By Rich Hawkins

Omega-3 fish oil capsules are one of the most important changes we can make to our diet, according to one of the world’s leading scientists, helping to save hundreds of thousands of lives. Check out the benefits and tips for selecting the right one.

You may be aware of some of the benefits like prevention of strokes and heart attacks, lowering of cholesterol and high blood pressure, but many more are being discovered all the time including boosting the immune systems and improving eyesight.

The problem is nowadays due to their increasing popularly, there are many fish oil capsules to choose from and many are not up to scratch.

The main factor is to ensure they contain a high level of the most important omega-3 fatty acid, DHA. There other important one, but less useful is EPA. Recent research show us that it is DHA that is responsible for most of the health benefits and when you consider that over 30% of our brains are made up of DHA fats, you can see why it is so vital!

You should be able to see the relevant levels on the website of label of the product and if the DHA/EPA amounts are combined, then avoid it as it will be low quality. The European Union recommend taking at least 200mg of DHA per capsule for example.

The next factor is purity and if you can find species like Hoki fished from sustainable pristine unpolluted water, you will get high levels of purity and DHA fats. The Southern Ocean of New Zealand is one such place and one of the last unpolluted waters left on earth.

Ensure that the fish oil capsules have undergone molecular distillation to remove any remaining toxins like mercury and lead. This process removes these impurities leaving only pure safe concentrated oil. Unfortunately many have not gone through this process as it is expensive, and so can contain harmful levels of toxins.

The oil in the capsules should be tasteless and odorless, showing that it is fresh, and if you want to check just open it up and smell. It should have a faint ocean smell and no more! Many companies add an unnecessary enteric coating or flavorings to disguise the fact that the quality is lower and the oil is slightly rancid.

High quality fish oil capsules will not repeat on you, like the unpleasant fishy burps so many can cause due to poor handling and oxidization, and two capsules a day is sufficient to gain the benefits not four or six as I have seen on some products!

I hope this information of fish oil capsules will help you to get the maximum benefits from this truly amazing oil, allowing you to enjoy the benefits without any risk.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality fish oil supplements I personally take daily, visit my website today.

Discover the best fish oil capsules today.

Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and amazing health benefits of high-quality fish oil Discover the very latest and effective DHA omega-3 fish oil supplements Rich recommends after extensive research.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rich_Hawkins

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By Alicia McWilliams

There are many benefits to introducing probiotics into you or your loved one’s system. Probiotics are a way of reintroducing the friendly bacteria that normally reside in the digestive tract. These friendly bacteria can die off through a variety of illness or digestive problems, leaving an unbalanced digestive system.

When the digestive system becomes unbalanced and has too many of the unfriendly bacteria, digestive pain, diarrhea, loss of weigh, poor energy level, and a susceptibility to infection as well as a poor immune system response is the result. Any time your loved one has been ill, gone through stress, or constantly is dealing with constipation or diarrhea, a probiotic can help.

The probiotics of today come in a variety of forms including those developed in whole food powder supplements, those that come in natural food sources, and those that are synthesized. It’s important to understand that the delivery of the probiotics is just as important as the source of the friendly bacteria. Be sure to look for those probiotics supplements that offer a live culture delivery system if at all possible. This can come in a natural food product such as acidophilus and lactobacillus yogurt products, or in a natural food supplement, or possibly in pills that suspend the bacteria in a safe environment.

Older people and older pets including horses can all benefit from a probiotic supplement. The aged system may no longer be able to maintain the balance of the friendly bacteria in a healthy amount and weight loss and diarrhea may be the result. So as your older loved one’s system begins to slow down, you may find that introducing a probiotic supplement into their diet on a regular basis may help them get back on track and begin to show vitality in the eyes, hair and weight.

Probiotics can also benefit a variety of those going through illness difficulties. You may talk to your doctor or veterinarian any time you’re loved one is going through cancer treatments, is developing IBS, has contracted a viral or bacterial illness, or has been severely injured. Any time the body is stressed, the bacteria in the digestive tract can become unbalanced. Be proactive with the treatment of your loved ones and look to a probiotics supplements before surgery, before treatment, and of course, any time that antibiotics are used.

