Fish oil supplements are thought to be healthy from a cardiovascular standpoint, but what about the presence of contaminants? Should you be concerned?
You're probably already aware of the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish and fish oil capsules. Omega 3 fatty acids are thought to reduce inflammation in the body which can play a role in the prevention of a variety of chronic diseases including heart disease and certain types of cancer. Because it can be difficult for some people to get the recommended two to three servings of fatty fish per week, some people turn to fish oil supplements to add omega 3's to their diet. Many vitamin manufacturers now sell these supplements in a convenient capsule form which are ideal for people who don't enjoy the taste of fish. Plus, some people are concerned about the risk of contamination of fish with toxins such as PCBs, dioxins, and mercury. This is a particular problem with larger fish found higher in the food chain such as tuna as well as some farm raised fish. What about the fish oil supplement safety? Should you be concerned about the presence of toxins in your daily fish oil capsule?
It may be reassuring to learn that fish oil supplements purchased from a reputable manufacturer are usually either free of contaminants or have extremely low quantities of toxins Mercury is a substance that tends to accumulate in the meat of the fish rather than in the oily portion which is the part extracted to make fish oil supplements .The process of converting the extracted fish oils into a ready to take supplement also removes most of the impurities of concern. For this reason, fish oil supplements are generally considered to be quite safe from a contamination standpoint. Indeed, several independent agencies have tested various brands for fish oil supplement safety and found the majority of them to be either low in toxins or toxin free.
If you're concerned about the safety of fish oil supplements due to the risk of contamination, you can purchase brands that are USP verified which have a guarantee of being low in unhealthy contaminants. There is also a prescription form of fish oil capsule available which is guaranteed not to have high levels of contaminants such as mercury, PCBs, and dioxins. Unfortunately, this form of fish oil capsule is quite a bit more expensive and must be purchased with a prescription from your doctor.
Are there other concerns about the safety of fish oil supplements? Fish oils do have an “anti-sticky” effect on blood platelets. In a theoretical sense, this could increase the risk of bleeding. In actual clinic practice, this doesn't appear to be a problem. If you take blood thinners or aspirin, it's best to check with your doctor before taking fish oil supplements.
Fish oil supplements can be a safe and convenient way to increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids and are ideal for people who can't appreciate the taste of fresh fish. With the wide availability of these supplements on the market, be sure to purchase from a reputable company so that you're getting the concentration of fish oils advertised as well as to ensure fish oil supplement safety.
