Omega-3 Oil: What You NEED to Know

While most people are aware of its anti-inflammatory properties, most are unaware of just how important omega-3s is for your nervous system. Omega-3 is to your nervous system what breastmilk is to a newborn. But with all the different brands available, how do we know which one to pick? Aren't they all pretty much the same?

Let’s say that we had two different brands of fish oil sitting side-by-side. Each bottle had 1,000 mg capsules. Are the capsules the same? The answer is NO.

Think of Omega-3 supplements like diamonds for a moment. Two different women can each be sporting a 1 carat diamond ring, and yet – the cost of those two rings can vary by thousands of dollars. Why? Because of characteristics like cut, clarity, and color. The same can be said for Omega-3. With regard to omega-3, there are HUGE differences with regard to source, quality, and quantity. The BEST sources are cold water fish such as salmon, cod, and herring. For most of us availability and cost are issues, and that is where high quality, high bioavailability, and highly digestible omega-3 supplementation comes into play.

With regard to quality, it comes down to the extraction process of the oil from its source and the elimination of any heavy metals, dioxins, furans, and other junk. We want all this removed while also preserving the quality of the oil.

When it comes to the right amount, this is what you must know. An average adult should be taking at least 1,000 mg of EPA per day. NOT just 1,000 mg of "fish oil." Specifically, EPA. EPA (eicosopentaenoic acid) is the heart and soul of fish oil. It, along with DHA (which is more important for kids and nursing moms) are what counts when it comes to omega-3 oil. Two different 1,000 capsules may contain VERY different levels of EPA (ranging anywhere from 70 mg to 750 mg). All oils…are not created equal.

The fish oils recommended by Happy Canyon Chiropractic may not the lowest priced oils you'll find, but we only recommend that which will WORK for your body.