Antibiotics are often the cause of yeast infections, and this can develop into an extremely irritating situation. Whether it’s your pets, or someone in your family, any time they are put on a series of antibiotics bring cultured yogurts into their lives. This will help the body combat the dying off of the friendly bacteria due to the antibiotics, and allow them to keep their digestive tract functioning smoothly. You’ll find that most pets and people will consume these cultured yogurts easily and quickly. The benefits of a probiotics are many, and any time the body is stressed, is aged, or is dealing with a compromised immune system, probiotics supplements can help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alicia_McWilliams

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By Will Brink

A few years back a bunch of studies supported the concept that both the timing and type of carbohydrate athletes used could have positive effects - for both aerobic and anaerobic oriented athletes. Since then there has been a rush to find the “best” pre and post workout carb source. As is typical for the bodybuilding/fitness industry, a new “miracle” carb source burst onto the market almost monthly promising muscle growth second only to an Anadrol* enema, but I digress… The point being, there’s been a great deal of information, misinformation, and down right disinformation, regarding these “amazing miracle anabolic” carb sources. The pinnacle of which, is Waxy Maize Starch (WMS), but before we get to that, let’s back up a second to recap why the focus on these carb sources.

A Brief History…

The basic concept goes like so: Most people are aware that nutrient timing is as important as nutrient composition. In other words, it’s not just what you eat, but when you eat it that gives optimal results. As the man said, “Timing is everything.” Consuming the right nutrients at the right time can have positive effects on body composition, which can equal more muscle and less body fat as well as improved performance.

Following an intense exercise session, there’s a “metabolic window” - so to speak - where the body preferentially shuttles glucose, amino acids, and other nutrients, into the liver and muscles via both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent transport mechanisms. Translated, this means your body will shuttle carbs and protein into the tissues you want (muscle) instead of storing them as fat after a workout. So far so good…

To carry the analogy further, the metabolic window doesn’t stay open indefinitely, so you need to take advantage of the opportunity while it lasts.

A number of studies have found that a post-workout drink containing high-GI carbs** is highly anti-catabolic. Adding protein to the mix - depending on the protein - has an additive effect with the two working synergistically to create an anabolic environment that’s superior to either nutrient alone.

Obviously there’s a great deal more to it, but the above is intended as a quick recap of the concept vs. an exhaustive review on the topic.

Back to Waxy Maize Starch (WMS)

So with the above brief summary of why the big interest in various carb sources pre and or post workout, we can focus for a moment on WMS. WMS has been pushed heavily as an optimal carb source with sellers claiming superior effects to other common carb sources such as maltodextrin and dextrose. Claims of faster glycogen resynthesis after tough workouts “rapid absorption” and faster gastric emptying, are the common claims made by those selling WMS. I’m sure people have also seen claims about “high molecular weight, low osmolality” and other fancy terms being thrown around also. So is any of this true, or have people been fed another over hyped poorly supported bag of goods? Let’s see…

“Just The Facts Ma’am”

One major claim of WMS is “rapid glycogen” storage after exercise compared to other carbs. One study compared WMS to dextrose, maltodextrin, and a “resistant”*** starch. 8 male cyclists were put through a workout designed to deplete their glycogen stores**** so their muscles would be primed for glycogen storage as mentioned above in the “Brief History” section. Furthermore, after feeding them these various carb sources - at 24 hours after the glycogen depleting workout program - glycogen levels were essentially the same between the WMS, dextrose, and malto. In fact - although not statistically significant - dextrose was the best of the bunch in this study for getting glycogen levels back up after the exercise protocol (1) which is what athletes should strive for after tough workouts.

Another big claim of WMS is as a pre workout carb source, but is it any better than, say dextrose? The answer appears to be NO. Ten well trained, elite male cyclists were given either WMS, dextrose, resistant starch (RS), or placebo, and their ability to sustain endurance work after ingesting these carb sources and placebo tested. Performance during prolonged endurance exercise is related to the ability to maintain blood glucose levels via glycogen storage and ingested carbs before and or during the exercise. So, these researchers wanted to see which of these carb sources consumed pre-exercise would maintain performance during prolonged exercise. That is, which carb source would fuel the greatest amount of work in the final 30 minutes. First, they gave the cyclists (at separate times) each of the carbs (about a 75 gram dose) 30 minutes before their 2-hour ride. The blood glucose and insulin response from dextrose was 3 times higher in the first 15 minutes; at 30 minutes glucose was still over 1.5 times higher while insulin remained 3 times higher. Then they did their exhaustive ride. The study found dextrose and WMS similar (although dextrose still had a slight edge) in their ability to maintain performance with RS and placebo being less effective (2). Again, WMS did not show itself to be anything special and slightly less effective then good old dextrose. This also is the first study (of several-see more below) to show WMS to be low glycemic and low insulinemic (low insulin spiking).

