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What Kind of Fish Is Used to Make Fish Oil?

Homeopathic specialists praise fish oil, a popular health supplement, for its nutrient richness. Manufacturers use a variety of fish to make fish oil; it offers a number of health benefits.

  1. Types

    • Fish oil is generally made with cold-water fish, including tuna, mackerel, cod and salmon. Some manufacturers also use lake trout and flounder. The oil comes from the fatty tissues of the fish.

    Farmed Fish

    • Due to the widespread popularity of aquaculture, most fish oil is made using farm-raised fish. These fish are bred for oil production, and the close range of a farm makes the fish easier to maintain and use.

    How Fish Oil Is Made

    • Once raw fish enters a processing plant, it is cut into pieces, or "hashed," and steamed. The cooked fish is then pressed to separate fat-free solids from the oil and water. The fish solids are used to make fish meal, which is generally used in animal feed, while the liquid undergoes a pressing process to further separate the oil and water. Once separated, the oil undergoes "polishing," in which the impurities are removed using hot water. Finally, antioxidants are added to the oil before it is bottled and sent to grocery and health-food stores. Generally, in the U.S. you'll find fish oil as a daily supplement or pill, but other countries carry liquid forms.

    Global Popularity of Fish Oil

    • Due to the purported health benefits of fish oil, the popularity has increased over the last several years. Each year approximately 570,000 tons of fish oil are produced, primarily in Denmark, Chile, Iceland, Norway and Peru.

    Benefits of Fish Oil

    • Fish oil is high in two omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which improve brain function, eyesight and the nervous system. A 2002 study by the American Dietetic Association determined that omega-3 acids also reduce the amount of fatty deposits in the arteries, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Fish oil is also used to treat arthritis pain and seems to slow the development of cancerous growths on normal functioning cells. Fish oil may reduce the likelihood of breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer, and the risk of pregnancy complications. In addition, women who consume fish oil while pregnant may have a lower risk of developing post-partum depression.

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