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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 16 to 40 of 40. Go back in thread:
Posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 3:23:48
In reply to Re: Fish oil » Tepiaca, posted by IsoM on January 3, 2003, at 1:57:50
Hi Tepiaca (and IsoM),
IsoM is right, and I didn't mean to scare you -- the amount of Vitamin A you're getting isn't going to poison you, but you'd probably be best using a supplement that contains less if possible.
And (a personal opinion here) -- cod (at least the Atlantic species) are arguably on the verge of extinction, so I avoid use of products made from them. Also, if you're concerned about mercury etc., cod is pretty high on the food chain, which means that it accumulates toxins like heavy metals, PCBs etc. to a greater extent than fishes that eat plankton etc. directly. So I'd switch to an oil made from something like herring (arenque in Spanish, I think) or sardines (not sure of the Spanish word) if you have the choice.
Again, it's great to hear that fish oil is helping!
Posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:04:19
In reply to My fish oil doseage (to BL), posted by Arthurgibson on January 2, 2003, at 17:39:09
Posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:08:52
In reply to THERE IS NO MERCURY IN FISH OIL! (nm) » Arthurgibson, posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:04:19
I have spoken with a number of doctors and phrams on the subject, and they have all insisted there isn't mercury in fish oil--that these presses are pure and filtered.
beardy
Posted by linkadge on January 3, 2003, at 9:10:18
In reply to RE ABOVE: RIGHT?, posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:08:52
The fish oil industry is fairly large and
in most sectors, well regulated. All
respectable products screen for these
chemicals. You can legally (I believe) inquire
about a certain companies product content
(in terms of potentially toxic compounds)
The harmful chemcials are removed.Linkadge
Posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 11:09:05
In reply to true no murcury, posted by linkadge on January 3, 2003, at 9:10:18
Mercury doesn't seem to be a problem in fish oil supplements marketed in the U.S. The main reason I pursued the issue at all was that I'm not sure of the level of quality control in other countries. They could be just fine (I haven't investigated this very thoroughly), but if it's a concern, you're probably better off consuming products from fish that are "low" on the food chain.
I did come across the following information on Medscape (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408125)
Letter
Mercury and Fish Oil Supplements
April 13, 2001
from Medscape General Medicine [TM]James L. Schaller, MD
Purity in nutrients and herbal products is increasingly a concern, particularly in the United States because there is no regulatory supervision of these products to assure purity or quality control. For example, the Food and Drug Administration does not certify purity of nutrients and herbals products. Some popular nutrition products contain essential omega fatty acids, often derived from fish. I tested popular fish oil supplements to see if they had traces of the toxic heavy metal, mercury.The testing was done using internal capsule contents to prevent outside contamination. The forensic analysis used special cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy and was carried out by National Medical Services of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
The analysis showed that all the samples had no detectable total mercury. (The analysis could detect as little as 0.1 micrograms of total mercury per gram).
The following oils were tested:
* Twinlab Emulsified Super Max EPA
* Twinlab EPA New & Improved
* Twinlab Omege-3 Concentrate
* Nature's Way Max EPA Fish Oil
* Amni Omega-3 Marine Fish Oil
* Nordic Naturals DHA Junior
* Atkins Diet Essential Oils
* Health From The Sun Ultra DHA 50
* Kyolic-EPA (Aged Garlic & Fish Oil)Other non-fish oils were tested to confirm the quality of the testing and to check for random contamination in product processing. They also were all without detectable mercury. They were:
* Natrol Flax Borage Omega-3
* Health From The Sun Organic Flax Oil
* Nature's Herbs Borage-Power Oil
* Nature's Way Organic Flax OilIn conclusion, it appears that the independent testing and/or the quality control measures claimed by these companies are being done as far as potential mercury contamination is concerned. At the least, the amount of mercury in the fish used is so minimal as to be below the detectable limit by the method used. In any event, the common brands tested appear to offer no mercury risk. While this is positive health news, it cannot be assumed that every brand is free of mercury.
Disclaimer
Disclosure: Dr. Schaller is a stockholder in Vitacost.com who helped support this study.
Dr. Schaller is with the Chester County Research Center, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.
Medscape General Medicine 3(2), 2001. (c) 2001 Medscape Portals, Inc
Posted by Arthurgibson on January 3, 2003, at 14:15:45
In reply to THERE IS NO MERCURY IN FISH OIL! (nm) » Arthurgibson, posted by BeardedLady on January 3, 2003, at 7:04:19
I don't know, I don't care.