“So Why All The Hype, Will?”

So at this point the reader is thinking “then why all the hype over Waxy Maize, Will? Where is all this info coming from about this carb source being so great if it’s not so great?!” I feel your pain and will answer your questions! This is where things get more interesting.

The Real Deal…

A carb source that has an optimal pre and post workout profile for the resynthesis of glycogen after tough workouts, fast gastric emptying, and improved performance, has a high molecular weight and low osmolality and should spike blood glucose and insulin levels post workout. Studies suggest the best of the bunch for this purpose is a patented carb sold under the name Vitargo. What sellers of WMS have unknowingly (some might suspect knowingly…) done is use the data and claims from Vitargo and applied them to WMS, as if the two were interchangeable, with some getting the impression WMS is just a generic form of Vitagro, which is not the case. For example, sellers of WMS claim it’s absorbed rapidly, increases glycogen stores quicker than other carb sources, and improves performance (similar to Vitargo), but the studies that exist do not support that (or show the opposite…) and or simply don’t exist to support it as the studies above clearly demonstrate. What does exist, however, are studies showing Vitargo to have these effects. As I said, it appears sellers of WMS have “pirated” the studies actually done on Vitargo as if they were interchangeable carbs sources, when they are not. As already shown, WMS is, at best, about equal to maltodextrin and dextrose, or inferior to those carb sources, depending on which study you read. For example a study just completed -and soon to be published- out of Purdue University, found WMS had a 3 times lower glucose response compared to maltodextrin, and a 3 times lower insulin response, and even 2 times lower than white bread! (3) So even white bread appears to be a superior post workout carb source than WMS if one is looking to spike glucose and insulin levels, which leads to enhanced rates of glycogen storage and anti-catabolism. It’s interesting to note that WMS has been shown to have such a slow and steady effect on glucose and insulin levels, scientist now routinely refer to it as “slow digesting” or “low glycemic.”

So What Of Vitargo?

Vitargo is an interesting starch carbohydrate with some interesting properties. A study published in 2000 compared Vitargo to maltodextrin plus sugars and their respective effects on glycogen storage after an exhaustive exercise protocol and found Vitargo to be far superior to malto/sugars for rapidly replacing muscle glycogen levels both two and four hours after the exercise sessions (4). By “far superior” I mean 70% better over the 2 hour period, which is no small amount.

A follow up study published in 2008 found similar effects, but with some additional twists in support of Vitargo as a unique carb source. This study found that Vitargo was superior for performance during a subsequent bout of maximal exercise just 2 hours after glycogen-depleting exercise. In a nut shell, on three randomized visits 8 guys were put through an exercise protocol designed to use up a bunch of their stored glycogen (ergo, they were glycogen depleted), and then fed 100g of either Vitargo, malto/sugars, or flavored/artificially sweetened water as control. They waited 2 hours and tested their performance (ability to do “work”) via a 15 minute high intensity time trial test on a cycle ergometer and found the group that had been fed the Vitargo right after the prior workout 2 hours before had superior performance for the second high intensity trial. This makes perfect sense; if Vitargo rapidly replaces glycogen levels in muscle and the liver, the person will be able to perform better during their next exercise session, especially if those bouts of exercise are within the same day. If glycogen levels are not boosted back up by the next exercise session, performance will suffer. As the authors of this study summarized well:

“Limiting factors to post-exercise muscle glycogen re-synthesis following carbohydrate feeding include the amount, timing, and form of carbohydrate administered, the rate of gastric emptying and intestinal absorption of the ingested carbohydrate, glucose storage and output by the liver, and muscle glucose transport and oxidation.”

Translated, it’s not as simple as just the carbohydrate’s glycemic rating or whether it’s a “simple” or “complex” carb. There are a lot of other factors involved and science has come a long way in understanding what those biological factors are.

Gastric emptying rates are another important issue to athletes as the faster it leaves the stomach the faster it enters the intestines where it is digested and absorbed. Fast gastric emptying and digestion means the faster glucose levels, insulin spikes, and subsequent glycogen storage and enhanced post workout anti-catabolic action, not to mention no one enjoys having a drink sloshing around in their stomach during or after a workout. It’s just unpleasant and if it’s sloshing around in your gut it’s not doing squat for your muscles! A 2000 study compared the gastric emptying rates of Vitargo to a carb source derived from maize starch and found Vitargo “significantly” faster emptying rate from the stomach, which would partly explain why Vitargo appears to replenish depleted glycogen levels so quickly when compared to other carb sources (5).

