Let’s face it. When you compare fish oil supplements, you should look at the total omega-3 content, the DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) content, the purity and the freshness, as well as the price. The cheapest ones are probably not your best bet, but there is no need to pay extra if you aren’t getting anything extra.
In most cases, the high-priced brands don’t provide anything extra. They cost more because they are heavily advertised or promoted by a celebrity spokesperson. Either way, the manufacturer is charging extra in order to cover their advertising costs.
Every company has to advertise, these days. But, billboards, full page magazine ads, television commercials and even radio spots cost a lot more than other types of advertising. Smart manufacturers know that they get more for their money if they stick primarily with internet advertising and the “nicer” companies pass that savings along to you, the customer.
So, if you recognize the brand name on a supplement as one that has been on diet books or if you recognize the name as one that has been promoted on talk shows, then consider buying another brand. If you compare fish oil supplements based solely on the quality (the amount of omega-3s, the DHA content, the purity and freshness), you will save money and still get the results that you expect.
Although the brands vary, the average one, these days, contains 1000mg of oils or a gram of fat per serving. At least 50% of that fat should be omega-3 fat. You’ll need to check the label or the manufacturer’s website to find out.
At least 28% of the fatty acids should be DHA. If you compare fish oil supplements from different manufacturers, you will see that most of them are high in Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. Some don’t list the individual amount of any of the fatty acids. The label simply says “contains DHA and EPA”.
The purity and freshness should be proven by a certificate of analysis from an independent laboratory. A number of different laboratories are certified to perform the analyses. Manufactures do not have the equipment to perform the testing at their facilities.
Of course, the manufacturers have to pay for testing and some of them don’t want to go to the extra expense. They would rather spend their dollars on ads. Testing doesn’t cost that much and the manufacturers don’t have to charge much extra to be able to afford the tests.
But, if you compare fish oil supplements that are very low in price, you will find that there is no certificate of analysis available. You can try contacting the manufacturer to find out what criteria they adhere to for purity and freshness, but that’s a frustrating and time-consuming thing to do.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health. Article Source: