Fish Oil Supplements

I actually just switched to the 'Nordic Naturals' and I don't burp up fishy aftertaste so far. I do take them with my dinner.

Something Fishy about Your Fish Oil Supplement
Posted by Dr. David L. Katz at 3/12/2010 11:09 AM CST

As a visitor to Prevention's website, you are probably more likely than the average American to be clued in to the importance of omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, you may also be more likely than average to be taking a fish oil supplement. And, I suspect, you are also more likely to have heard the recent disconcerting news that some leading fish oil supplements may have something very fishy going on, namely contamination with PCBs.

Disconcerting, but not truly shocking. After all, we all know that fish, alas, are subject to contamination by PCBs and mercury. And, since fish oil comes from fish, the threat of contaminants making their way into supplements was there all along.

What can you do about this, short of giving up the benefits of added omega-3 to your routine? I have four suggestions:

1) consider krill oil. Krill, the tiny shrimp-like crustacean favored by some whales, are at the bottom of the food chain. Consequently, they are more abundant, potentially more sustainable, and less subject to accumulating water-borne toxins than fish. They are a concentrated source of the same omega-3's found in fish, and are a source of antioxidants not provided by fish into the bargain. I have switched to krill oil myself, and am increasingly suggesting this to my patients. (My friend and fellow Prevention blogger Andy Weil shares some thoughts on the pros and cons of krill oil here.)

2) choose a reliable brand. Not all fish oil is created equal. In my clinic, we routinely recommend the Nordic Naturals, Vital Nutrients, and Pure Encapsulations, among others. Play it safe, and pick one of these.

3) an educated consumer is the best customer. If you are a habitual supplement taker, and want the best available information about brands that pass independent tests, visit www.consumerlab.com and consider a subscription.

4) consider plant sources of omega-3. The best are flaxseed oil, and a product called Neuromins, made from algae. These are probably a bit less potent than fish or kill oil, but they offer the same basic benefits, and are certainly better from an environmental perspective

Bottom line: you can have your omega-3's, and skip the PCBs, too!