Conclusions

In the above review, I was trying to keep the science mumbo jumbo to a minimum. So what’s the take home on the above?

For endurance athletes and people following multiple sessions per day in the gym, Vitargo is a no brainer as the pre/post workout carb source of choice. For those focused exclusively on gaining lean body mass (LBM) and strength, doing traditional programs where a single exercise session is done in day lasting an hour or less, it’s unclear at this time if Vitargo is going to have additional benefits on body composition above and beyond what malto or dextrose can achieve as this has not been studied. In theory however, faster gastric emptying, higher and faster insulin spikes, and enhanced rates of glycogen resynthesis, etc., should be beneficial to strength athletes following traditional programs, but more data is needed. Bottom line here is if I was looking for the least expensive carb source pre/post workout, I would use malto and or dextrose. If I wanted to use what appears to be the most efficient carb source that data suggests has superior properties for athletes, I would use Vitargo. WMS however is a bust and would not even be in the running between those choices in my view.

It’s easy to see why people are often confused regarding WMS vs. Vitargo, and why sellers of WMS have taken advantage of that fact. Vitargo can be derived from WMS, so they are essentially the same thing right? Wrong. Vitargo can be derived from WMS, potatoes, rice, wheat, and other sources, so even if WMS is used as the starting source, it’s a very different starch as the finished product. If one reads the patent on Vitargo***** there is a very interesting statement made which is on testing, “it will be found there have occurred novel types of bonds which do not occur traditionally in native starch.” What that means is, it’s a starch not normally found in nature and is structurally and functionally different than the starch source it was derived from. A true “designer starch” if you will, which appears to be optimally designed to favor the rapid formation of glycogen.

The Brink Bottom Line: More data is needed in my view on Vitargo to answer some lingering questions, but it’s one of the few products out there with more substance than sheer hype (which is more then can be said for WMS…) with Vitargo firmly in the “might be worth a try” category hovering on “definitely worth using” if/when additional studies are done to confirm/support some of my previous comments and questions above.

See you in the gym….

Citations:

(1) Jozsi A.C. et al. The Influence of starch structure on Glycogen Resynthesis and Subsequent Cycling Performance. Int. J. Sports. Med. 17: 373-378. 1996
(2) Goodpaster B.H. et al. The Effects of Pre-Exercise Starch Ingestion on Endurance Performance. Int. J. Sports Med. 17: 366-372. 1996.
(3) Author communication.
(4) Piehl K. et al. Muscle glycogen resynthesis rate in humans after supplementation of drinks containing carbohydrates with low and high molecular masses. Eur. J. Physiol. 81: 346-351. 2000
(5) Leiper J. B. Improved Gastric Emptying Rate in Humans of a Unique Glucose Polymer with Gel-forming Properties. Scan. J. Gastroenterol. 11: 1141-1149. 2000

Notes:

*= Anadrol, the brand name for a powerful oral anabolic steroid.

** = The GI of a carb is not the only factor responsible for the benefits of various post/pre workout carbs.

***= A “resistant starch” is resistant to digestive enzymes that break down starch into glucose for absorption. This study used a resistant starch that was 100% pure amylose.

**** = 60 min cycling at 75% VO2 max followed by 6X 1min sprints at 125% VO2 max with 1 minute rest between sprints.

***** = US Patent # 5,929,052

Setting The Record Straight on the Waxy Maize Craze.
As found on Muscular Development Magazine’s web page
By Will Brink 2009

Author Bio

Will Brink is an author, columnist and expert in the supplement, fitness, bodybuilding, and weight loss industry and has been extensively published. Will graduated from Harvard University with a concentration in the natural sciences.

His often ground breaking articles can be found in publications such as Lets Live, Muscle Media , MuscleMag International, The Life Extension Magazine, Muscle n Fitness, Exercise For Men Only, and numerous others.

He has been co author of several studies relating to sports nutrition and health found in peer reviewed academic journals, as well as having commentary published in JAMA. Will formerly trained high level Olympic athletes, bodybuilders and fitness and now runs seminars for (SWAT).

He is the author of Bodybuilding Revealed which teaches you how to gain solid muscle mass drug free and Fat Loss Revealed which reveals exactly how to get lean , ripped and healthy completely naturally.

Find out more at http://www.bodybuildingrevealed.com and at http://www.fatlossrevealed.com .

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By David Victor

Antioxidants are becoming the most talked about health and fitness trend in years. While we have always known that fruits, vegetables, and vitamins were good for us, we are just starting to realize how helpful antioxidants are to our bodies. Let’s discuss what an antioxidant is and then how you can best supplement your diet.

Inside your body, free radicals roam around and damage your cells. I won’t get into more details, but if you want to know more, head over to Wikipedia and you can get more information. Ok, so we have established that there are things called free radicals in your body and they are bad news. Now, let’s look at how we can fix that.

Antioxidants are the key to neutralizing these free radicals. It isn’t this simple, but for our purposes, let’s say that one antioxidant kills one free radical. Free radicals are pretty much a given so we have to keep putting more antioxidants into our body so we can keep neutralizing the free radicals and stop the damage they cause.

You may be wondering what kind of benefits to expect from increasing your antioxidant consumption as you neutralize more free radicals. Well, it is different for each person, but many people feel more energy and even lose weight. In theory, as the free radicals stop destroying cells, your body stays healthier and doesn’t age as fast. Yep, many people say they can actually slow the aging process. Sounds pretty good to me.

The last thing to discuss is where to get these extra antioxidants. You get them when you eat certain fruits like blueberries, pomegranates, and the ever popular acai berry. You can also get antioxidants from vegetables like broccoli. The thing you need to be concerned with is how many antioxidants are in the different fruits and vegetables and how you can add them to your diet. You have 2 options here, you can either eat the fruits and vegetables or you can buy a dietary supplement to get them. Many people opt for the supplement because it is easier and usually cheaper than buying a bunch of extra fresh fruits which can spoil in a matter of days.

I am not going to give you a complete listing of antioxidant values. I’m not even going to try to explain what the number mean (mainly because I don’t know myself), but it is pretty easy to see that 200 ORAC is more than 100 ORAC. More is better.

While I have not seen the actual scientific studies that produced these results, I have seen them in many different places so I think it is highly likely they are accurate.

Broccoli - 900 ORAC
Peach - 1,300 ORAC
Strawberry - 2,600 ORAC
Blueberry - 3,200 ORAC
Pomegranate - 10,500 ORAC
Acai Berry - 18,400 ORAC

That’s all I really have to share. The choice is up to you, but if I was making the decision, I would pick the food with the highest value. I would also get it in a supplement instead of eating it whole because it is way more efficient and cheaper. On top of that, I don’t really like fruits and vegetables very much and swallowing a supplement is easier than eating a bunch of fruits and vegetables.

If you want to try out acai berry supplements, click the link to see how you can get started with a free trial.

Before starting any diet or exercise program, check with your doctor to make sure you don’t have any health related issues that would prevent you from safely dieting or exercising.

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By Gordon P Hall

Yes, you can get fish oil for pregnant women. This oil helps women that are pregnant in so many ways. You can get protection for your unborn child by taking an Omega-3 /DHA fish oil supplement on a daily basis. Too many women are not getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids. Their child is at risk of being born prematurely.

Your baby needs the DHA found in Omega-3 fatty acids to help build his cerebral cortex and also to make sure his retina develops perfectly. By choosing to take an Omega-3 supplement on a regular basis you are ensuring your baby has a stronger immune system, and that he is at less of a risk of developing allergies.

Taking an Omega-3 fish oil for pregnant mothers also helps to prevent you from developing post natal depression. I have not mentioned other benefits that you get when you take these miracle oils. You are helping your heart, because Omega-3 helps to stop the platelets in blood from sticking together and forming clots. These clots clog up your arteries and are the main cause of heart attacks.

When you go to buy your fish oil please try and make sure the oil has been purified, they do this by a process called molecular distillation. Not all of the manufacturers purify their oil, so check out the labels on the bottles. If there is no information on the labels, try looking up their website. If a company does not have a website buy your oil from one that does.

You need to buy purified oil because the worlds oceans are in a sorry state. They are full of lead, mercury and PCBs and other toxins. There is one ocean that is cleaner than the rest. They call it the Southern Ocean, and it is off the coast of New Zealand. The water there is cold and it is perfect for plankton that is just overflowing with Omega-3 fatty acids. The fish eat them and pass the fatty acids on to us when we either eat them or use their oil.

Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of fish oil supplements. To discover which supplements Gordon recommends after far ranging and extensive research. Visit his website now at: http://www.elite-fish-oil-supplement.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gordon_P_Hall

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By Susan M. Taylor

If you are shopping for Zone fish oil or Dr Sears Omega RX, you may have read all or a portion of one of the books by Barry Sears. He recommends the supplement, because it provides omega3 fatty acids, essential nutrients that are largely missing from the modern diet.

Omega3s are long-chained fatty acids. Unlike other dietary fats, the omega3s are good for the heart and the brain. Before Dr. Sears and Dr. Robert Adkins published their diet plans, the “low-fat” diet was the most popular. The chant was “you can’t get fat if you don’t eat fat”. That’s actually not true.

Simple carbohydrates like sugar, white bread, processed flour and other foods that have a high “glycemic index” contribute more to fat storage than other foods. They also contribute to insulin resistance, which is a major factor in type II diabetes.

Very low fat diets can cause fatigue, contribute to depression and overeating. Very low carbohydrate diets do not provide essential antioxidants. So, the idea is and should have always been to maintain a balance.

Zone fish oil can help correct a common imbalance, which is a high ratio of omega6s to omega3s in the diet. Ideally, we would get as many omega6s as omega3s. It has been estimated that some American’s take in as much as 40 times more omega6s than omega3s.

Omega6s are converted within the body to inflammatory molecules, but when omega3s are present, they compete for conversion. The molecules the body produces from them are far less inflammatory. As most people are aware, inflammation causes pain, but it also contributes to cancer and heart disease.

Researchers have been recommending for years, now, that people can improve their short and long-term health by consuming more natural anti-inflammatories. One of the most potent natural anti-inflammatories is omega3 fish oil. But, is Zone fish oil the best value, in terms of omega3 content and price?

From what we currently know, the most important omega3 is called DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid. It contains 22 carbon bonds and can be readily converted to EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), which has 20 carbon bonds, if the body needs additional EPA.

Most of the supplements on the market contain more EPA than DHA, primarily because of the fish that are used as the source for the oils. Zone fish oil, for example, contains twice as much EPA as DHA. Each capsule contains 400mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA.

The body cannot convert EPA to DHA, unless another essential fatty acid called DPA (Docosapentaenoic acid) is present. Researchers believe that DPA contributes to the overall cardiovascular benefits of these oils. Like most brands, the Omega RX product label does not list the amount of DPA provided.

So, there is no way to know whether it is present or not.

Zone fish oil is one of the most expensive brands on the market.

While it seems to be a good brand, there are many less expensive ones that provide higher amounts of DHA per capsule and also list the DPA content. It pays to shop around.

I have found a pure pharmaceutical grade fish oil product that is naturally high in DHA and EPA and also high in anti-inflammatory properties that comes from the world’s most pristine oceans.

Whatever kind of product you buy, the best fish oil is always pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements. Your health depends on it, so why not buy the very best? That’s what I do.

See my website for more details of omega 3 fish oil products - the key to optimal health.

To learn more about choosing the best fish oil product on the market today and the one I personally use and recommend to keep your mind and body young and active visit my website: Omega 3 fish oil supplements

Susan M. Taylor is a passionate advocate of preventative health care. She likes sharing information on her research and educating the public about the numerous benefits of omega 3 fatty acids.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_M._Taylor

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By Susan M. Taylor

If you’re looking for pharmaceutical grade fish oil in the United States, there is no such thing. The US Pharmacopeia does not have specifications for purity or potency of the dietary supplement. There are some regulations in place, but the standards are so poor that they are really irrelevant.

Trade organizations, such as the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), have established manufacturing guidelines and maximum levels for contaminants. But, adherence to those guidelines is strictly voluntary.

There are allowable levels for PCBs and dioxins, even under the CRN guidelines. Supplements from member companies have been tested by independent laboratories in the past. Dioxins and PCBs were found to be present. Those chemicals are common water pollutants and known to be human carcinogens.

There is pharmaceutical fish oil in Europe. But, the European Pharmacopeia standards are less strict than the guidelines set by the CRN. The same is true for the Norwegian Medicinal Standard. Basically, we must rely on the manufacturers to provide a high quality product. A few of them do.

You can find out if a supplement has been tested by an independent laboratory. Manufacturers that go to the effort of having testing conducted usually publish the results on their websites. They want their customers to be able to buy with confidence. So, they offer every bit of information that is available.

There are still some oceans that are not polluted, such as the Southern Ocean, between Antarctica and New Zealand. Small species from the Southern Ocean contain no detectable level of contaminants, none at all.

