Tuesday, December 15, 2009

An Objective Analysis Of Carlson Fish Oils

There is no denying the numerous health benefits that fish oil can provide us. The question really is which oil should one buy to get the most out of it? Carlson's fish oil is one option that you may have come across when looking for a good fish oil. Let's find out how good that oil is and should one select it over the other oils in the market.

Fist let us understand what makes fish oil so good for us and how can we evaluate any particular oil.

Fish oil contains a group of fats known as Omega 3 fats. The major ones amongst them are DHA (Docosahexanoic Acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid). These fats are responsible for most of the health benefits attributed to fish oil. So the amount of DHA and EPA in the oil is the number one thing you need to check.

Secondly, the cost factor is important too. This really isn't a fancy product with tons of ingredients that justify sky high prices. All that we are looking for is a DHA rich oil that has been properly refined. This shouldn't cost you an arm and a keg.

Now let's see how Carlson's fish oil fares on these parameters.

Carlson's fish oil is available in a number of different product lines. There is the Super Omega-3 product (we will focus on this product in this review), fish oil for kids, cod liver oil, and many other choices. While you may think that having so much segregation is good, fact is, so many different kinds of oil are just not needed.

One single oil containing enough DHA and EPA is good enough to be taken by children and adults both. There is nothing special to be done to make the oil suitable for children. These multiple products come out to be a little confusing for the end user and seem to suggest a marketing tactic only. There is no benefit to the consumer, really.

Now we come to the Omega 3 content of Carlson's fish oil. Each soft gel of Super Omega-3 contains 300 mg of EPA and 200 mg DHA. The EPA content is quite good - a little more than what is required, actually. However, the DHA content seems to be on the lower side. Ideally, the DHA level should be much more than the EPA in the oil. Not only is DHA more beneficial for us, but our body can internally convert DHA into EPA if required. Converting EPA to DHA is not possible. So logically, we should have more DHA in our oil than EPA.

There is a New Zealand company whose fish oil contains more than 280 mg DHA and a minimum of 120 mg EPA per gel. This ratio is much better than the Carlson's one.

The cost of one month's supply of this company's oil is $16.85. While Super Omega-3 costs $25.5. The oil seems to be over priced when we compare the Omega 3 levels of the oils.

Now that you are armed with this information, you can objectively evaluate Carlson's fish oil and compare it to other oils available. Find out the best deal and then rest easy and let Omega 3 work its magic on you.

Visit my website today to learn more about a fish oil supplement I've discovered that I'd like to share with you.

Michael Holman is a dedicated researcher and reviewer of fish oil supplements. He shares his research on his website - Omega3 Information. To discover the highest Omega 3 fish oil supplements our editors personally use and recommend, visit - http://www.omega3information.com

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Are Carlson Fish Oils Beneficial For Your Health?

The new product from Carlson in the fish oil category can bring about new changes for many of us. Carlson's fish oil in the liquid form or capsules can be a boon to people who do not eat fish. Our bodies need adequate amounts of fatty acids like Omega 3, DHA and EPA. However all these essential fatty acids are not found in adequate amounts in our daily diets. But they are present in fish and other marine sources.

A large part of American population has a dangerously inadequate amount of Omega-3, a fatty acid which is highly vital for good health. The problem is that this important fatty acid is rarely found in common foods but is found in high quantities in fish. Fish oil, as we all know is highly beneficial for sound health. Meanwhile, the usual intake of Omega-6, another fat found in foods like corn, soy, sunflower and other oils, is far too high. The ideal ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 should be 1:1, but the typical American ratio ranges from 15:1 to 45:1! This problem can be avoided by the intake of fish oil capsules which are readily available in most health food stores and online. Out of the many fish oil supplements on the market, Carlson's fish oil can definitely be a trusted product.

The medical fraternity around the world is encouraging people to eat fish to combat many health problems and heart related diseases. For those individuals who rarely eat fish, Carlson offers Carlson's fish oil in easy to swallow soft gelatin capsules. Carlson's fish oil in the form of soft gel capsules and liquid form contains the preferred source of Omega 3 which is extracted from the tissues of the fish, not the liver. This fish oil naturally contains the Omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-3 fatty acids are found in certain plants like flax seed, canola oil and walnuts, and in cold water, fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, cod, albacore tuna and salmon.

