Fish Oil

If you’ve been to one of my workshops, you know how much I like fish oil! In fact, when I go back to corporate sites for second and third visits, one thing I always hear is; “everyone was running out and buying fish oil after you left!”

I have no financial connection to fish oil or nutritional supplement companies. I’m in the nutritional education field, not nutritional sales. However, I’m passionate about informing the public about fish oil and healthy fats.

We were sold a bill of goods in the late 80’s, early 90’s regarding fat. We were told fat was bad and we must avoid all fat. This was a disastrous food marketing campaign. One of the biggest effects of taking fat out of the diet was an epidemic of obesity, high cholesterol, depression, and diabetes. Now, I’m NOT saying that the healthy fats in and of themselves will cure these things, but they play a very significant role!

Healthy fats are an essential part of our diet, along with adequate protein and appropriate carbohydrates. In fact, fats are so essential, we call them essential fatty acids!

There are two types of essential fatty acids: aka good fats. They are called Omega 6 and Omega 3 fats. These fats are critical for neurological, digestive, immune, hormonal, endocrine, cardiovascular and skin health.

Omega 6 fats=Vegetable oils such as; safflower oil. Leafy green vegetables. Nuts and seeds.

Omega 3 fats=Fish, especially salmon, halibut. Nuts and seeds, especially flax seeds.

Omega 9 fats= These are not considered essential, but they are very healthy and good for you, avocados and olive oil fall into this category.

In the 1950’s it was common to give kids teaspoons of cod liver oil (fish oil) every morning. Today we rarely hear about it, and lets face it; it is not very exciting to gulp down a spoonful of oil every day. But, I personally do and I encourage my audiences to do the same. Why? We simply don’t get enough Omega 3 fats in our diet. We tend to eat alot more Omega 6 fats in baked goods, chips, cooking oils etc. The ratio between Omega 3 and and Omega 6 is grossly imbalanced.

If you eat fish 3x a week you have a head start on most Americans for your Omega 3 consumption. However, an over consumption of fish that have PCB’s, heavy metals, and other contaminants can become another problem. Nonetheless, don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and don’t stop eating fish! Use this guide as a reference, then supplement regularly with a high quality, contaminant free, fish oil.

I like Nordic Naturals – Omega 3, 120 softgels, they can be found in most health food stores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also like Carlson Laboratories – Norwegian Cod Liver Oil – Lemon, 16.8 fl oz, they can be found in health food stores as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Nordic Naturals and Carlson’s are in the business of manufacturing high quality oils. This means they closely monitor their fish sources and have strict quality control. I trust and personally use both of these companies. You should never burp the taste of fish after taking the oil. If you do, the oil is rancid and not good quality; throw it out! Drug stores like Rite-Aid and Wal-Mart sell Omega 3 capsules, but I do not recommend buying from these sources because there is no testing or quality control.

If swallowing straight oil makes you gag, you can buy Omega 3 fish oils in soft gel capsules from both of the above companies. If you are a vegetarian you can supplement with flax seed oil for your Omega 3 source. I like Barlean’s Organic Oils – Flax Oil Organic, 16 fl oz,or grind the actual flax seeds in a coffee grinder and put them in cereal or yogurt. Keep your Omega 3 oils refrigerated. Use within three months of opening. Do not cook with these oils!

Remember a healthy balance of Omega 3 and 6 oil is crucial for good health! They are not a woo-woo food/supplement that was developed last weekend. Humans have been eating Omega 3 & 6 oils since the beginning of time. Fish oil is one of the best sources of Omega 3 fats.

Fish oil is the only Omega 3 fat that contains EPA and DHA, those are the fats that are responsible for brain development and optimal brain function throughout our lifespan. The mothers in the 1950’s who gave their kids teaspoons of cod liver oil should be commended!

I taught workshops in Knoxville, Tennessee a couple years ago and people there told me; “When we went to school in Tennessee 40 years ago, it was regulated that every public school lunch program had to include a capsule of fish oil every day for every kid.” Isn’t that amazing? EVERY SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM IN AMERICA SHOULD BE DOING THIS TODAY!

Instead food manufacturers have to fortify baby formula with EPA/DHA because mothers today don’t consume, let alone know about the importance of regularly eating Omega 3 fats when pregnant and nursing. Pity. This is one of the many reasons I’m so passionate about nutrition education!

Omega 3 fats don’t just feed the brain, they feed every cell and system in the body, including; heart, digestive tract, skin, hormones and good immune function. I’ll summarize those benefits in my next post of Why Omega 3 Fats, Especially Fish Oil, is Essential for Good Health.