In the quest for searching the best quality fish oil products most of us rely on known quality standards. Most popular one is IFOS, International Fish Oil Standard.
But have you ever given it a thought that what exactly is it? Who they are? How to they test? What are the parameters?
With the growing popularity of omega 3 more and more people are demanding these supplements and therefore more and more players are entering the market. With recent scientific studies reporting high contamination levels in sea water and hence in all marine by products it becomes all the more important that there should be one central agency that regulates the standards so that there is not room left for cheap or ineffective products.
IFOS is an international program that tests the omega 3 health supplements for various safety standards as mentioned by World Health Organization and Council for Responsible Nutrition so that these supplements are safe for human consumption.
This standard is different from ISO and Good Manufacturing Practices because both these standards concentrate more on the process where as International Fish Oil Standard focuses on the purity of end product. If a company follows an ISO 9001 process it means that the process to manufacture is well documented and followed every time. They do not deviate from the process but that does not guarantee best quality of the end product. It may be useful to a certain extent but it can no way tell you about the level of toxins present in the end product.
IFOS tests products on four parameters -
Concentration
This is a one to one comparison of level of DHA/EPA present in the product vs. as claimed on the label. If you examine the label of any fish oil you will see that presence of DHA is mentioned like 200mg per 1000mg. These tests make sure that manufacturer is not supplying misleading information to the customer. If the product is IFOS compliant then you can find the true levels mentioned in the product report.
Purity and Safety
This checks for the levels of harmful chemicals like Mercury, PCBs and Furans.According to CRN standards the level of Mercury and PCBs should be 90ppb and 100ppb (ppb = Parts Per Billion) respectively and as per WHO standard Furans should be 2ppt (Parts per Trillion). If you take a look at the safety report of the product you will come that if your product is actually following safety standards or not.
Stability
This tells about the oxidation levels of the fish oil gels. These are core chemistry related details; instead of getting into details let us just keep ourselves limited to understanding that the lower the oxidation the better it is for us.
Presence of Heavy Metals like Lead, Arsenic, Nickel etc.
All these are toxic chemicals that are very very harmful for human beings. If the level of these chemicals should be below the safety limit as suggested by WHO only then the fish oil is considered safe for human consumption.
Companies that produce omega 3 can enroll in this program and get their product tested for purity and freshness. The certificate from International Fish Oil Standard is a clear indication of credibility.
If you are looking for a healthy omega 3 supplement for your family then make sure that the products that you buy follow IFOS or a standard which is stricter than them. You can find all this information on the website of the company.
This is the easiest way to stay away from the cheap products and select the best and effective supplements that give long lasting results to you and your family. If you want to learn more about omega 3 supplements and there benefits; visit my <a target=”_blank” href=”http://omega3brief.com”>website</a> where I have listed them in detail.
Chuck Blake is an active researcher and consumer of fish oil products.Visit his website today to learn more about the powerful benefits of omega-3 fish oils. Article Source:
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Common Complaints with Colon Cleanse Products
Herbal colon cleansers have become a popular option these days not only for easing constipation but also as people realize the importance of digestive and colonic health. Many people are ready to try out herbal colon cleanse products based on their reputation for safety and efficacy. However, not all herbal colon cleansers are created equal– each product can have its side effects. Here’s a list of common side effects I have found from reviews by people who have used herbal colon cleanse products.
Fiber-Based Herbal Colon Cleanse Products
Many people who have used fiber-based colon cleansers complain of abdominal discomfort, bloating and gas. When taking a fiber-based colon cleanser, the amount of water intake must be just right. Too little water intake can result in constipation.
You may also experience these side effects in spite of drinking the prescribed water intake especially if the colon cleanse products contain ingredients such as cascara sagrada. According to Food and Drug Administration guidelines, cascara sagrada should not be used for more than 7 days. Watch out for herbal colon cleanse programs that contain this ingredient, especially if the duration of the cleanse is more than 7 days.
Constipation is another side effect especially with products that contain flaxseeds as the dietary fiber. Flaxseed is known to cause constipation especially if there is inadequate fluid intake.
Herbal Colon Cleanse Products
Long, unusual stool formations – this side effect is usually due to an ingredient inside the herbal colon cleanse—bentonite clay. Bentonite clay has the ability to absorb toxins but it also mixes with feces to form the unusual shapes depicted by many colon cleanser manufacturers on their websites. The explanation they give is that it is an accumulation of years and years of waste stuck inside your colon—be aware that these long strains of what they call years of accumulated waste is actually created by the bentonite clay.
There are other herbs you may want to stay away from such as black walnut hull, Pau d’arco, wormwood; even licorice can cause side effects in some people. Many of these herbs have not been well-researched or have serious side effects especially for people who already have preexisting-conditions.
Headaches, back aches, cramping and nausea or some of the other complaints associated with herbal colon cleansers.
Some herbal colon cleansers include instructions for dietary modifications such as fasting or eating only certain kinds of fruits or juices. This type of dieting may not be suitable for all, and can result in excessive weakness, and cramping.
Oxygen-Based Colon Cleanse Products
Oxygen-based colon cleansers usually contain magnesium oxides. These are known to cause rapid and thorough emptying of the bowels. This type of colon cleanser is usually used before surgery. The most common complaint associated with oxygen-based colon cleansing is watery stools that often cannot be controlled. Many have commented on embarrassing situations even while remaining close to a restroom. Side effects also include cramping, diarrhea, rash or hives, itching, dizziness or lightheadedness, mood or mental changes, unusual tiredness, weakness, nausea, vomiting.
Choosing a Colon Cleanse Product with the Least Side Effects
When choosing a product make sure you go through the formula and review the ingredients. It would be advisable to search forums for comments by people who have used the product you intend to purchase. Keep an eye out for colon cleanse products that are formulated by a medical doctor and use scientifically supported ingredients, as they could have lesser side effects. The combination of ingredients allays side effects and gives you a more comfortable colon cleanse experience.
A doctor-formulated fiber-based, , like BeneCleanse, uses a three-stage approach. It helps to cleanse the colon, detoxify the system, replenish a healthy microflora, and prime the digestive system. It also includes scientifically-based ongoing nutritional support for maintaining colonic and digestive health through daily intake of MultiFibe capsules. Such colon cleanse products are a great way to promote natural regularity and may help strengthen overall health and boost the immune system.
NaturalDetox is a manufacturer of supplements that are carefully formulated by a physician. This herbal colon cleanser provides a 3-step approach for , promoting and nutritionally maintaining a healthy colon.
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