I am still trying to work out why I sometimes appear as ArthurGibson and sometimes as Arthurgibson.
Is this a lasting result of taking PROZAC?
I am sure that you are not "bearded." Can't you log in as something more feminine? I am sure that you must look great.
My name is not Arthur Gibson, but at least its a good name.
(That's not a "put you down" by the way, its a compliment, so don't ban me for a week.)
Posted by Noa on January 3, 2003, at 14:23:43
In reply to Mercury issues, posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 11:09:05
Thanks for that reference.
Posted by McPac on January 3, 2003, at 14:47:41
In reply to Mercury issues, posted by viridis on January 3, 2003, at 11:09:05
Fish oils thin the blood and I am always freezing now that I'm taking fish oil...anybody else had this effect?
Posted by beardedLADY on January 3, 2003, at 16:00:33
In reply to OK so there is no mercury in fish oil BL..., posted by Arthurgibson on January 3, 2003, at 14:15:45
> I don't know, I don't care.
That's not nice--or fair, since you're the one who brought it up!
> I am still trying to work out why I sometimes appear as ArthurGibson and sometimes as Arthurgibson.It's pretty easy to figure out. Look at the place where you type your name when you post (it appears automatically). Change it to whichever you prefer. It will usually stay that way. (Note I changed mine to emphasize my feminine qualities.)
> Is this a lasting result of taking PROZAC?
The results can only last if you're still on Prozac, and I'm guessing you're not.
> I am sure that you are not "bearded."How can you be sure?
>Can't you log in as something more feminine?
What could be more feminine?
>I am sure that you must look great.
Again, how can you be sure?
> My name is not Arthur Gibson, but at least its a good name.
By whose standards? My hairdresser is from Turkey and has a name no one can pronounce. She thinks it's a good name.
> (That's not a "put you down" by the way, its a compliment, so don't ban me for a week.)
I can't ban. And even if I could, I wouldn't.
Are you married? Does your wife cook your dinner and iron your clothes? Does she work outside the home? I'm just wondering--not implying or insinuating or anything else.
beardy : )>
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 3, 2003, at 22:23:53
In reply to OK so there is no mercury in fish oil BL..., posted by Arthurgibson on January 3, 2003, at 14:15:45
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 4, 2003, at 9:13:06
In reply to Re: Fish oil--for Larry Hoover and » ArthurGibson, posted by BeardedLady on January 2, 2003, at 12:05:25
> I have been taking a Rite Aid fish oil that contains 360 mg of EPA and 240 mg. of DHA. I take two--one with breakfast and one with lunch.
>
> At first, I thought it was really improving my sleep. (In fact, I can take Sonata again, which I'd become immune to back in October and so had to begin using Ativan for sleep occasionally.)
>
> Now, I'm not sure. And I'm not sure my dose is high enough to be therapeutic.
>
> What do you think?
>
> beardyfish : )>Hey Beardy. Sorry for the tardy response....I was on the road for three days.
If you don't think you're getting a decent therapeutic response, by all means increase the dose. You can safely take five times or more what you're already taking. Just increase the dose gradually so your body can adapt.
About the mercury issue. There is no mercury in fish oil because mercury binds strongly to protein (which is why mercury is toxic in the first place). The chemical process which separates the fish oil from the fish flesh automatically leaves the mercury behind. There is no special treatment of the fish oil required. It happens automatically.
Lar
Posted by viridis on January 5, 2003, at 3:07:03
In reply to Re: Fish oil--for Larry Hoover and » BeardedLady, posted by Larry Hoover on January 4, 2003, at 9:13:06
Hi Larry,
I'm not a chemist or toxicologist, but my understanding was that although inorganic forms of mercury aren't very lipid soluble, some organic forms such as methylmercury (which I think is of greatest concern) are. Is it just that, once in an organism, the attraction to some of the amino acids in proteins is strong enough to keep the organic forms out of the fats as well?
I'm just curious, and I certainly don't want to turn this into the fear of fish oil forum. It seems quite clear that mercury in fish oil supplements isn't a big concern. I'm really asking a more general question about mercury in the environment because I'm interested in these problems.
