Fish oil, harvested either from ocean fish or farm-raised fish, is taken for various health supplementation purposes for its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Because fish may build up toxic levels of mercury in their flesh over the course of their lifetime, some concern exists that the toxins may also be present in oil supplements. Several fish oil products, as listed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, rigorously test and filter their products to ensure they aren't contaminated with mercury.
Carlson Super Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 MG
The Illinois-based J.R. Carlson Laboratories manufactures its fish oil capsules from mackerel, sardines and several other unspecified cold-water fish. It then enriches it with EPA and DHA. The product adheres to AOAC International purity standards and was tested by an FDA-registered laboratory for mercury, of which no detectable amounts were found.
NSI 42 Mega EFA Omega 3 EPA and DHA
Nutraceutical Science Institute uses anchovy and sardines for its fish oil products and processes it from the fish body and not fish liver. The fish oil is sent through a molecular distillation process to remove any potential contaminants, including mercury. The fish oil product adheres to the Council for Responsible Nutrition's manufacturing standards for ocean fish products.
Kirkland Signature Enteric Coated Fish Oil Concentrate
Kirkland's fish oil products are sold through the Costco Wholesale Corporation chain of members-only warehouses. The oil is derived from unspecified deep ocean fish species, not farm-cultured animals. Kirkland runs the oil through a molecular distillation process to filter out any mercury that may be present. The oil is also enhanced with various preservatives and chemicals like d-alpha tocopherol.
Natural Factors RxOmega-3 Factors Fish & Flax Oil
Natural Factors Nutritional Products Inc., a Canadian supplements company, creates its fish oil pills from sardine, anchovy and mackerel fish combined with organic flaxseed oil. The company removes all heavy metals, including mercury, during the production process.
GNC Fish Body Oils
General Nutrition Companies sells its fish oil pills through its private line of health food stores. The oil is pressed from fish bodies rather than fish livers, though GNC doesn't specify a specific fish species. The oil is filtered and tested by an FDA-registered laboratory to comply with AOAC International standards and is free of any detectable amounts of heavy metals like lead and mercury.
Nature's Answer Liquid Omega 3
New York's Nature's Answer combines both herbal and fish oils, listing sardines and anchovies as its fish sources, plus a blend of orange and rosemary oils for flavoring. Unlike most fish oil supplements, it's designed to be drunk rather than swallowed as a pill. The fish oil is tested by WHO-registered laboratories and hosts no detectable levels of toxins like cadmium and mercury.
References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: NSI 42 Mega EFA Omega 3 EPA and DHA
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Carlson Super Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 MG
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Kirkland Signature Enteric Coated Fish Oil Concentrate
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Natural Factors RxOmega-3 Factors Fish & Flax Oil
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: GNC Fish Body Oils
Member Comments