Fish Oil Supplements – Good or Bad?
The many health benefits that come from taking fish oil supplements are well known today, but many people do not realize that there is a purity issue when it comes to this substance. The main concern is mercury contamination, but there are other things to consider as well.
Fish oil obviously comes from fish. Yet, where the fish come from is a major concern not only when taking supplements but when consuming it as a food source as well.
Not all fish that are used for oil or as a food source are taken from the fresh ocean as most people assume. There are fish farms now that raise and sell fish to manufacturers. The fish that come from these farms have been tested and it turns out they tend to have more impurities than fish fresh from an ocean.
Different types of fish naturally contain different amounts of mercury and other toxins. This means that the exact type of fish used for your supplement does matter. For example, many people who eat fresh fish will go for salmon over tuna because tuna is known to have higher mercury counts.
Cod liver oil is the best type, especially when purchased in a pure liquid form. This is not as easy to find and may run a little higher than other supplements, but knowing exactly where the fish came from is well worth it.
The purity of the oil is a major concern. You don’t have to spend big bucks to get a good supplement, but doing a little research into different brands can help guide you toward something that is more pure. You can’t assume that the cheapest brand on the shelf at your local store is going to be as healthy as one that may be just slightly higher priced.
To maximize your health benefits, look around for a 100% cod liver oil supplement in liquid form. You may have to spend a little more money for this and it doesn’t have a really great taste, but it well worth the mental and physical benefits.
You can always mix the oil into milkshakes or smoothies so that the taste is completely masked. Even children will easily take it if served in this manner. For a very simple smoothie combine the oil with frozen fruit and juice and simply blend.
Most people do not eat fish three or four times a week, which means most do not get the fish oil they need from their diet. There are considerable mental and physical benefits that have been proven to come with taking fish oil supplements on a daily basis. This includes children!