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Fish oils

  • 11-08-2009 8:18am
    #1
    littletiger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 256 ✭✭


    Is there any real difference in brands when it comes to Omega 3 fish oil concentrate, once it is fish and not plant based?


Comments

  • #2
    El_Dangeroso
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 5,620 ✭✭✭El_Dangeroso


    There are differences in potency, quality and purity, and you'll pay extra for all three.

    The things I look for in a fish oil supplement are:

    Potency - You want a supplement where you can get 1,500mg of combined EPA + DHA (the most important Omega 3's - how much is contained will be on the packet) without having to swallow 30 gelcaps.

    Size - Some of the cheaper ones are good quality but are horse-tablet sized and I find them difficult to take without choking!

    Taste - You don't chew them but you'll 'taste' them later on (ew). I get ones that have orange oil mixed in so you don't notice the taste.


    Purity - Unfortunately a lot of fish has become contaminated with heavy metals, this of course affects their oil, the most pure is 'Pharmaceutical grade' and the less pure would be unprocessed like cod liver oil. Krill oil is supposed to be the gold standard as krill are lower in the food chain and therefore have less toxins

    Buying online is much cheaper but you can't see how big the gelcaps are until you get them. I buy MorEPA but I'm thinking of switching to something else as they are a little low on DHA.


  • #3
    EileenG
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    There was a big consumer study done a while ago (sorry, forget who by) which found that fish oil is generally what it says it is, but you do need to read the label.

    More important than the size of the serving (capsule or spoon) is the amount of EPA and DHA in each. A reasonable amount would be about 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA. If your choice is much lower than this, pick a different one. Even at that, most people could easily double or triple the serving without problems, and if being treated by a doctor or nutritionist, could be taking a huge lot more.

    One thing, I would keep them in the fridge. If you are prone to fishy burbs, you could even keep them in the freezer and swallow them frozen.


  • #4
    El_Dangeroso
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 5,620 ✭✭✭El_Dangeroso


    Thanks for the tip Eileen! I never thought of freezing them.

    This is gross but I enjoy the orange oil burps from the MorEPA, makes me feel like I've drank orange flavoured lucozade :P


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