There are purification processes, such as molecular distillation, that allow for the near complete removal of any kind of toxic contaminant. If you wanted pharmaceutical grade fish oil, you would want one that had been molecularly distilled.

But, if you wanted the highest degree of anti-inflammatory activity, you would want oils that were naturally free of contaminants. Recent evidence indicates that there is something in the natural triglyceride that increases the supplements anti-inflammatory activity.

Inflammation causes painful conditions like arthritis, but it also plays a role in heart disease and cancer. Researchers have suggested that increasing our intake of natural anti-inflammatories will help to reduce our risk of those diseases. Anti-inflammatory drugs are accompanied by many unwanted side effects and are damaging to the liver.

Many supplement companies use the term pharmaceutical fish oil as an advertising gimmick. They even try to make their packages look as though they belong behind the pharmacist’s counter in a drugstore. But, those are simply marketing ploys.

In order to get the best value for your money, read the label carefully. Find out how much DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is in each capsule. Figure out the total number of grams of DHA that are in each bottle. Then look at the cost per gram.

If the cost is more than a dollar per gram, then you aren’t getting the best value for your money.

At some point in the future, there may be higher standards for pharmaceutical grade fish oil. Right now, we must turn to the reputable manufacturers.

It may take a little shopping around, but they’re out there.

I have found a pure pharaceutical grade fish oil product made from Hoki, that is naturally high in DHA and EPA and also high in anti-inflammatory properties that comes from the world’s most pristine oceans.

Whatever kind of product you buy, the best fish oil is always pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements because your health depends on it, so why not buy the best? That’s what I do.

See my website for more details of omega 3 fish oil products - the key to optimal health.

To learn more about choosing the best fish oil product on the market today and the one I personally use and recommend to keep your mind and body young and active visit my website: Omega 3 fish oil supplements

Susan M. Taylor is a passionate advocate of preventative health care. She likes sharing information on her research and educating the public about the numerous benefits of omega 3 fatty acids.

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By Jason Kaczynski

If you’re relying on an omega 3 fish oil review to decide which supplement you’re going to go with, then you may want to read this article first. You’ll learn some valuable tips that’ll help assure you get a quality and safe fish oil supplement.

Now don’t get me wrong, you can get some good tips from an omega 3 fish oil review. But there are also some other tips you should know about that you probably won’t learn from a fish oil review.

For example, most people don’t realize that they should get a supplement that’s naturally high in DHA (especially) and EPA omega-3 fatty acids. Most supplements will contain more EPA than DHA, which is not ideal.

DHA is a physiologically-essential nutrient in the brain and retina that’s required in high concentrations for providing optimal metal performance (cognitive performance, memory, focus, learning ability, etc.) and visual acuity. In fact, the brain consists of about 30% DHA omega-3.

Many people who usually read a fish oil review are also not aware of the fact that they should never get a supplement that isn’t purified and molecularly distilled. As far as safety goes, this is the most important thing you can remember to do.

Since most of the world’s waters are polluted and contain contaminants like PCBs, dioxins, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, it’s important to make sure they are removed so you don’t ingest them on a regular basis. Here and there, it’s okay to ingest these contaminants, but when you’re taking a daily fish oil supplement, it’s smart to avoid consuming them.

Purification takes out the harmful contaminants that are easy to remove, and then molecular distillation is done to remove the more difficult ones. The end results is a fish oil supplement that is free of all traceable contaminants and safe to ingest on a daily basis.

There are some other things you should be aware of when looking for a fish oil supplement that you’ll never learn from a fish oil review You can get some more helpful tips and advice by visiting my website listed below.

Jason Kaczynski is a researcher and advocate of omega-3 fish oil supplements. After discovering all of the many health benefits that omega-3 fatty acids provide for human health, he writes to spread the word about them and give people helpful tips on how to find high-quality and affordable fish oil supplements. Visit his site to learn more about his findings at —> http://www.LiveTheOmega3Lifestyle.com

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By Jason Kaczynski

What’s an appropriate daily dosage for fish oil? This article discusses this question and provides some valuable tips for getting the best results taking a fish oil supplement.

Assuming that you are a reasonably healthy individual, it’s recommended that you take between 2.5 and 4 grams of fish oil a day. But of course, if you take any type of blood-thinning medication, have high blood pressure or clotting problems, or are on any other type of prescription medication, ask your doctor before taking this kind of supplement.

Unfortunately though, getting all the health-giving benefits of an omega-3 fish oil supplement isn’t as easy as just taking a 2.5 to 4 grams of supplement a day.

