Fish oil is a dietary supplement that provides omega-3 fatty acids, a substance that the human body cannot create. The omega-3 acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are essential to assisting brain function, promoting coronary health and reducing systemic inflammation. As a supplement, the FDA does not promote fish oil to cure any disease, however, fish oil specifications are guidelines set forth for the consumer's safety.
Pharmaceutical Quality
The term pharmaceutical quality, or grade, speaks to the concentration of the fish oil available over-the-counter. Over-the-counter fish oils can have as little as 300 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per capsule. The FDA encourages 3 g daily for cardiac health, meaning the consumer would need to take 10 of the cheaper 300 mg capsules daily to meet the suggested fish oil intake. Those fish oils considered pharmaceutical grade must contain at least 1 g of omega-3 fatty acids, according to Omega 3 Oils.
Heavy Metals
Just as with eating fish, consuming poorly crafted fish oil carries the risk of ingesting heavy metals. Heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium are found in some fish oils and can build up the organs of the body and lead to mental impairment and diseases. The International Fish Oil Standards, or IFOS, grades each fish oil product available based on content of these heavy metals, which should be less than 0.1 parts per million.
Toxins
Fish oil derived from fish living in heavily polluted waters, such as high traffic areas of the oceans, will carry the risk of toxins. Dioxin, a particularly hazardous man-made waste product, has been linked to cancer and genetic diseases and is found in some fish oils. According to the IFOS, dioxin contents in fish oil must be less than 2 parts per trillion to be accepted as a safe supplement. Similarly, PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, represent another type of industrial toxin found in lakes, rivers and land and are hiding in fish.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids and Health
- Omega 3 Oils: Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oils
- International Fish Oil Standards: Consumer Report
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA Announces Qualified Health Claims for Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Jonathan Campbell, Health Consultant: What is Dioxin?
- Ohio State University: Toxins in Fish--- How Should the Public Health Be Protected?
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