Part 1 of this series established that most people need to dramatically increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids they take on a daily basis to offset inflammation caused both by diet and disease. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when consuming high dose fish oil.
Quality is the key
Fish oils are derived from fish, and fish contain toxins. In addition, the processing used by many manufacturers may further degrade or denature these fragile oils, dramatically reducing their benefits and potentially causing harm. Recent research has shown many of the most common fish oil products contain potentially harmful substances, so the consumer must do a little research to find a quality product. This is especially important with high dosing levels.
Balance with other oils
With long-term use, high dosing with omega-3 fatty acids can displace another beneficial fatty acid from cells called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Therefore, adding a source of GLA (i.e., black currant seed oil or borage seed oil) becomes important for inflammation balance over time.
Digestion
Digestion, and in particular gall bladder function, also needs to be considered, especially for those people who feel fish oils “repeat” on them. Nobody likes “fish burps” so find a product that is molecularly distilled to minimize the chances of this happening. In addition, those people that have a problem digesting fats or that have had their gallbladder removed may need additional supplemental support to help them properly digest fish oils; we have found the formula Lipo-Gen from Metagenics to be particularly effective in this regard.
It may take a little time, but finding the optimal dose of fish oil can lead to numerous improvements in both short- and long-term health. For those of you that are more scientifically included, blood testing is available to help determine your exact fatty acid balance and needs. If you need help or guidance in this regard, don’t hesitate to contact us.
