Fish Oil Dietary

The Best Fish Oil Dietary Supplements

Fish oil is the best known source of omega-3 fatty acids, but all fish oil supplements are not the same. Selecting the wrong supplement could mean that you get little or none of the health benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acids. What's worse is that some fish oil supplements contain contaminants that can endanger your health. In order to choose the best fish oil dietary supplements, there are several things that you, the consumer should consider.
First, there are basic considerations that apply to all dietary supplements, no just fish oil supplements.

You should always ask question:

What are the health benefits from it?

The brain needs adequate levels of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in order to maintain and rebuild cells. Fish is often referred to as "brain food". Scientific studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids found in some fish support optimum brain function. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may improve your memory and your ability to focus on the task at hand, whether it be taking a test, writing a novel or driving your vehicle.
People suffering from conditions, such as depression, multiple sclerosis, attention deficit disorder and similar problems have shown improvement after increasing their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. In the studies that support these statements, the participants were given some of the purest and best fish oil dietary supplements.
The heart needs EPA (eicospentaenoic acid) in order to maintain proper circulation. The best fish oil dietary supplements contain both EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association recommends fish oil dietary supplements for people who have suffered a heart attack. It is believed that fish oil supplements may help prevent certain types of heart disease.
The joints function better when there are adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. In research studies, people suffering from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis noticed improvement in flexibility, a reduction in pain, reduced morning stiffness and less dependence on over the counter or prescription pain medications.
Fish oil supplements can improve the moisture content and elasticity of the skin. They can improve the appearance, texture and strength of a person's hair. Omega-3 fatty acids are found to serve a function in practically every system of the human body.
Are there any side effects?
The best fish oil dietary supplements are odorless and tasteless. Capsules are easy to swallow. They are molecularly distilled to remove all impurities and contaminants.
You should choose a fish oil supplement that is manufactured by a reputable company that sells a variety of health supplements and is not new to omega-3 supplement manufacturing. Experienced manufacturers know how to choose the source fish and how to properly remove contaminants.

That brings up other questions that apply specifically to omega-3 supplements.

Not all omega-3 supplements are derived from fish oil. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids do not contain EPA and DHA. They contain an omega-3 fatty acid that can be converted to EPA or DHA, but the conversion process is inefficient and only a small amount is actually converted. The only way to be sure that you are getting all of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is to choose a fish oil supplement.
Some fish oil supplements contain artificial flavorings. In some cases, this technique is used to mask the taste and odor of rancid fish oil. The manufacturer should collect and freeze the oil when it is first harvested in order to avoid spoilage, but most do not.
What type of fish and what part of the fish is the oil derived from?
If the manufacturer does not list the type of fish, do not buy that brand of fish oil supplement. Some manufacturers use whatever is cheapest, with little concern for safety. Many fish have been contaminated by pollutants. They contain high levels of mercury and PCB's (poisonous substances that are a bi-product of manufacturing processes).
Fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean are the least safe. Specifically you should avoid Codfish, (which means cod liver oil), Atlantic salmon, shark, and Atlantic halibut. You should also choose a fish oil that is derived form the flesh of the fish, not the liver, because the liver is the dumping ground for every toxin that the fish has ever been exposed to.
The best choice, according to everything that we have read, is the New Zealand Hoki fish. It is becoming an increasingly popular choice for fish sticks and filets, because of the lack of toxins found in the fishes environment. Located of the southern coast of Australia, the ocean waters surrounding the island country of New Zealand are considered the cleanest in the world.
Is the fish oil molecularly distilled?
Molecular distillation removes any remaining contaminants, leaving the purest of fish oil for omega-3 supplements. Some companies advertise an "all-natural" fish oil. Those fish oils contain numerous contaminants and the only real reason that companies choose to sell them is because they are cheaper to manufacture.
The Bottom Line:
* Omega 3 fatty acids provide numerous health benefits to people of all ages.
* The best known source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish oil.
* The best fish oil dietary supplements come from fish that swim in clean ocean waters, contain no additives and are molecularly distilled to ensure safety and purity.

