils found in fatty fish are omega 3s.
DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid is the longest chained fatty acid. Within the body, it can be easily converted into any of the other omega 3s, such as Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, but the reverse does not hold true. The best fish oil capsules provide a minimum of 28 or 280mg of DHA per cap.
DHA deficits are associated with learning and behavioral disorders, as well as depression and dementia. There’s a lot of fat in the human brain and about 40 of it is DHA. There’s a reason that fish is called brain food. There are no other natural dietary sources of DHA. Small amounts of omega 3s are found in plants and in grass fed livestock, but DHA is only present in fatty fish.
Information concerning purity and freshness should be available at the manufacturer’s website. The best fish oil capsules are free of contaminants and have very low levels of oxidation (spoilage). The manufacturer should have had testing conducted by an independent laboratory to prove that the oils are fresh and pure. You cannot take the company’s word for it. You should look for a COA or certificate of analysis.
Oxidized oils cause fishy aftertastes and burping. When oxidation levels are very low, then the product will be burp free. The better manufacturers guarantee it.
Fishy burps are annoying, but the worst part is that oxidized oils contain free radicals. We should make every effort to reduce the body’s free radical burden. The best fish oil capsules help us do that, because they have anti oxidant activity. Antioxidants neutralize free radical molecules before they can damage the cells.
Laboratories can examine the anti inflammatory activity of the oils inside of a capsule. Researchers have seen that some oils have more anti inflammatory activity than others.
Some manufacturers have had their supplements tested for anti inflammatory activity. But, if the supplement is manufactured in the US, there’s no reason to have the testing done. The FDA does not allow manufacturers to make specific claims concerning anti inflammatory activity, because that would make it a drug.
But, whether the FDA wants us to know or not, the best fish oil capsules do have a high degree of anti inflammatory activity and the manufacturer can prove it.
Author Resource:
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that taking omega 3 fish oil supplements is the single most effective way to improve your health. Visit her site now to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends after extensive research: http://www.TakingFishOil.com