Thanks in advance,
Viridis
Posted by Arthurgibson on January 5, 2003, at 5:34:03
In reply to Re: let's keep this thread on fish oil, thanks (nm) » Arthurgibson, posted by Dr. Bob on January 3, 2003, at 22:23:53
Sorry if I digressed from the thread somewhat, but "This is a message board for mutual support and education" as it states at the top and I was trying to give BL some "mutual support" by paying her a compliment and suggesting that one of the answers to her troubled state of mind (deaths and problems over the past few years etc) might be to emphasise her femininity and therefore boost her ego and sense of self worth. This was what was at the back of my mind when I wrote that post and I am pleased that she responded by altering her loggin.
Its not so much "Fish Oil" that we are discussing as its possible beneficial effect on people's state of mind. Therefore my post was not entirely "Off topic".
Nevertheless having said all that, if the boss thinks that my contribution is not helping this particular thread, I would be more than happy to continue this "side thread" on the "Social babble" board, where BL and I and any others who are interested in this exchange, can offer each other mutual support and perhaps improve our situation beyond that which fish oil can offer.
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 5, 2003, at 10:45:32
In reply to Re: Fish oil--for Larry Hoover and » Larry Hoover, posted by viridis on January 5, 2003, at 3:07:03
> Hi Larry,
>
> I'm not a chemist or toxicologist, but my understanding was that although inorganic forms of mercury aren't very lipid soluble, some organic forms such as methylmercury (which I think is of greatest concern) are. Is it just that, once in an organism, the attraction to some of the amino acids in proteins is strong enough to keep the organic forms out of the fats as well?In living organisms, the partitioning is a little different than in post-mortem ones being processed for by-products.
You're quite correct in asserting that mercury is lipid soluble. That permits mercury free access to any cell in the body, as it can diffuse across the lipid membrane. I assume that living organisms have some mercury in their adipose (fat storage) tissue, but that would probably be a transient phenomenon, reflecting trends in exposure over time. The mercury would just keep moving around, until it found substances which bind it chemically. Those substances tend to be proteins, which unfortunately include some very key enzymes/co-enzymes (all with sulphur-based active sites), e.g. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), super-oxide dismutase (SOD), and antioxidants like glutathione (actually a short peptide). Mercury will also bind (essentially permanently) to selenium, which affects another host of key enzyme systems which depend on selenium. One of the best ways to mitigate mercury exposure is to take selenium supplements (200-400 mcg (micrograms!) per day, maximum).
It would be hard to measure in absolute terms, but mercury exposure should definitely be considered to be one of the environmental stressors predisposing people to symptoms of depression, and quite likely also contributing to factors influencing chronic fatique and fibromyalgia.
> I'm just curious, and I certainly don't want to turn this into the fear of fish oil forum. It seems quite clear that mercury in fish oil supplements isn't a big concern. I'm really asking a more general question about mercury in the environment because I'm interested in these problems.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> ViridisThe chemical processing that permits the recovery of fish oil degrades the cell structure to such an extent that virtually all mercury present in the tissue will be "mopped up" by proteins in the "fish soup", something like a sponge for heavy metals. Fish oil contains no protein, and thus, no metals (to the limit of detection, which stands at something like 0.6 parts per billion).
You're welcome.
Lar
Posted by ayrity on January 5, 2003, at 20:38:26
In reply to Fish oil, posted by Tepiaca on January 1, 2003, at 20:27:58
Might seem like a stupid question, but I have no sense of smell (born that way). I've heard that taking fish oil can make you smell "fishy." I'd like to try fish oil but I'm concerned about smelling bad (I wouldn't know if I did!).
So, can someone tell me if you develop an odor from taking fish oil? Are some brands better than others in this regard?
Thanks!
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on January 7, 2003, at 17:14:00
In reply to Does it smell?, posted by ayrity on January 5, 2003, at 20:38:26
It has a fishy taste but the expensive ones like OmegabBrite and Eskimo-3 have much less than the cheap ones.It is unusual to smell of fish though unless you burp.Some take it just before going to sleep to minimise the problem.Your body will not smell of fish.
Posted by Noa on January 7, 2003, at 17:47:07
In reply to Re: Does it smell?, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on January 7, 2003, at 17:14:00
The pharmacist I consulted recommended one that has a lemony taste, but they were all out of it. I opted for now for a caplet, which has no real fish smell, but does have a very faint smell, not unlike what dry nori (seaweed) smells like.