Carlson's fish oil has been tested using American international standards for influence and transparency and is found to be free of evident levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCB's and 28 other harmful chemicals. Each Carlson's fish oil capsule contains about 160 mg of EPA and 107 mg of DHA in a 1000 mg of fish oil capsule. In order to get sufficient doses of these fatty acids, one needs to intake high amounts of fish. But this may prove harmful because the high level of pesticides and chemical already present in the fish. Therefore, as a safety precaution, Carlson's fish oil capsules or liquid are recommended by doctors.

Nic Ricciuti is a successful freelance writer and website publisher of fishoil-info.com that offers tips on Fish Oil Fish Oil Benefits [http://fishoil-info.com/fish_oil_your_key_to_good_health.php] and other free fish oil information.

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How Carlson Fish Oils Can Benefit You

Maybe this was you; when you were growing up, did your parents give you cod liver oil in the morning with breakfast? They did that because even though it tasted awful, it helped keep your skin healthy, and gave you shiny hair and strong teeth, too. It also strengthened your immune system so that you were less likely to get any childhood illnesses. Today, parents are still giving their children supplements to keep them healthy and strong, but today's preferred supplement is Carlson fish oil, a healthy and natural product.

In fact, researchers have found that oils from deep sea fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in cardiovascular health, strengthen the nervous system, keep skin and hair healthy, and are one of the best supplements you can take if you're health-conscious. Carlson fish oil fits this bill, because it not only has the necessary omega-3 fatty acids, but it also includes DHA and EPA, which are essential to keeping you healthy and fit.

Carlson's oil, like coldwater fish, contains healthy amounts of the right omega-3 fatty acids and you'll not just get the proper nutritional potency, but you'll also make sure that it's going to stay fresh for a long time. It's also tested regularly by a laboratory working under stringent FDA regulations so that it's free of cadmium, lead, PCBs, and other contaminants that may be present in other types of fish oil. You can rest assured that Carlson make sure theirs is the purest product and has none of these contaminants.

Carlson fish oil also has an advantage over other products on the market because it is bottled in a thick glass container. Fish oil that has been bottled in a plastic bottle is sure to absorb some of the contaminants from the plastic over time.

Fish oil capsules are certainly easy to swallow, but cannot be adequately protected from oxygen and heat on their own. If they are properly sealed or packaged, their EPA and DHA content is also compromised. For best preservation and for highest quality, the liquid should be bottled in glass.

DHA has been shown to alleviate depression and help with other mental disorders and conditions. Researchers have already found, for example, that it may indeed reduce the risk of such disorders as anxiety and depression, schizophrenia, hyperactivity, bipolar disorder, and ADD. Thus far, some claims have been scientifically proven, and you can find these beneficial ingredients in Carlson fish oil.

Amanda is a keen health supplement researcher as well as being the mum of 2 small boys, so when it comes to health related matters she cares deeply about things being right.

Why not check out her health supplement blog for more information.

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Are There Better Alternatives Than Carlson Fish Oils?

Carlsons fish oil has been on the market for many years. The price is not bad, although to get more omega-3s, you have to pay more. The company makes a children's version, chewable tablets, gelatin capsules and the standard liquid formula.

So, they give you a lot to choose from. It just might not be the best brand on the market. Here's a look at the health benefits of increasing your omega-3 intake, as well as some suggestions for choosing the best brand. There are lots of different ones to choose from. Therefore, you don't have to settle for less than the best.

The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are found throughout the body. If you could look inside your brain, you would find an omega-3 called Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, to keep it simple. Inside the eye, nearly 60% of the fatty acids are DHAs.

The circulatory system runs all over the body. Within the blood vessels and arteries, omega-3s work to keep the blood flowing and prevent clotting. Taking Carlsons fish oil or another brand increases blood levels of the good type of cholesterol called HDL. HDL works to carry away the "bad" cholesterol particles, called LDL.