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Omega 3 Fish Oil for Liver Disease

Omega 3 Fish Oil for Liver Disease

Studies have shown that people with liver disease tend to have low concentrations of long chain Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in their liver cells. For example, an increase in fat droplet size in the liver cells has been associated with a reduction in the Omega 3 fatty acid Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. Why this is the case is currently unclear but the role of fish oil as a possible treatment and perhaps preventative measure for liver disease remains an area of investigation.

Can Omega 3 inhibit liver cancer cells?

Two recent studies by the University of Pittsburgh and presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington DC, (April 2006) indicate that Omega 3 fatty acids appear to slow down the growth of liver cancer cells and reduce levels of beta-catenin. Elevated levels of beta-catenin have been associated with the development of a variety of tumours.

One of the studies investigated hepatocellular cancer, the most common type of liver cancer, the other investigated cholangiocarcinoma a form of cancer arising in the part of the liver that carries bile. Both studies involved treating the cancer cells with either Omega 3 (EPA and DHA) or Omega 6 fatty acid (AA) for a period of 12 to 48 hours.

The findings of both these studies were that Omega 3 treatment inhibited cell growth and that it was dose-dependent whereas the Omega 6 had no effect. Dr Tong Wu and colleagues thought that the Omega 3 effect was most likely due to the introduction of apoptosis or programmed death of the cells.

Omega 3 and Fatty Liver

A fatty liver is one where more than 10% of the liver is composed of fat. This build up of fat can occur for a number of reasons including alcohol abuse, obesity, hyperlipidemia (too much cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood), diabetes, and poisoning. The two major types of fatty liver can be divided into alcoholic and non-alcoholic types but both are precursors of serious liver disease including hepatitis and cirrhosis.

The simplest form of fatty liver is known as steatosis and is a result of an accumulation of fat in the liver but doesn't appear to cause liver damage. However, steatohepatitis is a more serious form of fatty liver and is associated with inflammation and liver damage possibly leading to permanent scarring and cancer. Why a liver becomes fatty in the first place is not well understood but is thought to be linked to a number of factors including increased absorption of fat from the intestines and a decreased ability to remove the fat from the liver. Those most at risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are people who are overweight, those with diabetes and those who have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

It is already known that long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties and can lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and lower triglycerides, and that they have a blood-thinning effect. Studies also indicate that they can reduce the fatty droplet deposits to the liver as well as improve insulin resistance and general liver function.

A long term pilot study conducted by researchers Capanni and colleagues at the Department of Clinical Pathophysiology in Florence, Italy suggests that long chain polyunsaturated Omega 3 fatty acids could have a role in improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 42 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were given Omega 3 for a year, 14 participants acted as the controls. Those on Omega 3 had decreased levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) as well as lower levels of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and fasting glucose when compared with controls. High levels of AST are an indication of liver disease. The ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 was also reduced and an ultrasound scan showed improvements to the liver.

Research

One interesting area of research is developing involving Omega 3 fatty acids and parenteral nutrition. This is where patients who cannot eat normally are fed intravenously and it is known that prolonged feeding in this way can lead to serious liver damage, particularly in babies and small children. Researchers at the Childrens Hospital in Boston and published in the July 2006 issue of Paediatrics, discovered that if the type of intra-venous fluid is changed from the usual Omega 6 base to Omega 3, the liver doesn't appear to get damaged.

Conclusion

The early indications are that fish oil supplementation has the potential to offer therapeutic benefits as well as preventative measures for liver disease and although more research is required the future does look promising. In the meantime fish oil supplementation can offer a number of positive health benefits but it is important when choosing a supplement not to opt for cod liver oil due to its vitamin A content, which can put extra pressure on the liver. It is also advisable not to take one of the standard grade fish oils as the quantity of Omega 3 fatty acids they contain can vary and they can also contain impurities. Fish oil that is highly concentrated and of a pharmaceutical grade is the best way to ensure you get the maximum health benefits from a fish oil.

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