Fish oil is derived from the tissue of fatty fish. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to health and sold as supplements, available either in capsules or liquid form. The fish oil industry is a big business, with many manufacturers. Fish oil is not regulated by the government, and sometimes finding a quality fish oil supplement can be difficult. But, there are ways to determine the quality of the product.
Step 1
Inquire about production procedures from the manufacturer. Where the fish oil comes from, purification process, omega-3 content, packaging and distribution are all questions that can provide information on the quality of the product. Fish oil manufacturers have strict standards to follow when it comes to manufacturing fish oils, so ask about these procedures. Contact information is usually found on the packaging of the product; phone numbers, email addresses and the physical address of the company.
Step 2
Search for pharmaceutical-grade supplements. Fish oil supplements have a certain standard to follow when it comes to the manufacturing process and these need to be met for them to be considered pharmaceutical grade. Supplements that are not of this class are more likely to contain impurities and may contain trace amounts of metals such as mercury. Fish oil is not regulated by the government but pharmaceutical grade supplements provide a higher standard of fish oils.
Step 3
Look for fish oils that come from a specific species of fish. Seeking fish oil supplements from a specific fish, such as salmon or tuna is a sure way of knowing where the oil is coming from. Brands that just say "fish oil" may be a mix of different oils and probably have some impurities due to the fact that the oil is not species-specific.
Step 4
Look for supplements that clearly show expiration dates on their packaging. This lets the buyer know how fresh the product is and how long it can be used. Also look for guarantees or certificate brandings on the packaging. These show the product has been tested and passed necessary requirements for quality supplements. It also shows the company stands by the product and is less likely to have something to hide.
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