What is fish oil? That is a question that has what looks like a direct answer - oil from fish. However, the answer is misleading because there is tremendous variety, not only in the various species, but in the health benefits each provide. Knowing the subtle differences makes you an informed consumer.
The reason people are even asking what is fish oil is the omega 3 content in it. A recent study of Alaskan Eskimos verified what thousands of other studies have discovered. There is a direct relationship between the amount of omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil in the blood and overall health. The Eskimos have much fewer Western health difficulties like heart disease, eye problems, joint stiffness and immune system issues.
There are many different species of fish but as a general rule the predatory ocean variety have the most omega 3 content. That would include oily or fatty types like salmon, tuna, sharks and mackerel.
These fish store the omega 3 in their muscles, while non oily "white" species like cod, store it in their liver. Most people prefer to stay away from cod liver oil because it is too high in vitamin A. In order to get the amount of omega 3s you need, you would have to take doses that would cause a vitamin A overload - possibly to the level of toxicity.
There are other sources of omega 3s like eggs, walnuts, flax and grass fed beef. Unfortunately, they are either impractical or inefficient.
Many people are not only wondering about what is fish oil but also what else is in it? They are rightfully worried about ocean toxins, like arsenic and PCBs that are absorbed by all the various species. The FDA recommends only two servings a week of seafood. Some experts think that is too much. In the US, the state of California makes stores publish warnings about anything caught in the Pacific Ocean. Other states like Vermont have similar warnings for the Atlantic Ocean.
Given the safety issues, many consumers turn to supplements. The quality companies use a process called molecular distillation which separates out the contaminants and allows the oil to be concentrated.
My product is sourced from hoki, which swims in the Southern ocean southwest of New Zealand. There is very little commercial traffic because of the national parks and the fact that their western neighbor is Antarctica. It is also processed locally.
I mention this because many producers purchase their supplies that are extracted from a variety of fish from wildly different sources including third world countries. They are transported across the world in tankers and pass through the tropics. As a result the oil is very prone to rancidity and has to have many additives to try and minimize this problem. Avoid these products.
Summing up. What is fish oil? It is believed by many health professionals as the single most important nutrient that needs to be added to our diets - particularly here in the West. However, there is big difference in the quality of supplements. My website can help in this area.
Author Resource:
Get my free five-part mini course on the benefits of omega 3, including critical information on why you should take omega3 fish oil .
To sign up for the course and get more tips on the importance of omega 3, visit my website:
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