Let’s say that we have two different (brands) of fish oil sitting side-by-side. Each bottle has 1,000 mg capsules. Are the capsules the same? The answer is NO.
Here’s why: With regards to Omega-3 there are HUGE differences with regards to sources, quality, and quantity. The best source of Omega-3 oil is from cold salt-water fish such as sardines, anchovies, herring, and mackerel. Warm water and fresh water are not acceptable sources. Does that mean that eating warm water and fresh water fish is bad? No, they just aren’t good sources of Omega-3.
With regard to quality, much of it has to do with the extraction process of the oil from its source, as well as the elimination of PCB’s, dioxins, furuns, PAHs, mercury, and of course other heavy metals. You obviously want to remove unwanted junk while still preserving the quality of the oil.
When it comes to the right amount, here is what you need to know: At the very least, an average adult should be taking 1000 EPA per day. We did not say 1000mg of omega-3 fish oil per day. We are specifically saying 1000mg of EPA.
EPA (Eicosapentaenic Acid) is the heart and soul of fish oil. It, along with DHA (which is much more important for little ones and nursing moms), are what counts when it comes to omega-3 oil. Two 1000mg capsules may have very different levels of EPA. Some have as little as 70 mg, and others have as much as 750mg. The point? Oil…is not oil…is not oil.
There should also be a natural balance of EPA and DHA as you would find in nature, like when you eat a fish. Most other brands either have low EPA/DHA or they hyper inflate one or both using chemical processing. You should strive to be as close to nature as possible with an 18:12 full complement fatty acid profile. This way your body says, this is fish and knows what to do with it.
Now, we all know what to look for in our Omega-3 oil. In our practice, we carry only the finest quality omega-3 oil, in both liquid and soft gels. We take pride in carrying high-quality products and we are constantly looking for the best. To learn more about our Protocol for Life Balance Ultra Omega 3, click on the images above.