What you really need to do is check and see how much DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids there are in a supplement. This is what really counts and gives you the correct daily dosage for fish oil supplements.

Per capita, the average intake of omega-3 DHA and EPA combined is about 130-150 mg/day in North America. This is about 20% of the total amount, which is 650 mg/day, that medical experts recommend taking as a daily dosage for fish oil.

Most of the omega-3 fatty acids we consume are in the form of ALA, but it’s often difficult to convert this kind of omega-3 into DHA or EPA because carbon bonds have to be added. In fact, conversion rates from ALA to DHA have been estimated to be around 0-9%.

This is why it’s so important when determining the daily dosage for fish oil to make sure you know how much DHA and EPA omega-3 are in the supplement. If there’s no breakdown of the amount of DHA and EPA in a supplement, then don’t even bother getting it.

If you can, it’s better to get a supplement that requires only a few capsules to be taken a day. An ideal daily dosage for fish oil should not be more than 2 capsules a day. Some actually require you to take 5 or 6 a day just to get the recommended amount of DHA and EPA omega-3!

You can learn all about the brand of fish oil supplement I personally take and recommend to anyone that’s looking to get the recommended daily dosage for fish oil by taking just 2 capsules a day by visiting my website listed below. I’ve done the comparison and research, and no other brand came close as far as both price and quality was concerned.

Jason Kaczynski is a researcher and advocate of omega-3 fish oil supplements. After discovering all of the many health benefits that omega-3 fatty acids provide for human health, he writes to spread the word about them and give people helpful tips on how to find high-quality and affordable fish oil supplements. Visit his site to learn more about his findings at —> http://www.LiveTheOmega3Lifestyle.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Kaczynski

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By Jason Kaczynski

Do you want to make sure you get the best fish oil supplements? If so, here are 5 useful tips that’ll help make sure you do just this.

TIP #1. Know the type of fish that’s used to make the supplement.

Try and stay away from fish oil supplements that are made with oils from popular food fish like salmon, cod, sardines, etc. Since there’s such a high demand for these types already, much of what’s used in a supplement may be farm-raised, which means they are fed an artificial diet that’s much different from that of natural wild fish. I’ve found the hoki from the coast of New Zealand to be one of the best under fished species used in fish oil supplements.

TIP #2. Make sure the oils used are naturally high in DHA and EPA omega-3.

This is what really determines the daily dosage you should be taking. DHA and EPA are the most readily available types of omega-3 for humans. It’s recommended that the average healthy individual take at least 650 mg/day of DHA and EPA omega-3 (combined). With the best fish oil supplements, that’s probably about 2 capsules per day.

TIP #3. The best fish oil supplements are made by companies that have good reputations.

This doesn’t just mean that you’ve heard of them before either. Hearing of a company before just means that they advertise and market their brand a lot.

What I mean is make sure they are reputable. Check out their website or give them a call, see what kind of health philosophy they have, and make sure you can trust them. Unfortunately, most companies are just in the business to make money alone instead of really helping people in the process.

TIP #4. Only the best fish oil supplements are purified and molecularly distilled.

As a rule of thumb, never get a supplement that hasn’t been both purified an molecularly distilled. These two processes together assure that all of the traceable amounts of contaminants (like PCBs, dioxins and pesticides, arsenic, lead, and other heavy metals) are removed so you do not ingest them.

TIP #5. Look for a product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA) to assure that it’s safe and it’s claims are factual.

A COA should be given by a third-party quality assurance laboratory. It should tell you how much of each type of omega-3 (DHA, EPA, DPA, etc.) is in each capsule, the oxidation levels (the lower, the better), and whether or not traces of contaminants were found or not.

Only the best fish oil supplements will include a COA. In light of the fact that the supplement industry is not regulated like the prescription drug industry is, it’s really the only way to reasonably believe what a company says about their product.

I invite you to learn all about what I’ve found to be the best fish oil supplements through much research and comparison by visiting my website listed below. It was one of the very few that actually passed all of the guidelines I had for a fish oil supplement, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality supplement at an affordable price.

Jason Kaczynski is a researcher and advocate of omega-3 fish oil supplements. After discovering all of the many health benefits that omega-3 fatty acids provide for human health, he writes to spread the word about them and give people helpful tips on how to find high-quality and affordable fish oil supplements. Visit his site to learn more about his findings at —> http://www.LiveTheOmega3Lifestyle.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Kaczynski

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