How to choose fish oil?

Three points for choosing fish oil

Pay attention to the purity of omega-3, the form of omega-3 fatty acids, and whether the product is certified when choosing fish oil.

Purity of fish oil

A fish oil capsule will be labeled 1000mg or 2000mg, but this does not mean that all of them are omega-3. It is recommended to check the ingredient list to accurately understand the content of EPA and DHA in each fish oil capsule of the brand and know how many capsules are appropriate to eat daily. Normally, unprocessed fish oil contains approximately 18% EPA and 12% DHA. The total content of EPA and DHA in the processed and purified fish oil can reach up to 90% (the content of heavy metal pollutants after purification is also greatly reduced).

Omega-3 formation

The omega-3 in natural, unprocessed fish oil is generally in the form of triglycerides and free fatty acids. Processed and purified fish oils are generally in the form of ethyl esters or re-esterified triglycerides. Which form of absorption rate is better has not been finalized. The price of fish oil in the form of triglycerides after processing and purification is slightly higher, but the concentration after purification is also higher and cost-effective.

Certification

Please pay attention to whether the following certification marks are on the package before buying: NSF, USP or IFOS. The first two are more common in the health product market in the United States, and the latter is a third-party testing agency in Canada. These certifications provide quality and safety assurance.

What needs to be reminded is that fish oil is very easy to oxidize and deteriorate, so it should be stored properly. It is recommended to take it with a meal to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort and also help the absorption of fish oil.

Fish oil is only a kind of dietary supplement, which can be used as a supplement to the daily diet. It cannot replace the daily diet. The most important thing is to build an overall healthy and balanced diet for yourself.