High Potency Fish Oil

High potency fish oil has become a very popular option for consumers looking to live a healthier lifestyle. This is true, in large part, due to the fish oil nutrition found therein. Specifically, fish oil contains two essential fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid also known as "DHA", and eicosapentaenoic acid also known as "EPA") that are crucial to the growth and development of human beings.  

Each of those essential fatty acids are the key to providing the health benefits of fish oil. 

All species of fish, like humans, must obtain their omega 3's through their diets as they are unable to manufacture them in their bodies. As such, fish obtain omega-3 fatty acids by either eating the microalgae that produce them, or by consuming fish that eat the microalgae. 

To overcome the risk of consuming contaminants as a result of pollution, including heavy metals (such as mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic and cadmium), fat soluble chemicals (such as dioxins and PCB's), and other industrial contaminants, many consumers are limiting their intake of fish and are electing to purchase fish oil supplements. 

With that said, consumers need to the know the primary factor in determining what to look for in high potency fish oil supplements. 

You need to know the amount of DHA and EPA that the fish oil supplements contain. While the best fish oil supplement will contain high levels of both DHA and EPA, DHA is the omega-3 fatty acid that the consumer should focus upon. Most fish oil supplements have a fish oil dose of 18 parts DHA per 12 parts of DHA. The most common fish oil capsule is 1000 mg. Accordingly, a fish oil 1000 mg 18/12 supplement means the consumer is getting 18% (or 180 mg of EPA) and 12% DHA (or 120 mg). However, the best fish oil supplement will have more DHA than EPA per fish oil dosage. One brand is Xtend Life Fish Oil and has an EPA/DHA ratio of 12/28, which essentially means that each of the fish oil pills contain approximately two and a half times as much DHA than standard fish oil products. 

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