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Fish Oils & Pollution

Fish oils are popular diet supplements rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which have a number of potential health benefits, such as reduced risk of heart attack and strokes, lower blood pressure and better brain function. However, some are concerned about the effects of pollution on fish, and consequently the fish oil they produce. You will need to be extra discerning as a consumer to make sure you buy a safe fish oil supplement.

  1. Most Contaminates Eliminated

    • Pharmaceutical-grade fish oil generally isn't susceptible to contaminants such as heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyl, which may raise the risk of liver damage or cancer. The molecular distillation purification process manufacturers put fish oil through eliminates most impurities. All supplements must meet certain filtering standards in order to make it to market. However, commercial-grade fish oil -- the kind sold in supermarkets -- is not held to as a high a standard and may contain such contaminants.

    Look for a Certificate of Analysis

    • To find a fish oil supplement that meets toxin-free standards and doesn't contain PCBs, check the product's website. They will prominently feature a Certificate of Analysis for consumers to inspect. Brands that don't routinely test their products for toxins such as PCBs won't post these certificates, so it might be best to avoid them.

    PCB Effects

    • Studies have shown that exposure of highly chlorinated PCBs to rhesus monkeys damages their immune system and hampers the development of the nervous system over a long term. Humans with similar exposure histories have shown similar symptoms. At much higher levels, studies have shown that PCBs induce liver tumors in rodents.

    Fish Oil May Reverse Pollution's Effects

    • Ironically, pharmaceutical-grade fish oil can help pollution-caused heart problems, according to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. It showed that a daily fish oil supplement stopped the decline in heart rate in a group of elderly people in their 80s.

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