
fish oil supplements omega3
Because the body is unable to produce omega-3 fatty acids, we have to get them from the foods we eat or from fish oil supplements. They’re important nutrients which help in many areas of health such as eye function, Men’s health, weight loss, cognition, mood, and behaviour, and they help to prevent heart disease, cancer, inflammation, Parkinson’s disease, and ADHD.
Ultra Refined Fish Oil
When looking for a good ultra refine fish oil capsule, you have to remember that it should contain at least a 60% EPA/DHA concentration. (EPA and DHA are good fatty acids.) However, you don’t have to bring a calculator to the store and figure it all out yourself. Just check the IFOS symbol.
Introducing IFOS
IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards) was established because of the growing pollution concerns and the negative effects of mercury and PCBs on the marine food sources. The IFOS program, located in Guelph, Canada, is an independent, university-supported testing program which is a valuable aid in determining the health and safety of many fish oil supplements.
The IFOS Consumer Report makes it a relatively simple task to determine the true quality of any fish oil product. Below is an explanation of their 5 star ratings and the criteria needed for each level.
The 5-Star System Description
The 5-Star System Description is a means of rating the various fish oils available on the market. Each star is cumulative, meaning that a fish oil that scores four stars passes all the requirements for the first three stars as well. A Star is awarded for each of these five areas:
1 Star: All fish oils automatically get one star simply for being on the list, meaning that they’re not great but they have been tested and meet all CRN/WHO regulations.
2 Stars: These fish oils have passed the test of having the recommended 60% EPA/DHA concentration. Keep in mind that the higher the concentration, the less you need to take to get good results.
3 Stars: These oils have an oxidation level that is less than 75% of CRN standard. This means that the fish oil is fresh and unspoiled. It doesn’t take long for fish oils to go bad, and by making capsules and liquids, the manufacturing process increases this risk.
4 Stars: Fish oils that receive four stars have levels of PCBs that are less than 50% of CRN standard. PCBs are harmful, man-made pollutants that cause cancer and are very difficult to flush from your body.
5 Stars: Finally, fish oils with five stars have levels of Dioxin and Furan that are less than 50% of WHO standard. Dioxins and Furans are toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health problems from skin disorders to cancer.


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