The joints of the hands, knees, back, feet, shoulders and neck are benefitted by the anti-inflammatory activity of omega-3 fatty acids. One study showed that there was benefit in pain relief for people with neck cancer, a particularly painful condition.

Animal research has shown that there are benefits for increasing sperm count and motility. Researchers at fertility clinics in Europe have suggested that supplementation should be the first-line of treatment, especially because of the risks associated with other forms of fertility treatments.

Of course, none of these studies were conducted using Carlsons fish oil, specifically. Typically, researchers use purified oils with a high concentration of Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid. DHA supplementation may be most effective, because it is the longest of the long-chain fatty acids. The body can easily convert it into any of the shorter ones.

While there is some "up-conversion", there is very little. Taking a DHA supplement is the only way to increase circulating blood levels of the fatty acid. Low levels are associated with depression and other mental disorders. Supplementation has proven benefits for attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Carlson fish oil contains more EPA than DPA. Ideally, the reverse would be true. It takes a little more effort to find a supplement that contains a higher percentage of DHA than EPA, but it is well worth the time to look for one.

As far as the kind of supplement goes, the liquids are the least accurate. Measuring out two grams of oil, which is the recommended daily dosage, is difficult. The content of omega-3s in a spoonful can only be estimated.

If you have taken Carlsons fish oil before, you might be loyal to the brand. But if you're looking for something better, there are other brands to choose from. Hopefully, now that you are armed with this information, you will look further.

Lauren Casey is a consumer advocate and a dedicated researcher who has been on a quest to find the best nutritional supplements available. After extensive research, she has found an exceptional nutritional supplement that is now a part of the foundation of her own health program. Visit her website at http://www.omega-3-guides.com/ to discover what she personally recommends and why.

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Important Facts You Should Know About Taking Carlson's Fish Oils

Carlson's fish oil is one of the popular brands on the market. But, is it the best? The company has been around for a long time. They guarantee purity and potency. They provide an array of different supplements, including tablets, liquids and gel caps. So, what's missing?

If you visit the manufacturer's website, you will see that they provide a great deal of interesting information concerning the sources of omega-3 oils. What's missing in many cases, are the details concerning the kind or kinds of fish that are the source of their supplements.

Their standard "super omega" product is supposed to contain Norwegian Oils, but their facilities are located in the US, in Illinois. They guarantee that the oils are regularly tested and found to be free of mercury and other contaminants, but they don't provide proof. A guarantee is not much good, without proof. We certainly can't go to the expense of having every bottle tested, ourselves.

Other companies post a copy of their latest results from batch testing. They provide links to the laboratories websites, so that you can be sure that independent testing was conducted. Something else is missing, too.

Carlson's does not indicate what standards for freshness they adhere to. They add flavorings to many of their products, which could be used to mask the taste or odor of rancid oils. Consuming rancid oils is bad for your health and is the cause of repeating or fishy tasting burps.

Like most brands on the market, the Carlson supplements provide more Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) than Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The reverse should be true. The company states in their marketing material that 10% of DHA is converted within the body to EPA. But, research indicates that DHA is the most important of the long-chained fatty acids. It is also the longest.

Low intake of DHA has been associated with learning disorders, attention deficit disorders, depressive conditions and bi-polar disorders. It comprises approximately 40% of the brain's mass and that most be replenished on a regular basis. When they say that fish is brain food, it is because of the DHA content. If it must, the body will convert some other omega-3s to DHA, but the process is very inefficient.

Assuming that 10% of the DHA in Carlson Super Omega-3 is converted to EPA, the supplement provides only 180mg of DHA to the brain. That's per 1000mg of oils. There are brands on the market that provide a minimum of 280mg of DHA, as well as a substantial amount of EPA and another important fatty acid called DPA or Docosapentaenoic acid.

If there is any DPA in the Carlson brand, it is not listed on their label. We don't know a lot about DPA, but research is ongoing. It is believed that DPA contributes to overall good cardiovascular health that has been seen in native Inuit populations, because seal oil is rich in DPA.

So, Carlson's fish oil might not be your best choice. There are lots of other brands to choose from, today. Maybe you should do a little shopping around.

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