Health Tips

Fish Oil Capsules are more than just brain food. Recent studies have found an association between consumption of fish oil and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as improvements in other health conditions, such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. The benefits of consuming more fish is directed at the effects derived from omega 3 fatty acids in many fish species.

Support for the use of fish oil capsules primarily comes from three well known epidemiological studies, two of which were carried on outside of the United States. One study, conducted in the Netherlands, suggested ingestion of as little as 35 grams of fish per day (a single one-half pound meal of fish per week) might help prevent coronary heart disease, possibly significantly reducing mortality due to cardiovascular disease in a 20 year follow up. Further, it has been suggested a regular diet of fish may decrease levels of plasma triglycerides, plasma cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LOL) , and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL)

While on the other hand; two other epidemiological studies have shown no relationship between fish consumption and cardiovascular mortality. Yet it is important to note there is some conflicting evidence regarding the benefits of fish oil consumption on blood pressure and its relationship to the development of some types of cancer.

In general, fish oil capsules supply concentrations of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DNA). The EPA-DNA rich fish oil is generally sold in soft gelatin capsules. The gelatin provides an oxygen barrier which prevents the development of toxic lipid peroxides (e.g. malondialdehyde) . Liquid, non-encapsulated formulations generally do not have this protection, and therefore may contain some toxic lipid peroxides.

In most cases the fish oils come from cold water ocean fish. Encapsulated products contain fish oil, not fish liver oil. This distinction is important since fish liver oil contains fat-soluble vitamin A and vitamin D, which if taken excessively have the remote potential of being toxic.