A study conducted by the Harvard University in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) showed that omega-3 deficiency is the 8th leading cause of death in America accounting for about 96,000 deaths a year.
The need for omega-3 supplementation is very clear, but which omega-3 supplement to choose is often a mystery.There are more than 200 omega-3 supplements available in the market. These are available in grocery stores, health stores and some are available exclusively online. How do you go about choosing the right omega-3 supplement?
Here's a list of do's and don'ts to help you decide.
Omega-3 Supplements:
What Not to Buy:
Don't purchase omega-3 supplements that are ordinary grade or health-grade fish oil. This type of fish oil has not been molecularly distilled and therefore, likely to contain impurities, PCBs and other toxins commonly found in fish.Don't choose flax-based or a plant-based omega-3 supplements. These do not contain omega-3 fatty acids, but rather a pre-cursor to omega-3 called alpha linolenic acid (ALA). ALA needs to be converted by the body to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This conversion varies from individual to individual and is often inefficient.
The two most important omega-3 fatty acids are DHA and EPA. Numerous clinical trials and major research studies have been conducted on DHA and EPA and shown positive influence on various aspects of health.Don't go by price or brand name alone. Just because an omega-3 supplement is more expensive than the other brands does not mean it is of higher quality. This concept can apply to brands as well.
In a recent independent lab test, several popular brands were found to contain detectable levels of PCBs and therefore, failed to pass the test.Don't think that cholesterol levels will be regulated just by just taking omega-3 supplements. Omega-3s are helpful and have the potential to make a difference. But you need to complement supplementation by a heart healthy diet and regular exercise.
If you are overweight, optimal weight management will further help support heart health. Don't choose omega-3 supplements that also contain omega-6 and/or omega-9. We get plenty of omega-6 and omega-9 through our daily diet. We need to take omega-3 fatty acids, as these are the essential fatty acids that are found deficient in the American diet. Avoid taking supplements that contain krill oil. Not enough studies have been done on krill oil to substantiate their use as an omega-3 dietary supplement.
Omega-3 Supplements:
What to Buy?
DO buy pharmaceutical grade omega-3 supplements. This is the only way to ensure that you are getting a fish oil that has the highest purity level. Pharmaceutical grade fish oils reach high purity levels of 90 percent and above. This is three times the level of EPA and DHA found in health grade fish oils. This also makes the fish oil more concentrated achieving a higher potency of EPA and DHA.DO purchase omega-3 supplements which contain a high potency of EPA and DHA. A good ratio between EPA to DHA is 2:1 and potency levels of 800 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA maximize health benefits without the fear of overdosing.
DO go with an omega-3 supplement manufacturer who has a history of manufacturing reputable supplements for a number of years. Check out the reputation of manufacturers online. Call up their customer service center and see if they are available to answer your queries.DO purchase an omega-3 supplement with an enteric coating. The enteric coating allows digestion of the fish oil to take place lower down in the digestive tract so that you do not experience the unpleasant belching that is often associated with regular omega-3 supplements.Just about everybody who is health conscious knows about the health-supportive benefits of omega-3 fatty acids to the body. Choosing an omega-3 supplement, like Triple Strength Omega-3, is the best choice for a high-potency and high-purity fish oil supplement. It contains pharmaceutical grade fish oil with a purity level of over 90 percent. High potency content of EPA and DHA maximizes the potential health value of omega-3 fatty acids. Enteric coating avoids those nasty fishy after burps!
How to Buy Omega-3 Supplements