And he did warn me about the burping. It hasn't bothered me yet--the fishy effect of the repeat is very mild.
Posted by ayrity on January 7, 2003, at 23:49:54
In reply to Re: Does it smell?, posted by Noa on January 7, 2003, at 17:47:07
Thanks for the replies, Ed and Noa.
I was starting to get afraid that people thought I wasn't being serious. I'll try to remember not to burp (and to take it at night)!I have no conception of what smells are like, so it's all a mystery to me (btw, I wouldn't know what seaweed smells like either, Noa!). I have to "rely on the kindness of strangers" to let me know of these things. When I was married (now separated) my wife was the "designated sniffer!"
Thanks again!
Posted by Noa on January 8, 2003, at 16:40:31
In reply to Thanks! , posted by ayrity on January 7, 2003, at 23:49:54
I'm the opposite, at least with certain types of smells.
I can smell mildew a mile away. It drives me nuts. My sister has the same ability. Our mother cannot smell it much at all. And she likes to "air dry" laundry, including towels. Only they don't always dry so quickly and once you've got mildew in a towel, it won't go away unless you wash it with bleach. So, last summer, my sis and I were both visiting and we were discussing this and laughing hysterically because we both have developed similar "coping" mechanisms. Then, we both got this idea in our heads at the same time--Mom was out of the house, Dad has no clue what we're talking about anyway and could care less, so we ran and got two sets of towels for ourselves and washed them in bleach while Mom was out. See, we were a bit afraid to hurt her feelings (we have raised it before and she just doesn't smell it, and she was a bit hurt those times).
Anyway, I digress and this is the med board afterall.....
Posted by Noa on January 8, 2003, at 16:41:25
In reply to Re: Does it smell?, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on January 7, 2003, at 17:14:00
Does anyone find the fish oil gives them gassiness?
Posted by Phil on January 10, 2003, at 21:59:19
In reply to Re: Does it smell?--another delicate question, posted by Noa on January 8, 2003, at 16:41:25
I took Omegabrite for a few months. Didn't notice gassiness. Omegabrite will not give you fish burps. I tried other fish oil by TwinLabs and if you burped, it wasn't very pleasant.
Omegabrite is not like many fish oils in that the cap is much smaller. I can swallow many pills at once but huge fish oil caps are a different story. http://www.omegabrite.com/
Posted by gabbix2 on January 12, 2003, at 14:56:03
In reply to Re: Does it smell?--another delicate question, posted by Phil on January 10, 2003, at 21:59:19
In a previous post it was mentioned that fish oil does not contain mercury because it is filtered.I did my own checking with representatives from three companies which produce it, (Omega brite was not one of the)
I chose an average drugstore brand (Jamieson) Mid-range (natural factors) and more "exclusive" Udo's oils.
All three said that they don't have the abiity to filter the oils, that they go by government standards on allowable contaminants and if the oil collected goes over that amount they simply dump it.
I'm not too bothered, hell I used to play with mercury when a thermometer broke..
"wow this stuff is cool the way it sticks together"Ah the good old days when kids were kids and got to play with mercury, didn't have to wear bike helmets and had cement under the teeter-totters
instead of that cushy wimpy rubber stuff..
Do you think thats what made us nuts? : )
Posted by Noa on January 12, 2003, at 22:10:31
In reply to Re Fish oil.. mercury, posted by gabbix2 on January 12, 2003, at 14:56:03
Hi. The brand I bought is "molecularly distilled" which supposedly filters out the heavy metals.
I often wonder about exposure to mercury before we knew how toxic it was. I figure that there might be more environmental toxins nowadays due to many more consumer products made of synthetic stuff, etc., so although we had stuff like mercury, maybe we didn't have as much exposure to other things then that we do now. I don't know, just a thought I had.
I think the worst danger we managed to live through is probably no seat belts.
Posted by gabbix2 on January 13, 2003, at 15:45:29
In reply to Re: Re Fish oil.. mercury, posted by Noa on January 12, 2003, at 22:10:31
Thanks, its nice to know it is available even if its not safe to assume its all filtered.
What brand is it?I forgot about the seatbelt thing.. its amazing we've survived at all : )
Posted by Noa on January 13, 2003, at 18:02:30
In reply to Re: Re Fish oil.. mercury » Noa, posted by gabbix2 on January 13, 2003, at 15:45:29
It is called Apothecary.
This is the end of the thread.
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