It is well known how important fish oil is in the long term management of joint pain and arthritis, but did you realise there is extensive research demonstrating the benefits of EPA and DHA for a wide range of health conditions including: 

• Cardiovascular health: - High blood pressure. - Elevated triglycerides. - High cholesterol. - Coronary artery disease. 

• Brain development and cognitive functioning: - In pregnancy to support neural development in infants. - Children’s growth and development. - Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and age-related cognitive decline. - Mood disorders – depression, bipolar disorder.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are essential for human health. Every single cell in your body needs these good fats to work optimally. Fish oil is a plentiful source of omega-3 fats, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which have many therapeutic benefits in your body. You can also obtain omega-3 from a variety of dietary sources; however the majority of people may not be able to effectively convert these fats into EPA and DHA. Some factors that may reduce this conversion include: 

• Diets high in sugar, alcohol and processed foods. 

• Smoking. 

• Pollution. 

• Stress and ageing. 

• Viral infections and other illnesses. 

To enjoy the therapeutic benefits of EPA and DHA, it is more effective to supplement with fish oil directly. Research validates the many benefits of fish oil for enhancing health and wellbeing. 

Pure and Pristine 

The purity of the fish oil you choose to buy and take is extremely important. It is important to buy high quality fish oils that have been molecularly distilled; this process increases the purity of the fish oil. These fish oils undergo stringent quality testing to guarantee that purity exceeds Australian and international standards; with testing showing nondetectable levels of contaminants such as mercury, lead and cadmium. The oils should also be sourced from small pelagic fish and harvested using eco-friendly practices. 

While you are taking a high quality fish oil supplement, it is also beneficial to include foods high in good fats as a part of a balanced diet: 

• Oily deep-sea fish e.g. salmon, tuna. 

• Nuts and seeds especially walnuts and flaxseeds/linseeds. 

• Avocados. 

• Beans e.g. soybeans, navy beans and kidney beans.

The increasing awareness around the wide-ranging benefits of fish oil mean chances are either you or someone close to you is taking a fish oil product. Their therapeutic effects are widely accepted by both the lay and medical communities alike and they are readily available to purchase in health food stores, pharmacies and even supermarkets. Nevertheless, are you getting precisely what you bargained for in terms of both efficacy and purity when you purchase that mega-tub of fish oil from your local supermarket? 

A high quality fish oil supplement is the ideal source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. However, not all fish oils provide the same benefits. The active constituents in fish oil, known as EPA and DHA, are used in varying therapeutic amounts for different health concerns. For example, EPA assists in relieving the pain and inflammation of mild arthritis, helps maintain cardiovascular health and plays a role in mood regulation. DHA supports normal healthy brain development, improves memory and cognition, and is important for the health of your nervous system. A high quality, high strength fish oil may also help you maintain a normal ratio between the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ types of cholesterol as well as help maintain normal triglyceride levels. The label on your tub may claim each fish oil capsule contains ‘1000 mg of fish oil’ but ask the supplier how much of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are you actually getting? 

Ask yourself, ‘What else could be lurking in that budget brand fish oil that may be bad for my health?’ ‘Is there anything in there that could be harmful, such as toxins and impurities?’ Larger fish found higher up the aquatic food chain can harbour environmental pollutants such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and pesticides, which may accumulate in your body over time. The resultant toxicity may actually contribute to health complaints. The fish oils prescribed guarantee superior levels of purity and quality by using only small pelagic fish, such as sardines and anchovies, which do not accumulate the same levels of environmental toxins that the much larger fish tend to store over their lifespan. 

When fish oils are exposed to heat, air or light they can become oxidised or ‘turn rancid’. Oxidised fish oils not only smell and taste unpleasant, but also have reduced health benefits and may even be harmful in some cases. The fish oils recommended are manufactured using a process called ‘nitrogen flushing’, which protects the oils from oxidation. The finished product is then tested for the indicators of oxidation or ‘freshness’, again resulting in levels exceeding Australian manufacturing standards. By choosing a fish oil with the lowest indicators of oxidation your Practitioner is ensuring you gain the greatest health benefits from your fish oil.

THE RIGHT FISH OIL FOR YOU Whether you need help to relieve the pain of mild arthritis, are wanting to improve your memory and cognitive function, or would like to maintain normal cholesterol levels and a healthy cardiovascular system, a high quality fish oil supplement can help along with an unprocessed 'clean diet'.