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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kezia on January 1, 2008, at 12:14:54
Just wondering if those who are using fish oil have found any brand to be more effective or superior than others? What should I be looking for when buying fish oil (either in capsule or liquid form) to ensure highest potency and effectiveness?
Thanks so much!
Posted by bleauberry on January 1, 2008, at 17:43:00
In reply to Fish Oil - Any recommended brands, posted by kezia on January 1, 2008, at 12:14:54
Two top quality brands are: Carlsons; Nordic Naturals. I'm sure there are plenty of others.
One important thing is to be sure it specifies on the label that heavy metals, mercury, and PCPs have been eliminated.
People respond differently to EPA or DHA. For antidepression EPA seems to get the heads up. For overall health and cell-to-cell integrity DHA seems to be the one. Most people take fish oil as both together in the natural ratios. But some studies and some people prefer the brands that are very high in EPA and very low in DHA. Clincal studies have contradictory results which makes it even more confusing. Some did well with pure DHA. Some did well with pure EPA. Some were just fish oil as it is. Some showed little improvement, some showed a lot. Some showed improvement at the 1000mg-2000mg range and worsening at higher doses, while others showed good results at 9000mg. Go figure. As with anything else, there will be a personal individualized way you respond to fish oil.
If nothing else, it is healthy, fairly inexpensive, and has potential as an antidepressnt and mood stabilizer, in addition to other health benefits.
Other good oils to take, either alone or with fish oil, are flaxseed oil, boarge oil, and safflower oil. If you are deficient or out of balance in any good oil, those will cover all the bases.
Posted by kezia on January 2, 2008, at 21:29:53
In reply to Re: Fish Oil - Any recommended brands, posted by bleauberry on January 1, 2008, at 17:43:00
Thanks so much, blueberry, for taking the time to respond and for your advice and insights. I am going to try the Carlson's fish oil, I think. I have read positive things about Carlson's, so it seems to be the way to go. And, you are right, even if it doesn't help my mood and energy, there are other positive health benefits, so it won't be a waste of time or money.
Posted by H2Obuffalo on January 2, 2008, at 22:53:47
In reply to Fish Oil - Any recommended brands, posted by kezia on January 1, 2008, at 12:14:54
Hi Kezia-
I've taken "Carlson Super Omega 3" brand fish oil for several years and have been pleased with it. For the first year or so I took three of the soft gels per day and that worked well then. I felt decreased irritability and pleasant, "stickier" sleep, by which I mean I was less prone to wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep. I just had this general feeling that my "brain was better lubricated". With a lower dose, my head actually felt like an underlubricated engine- gears grinding when they shouldn't.
Then after about a year on three softgels a day I started feeling increasingly spacey/detached after taking my fish oil and I found that reducing to one softgel per day got rid of the spaciness/detachment while preserving the original benefits. Now I've been on one softgel a day for a couple years. I like to take it with lunch. It doesn't sit well with my morning oatmeal and ironically it's too stimulating for me if I take it in the evening, even though it improves my sleep when taken earlier in the day.
I have some sort of neurological/endocrine damage from being vegan for a period in the past.
Hope that helps.
-H2Obuffalo
Posted by kezia on January 3, 2008, at 13:50:55
In reply to Re: Fish Oil - Any recommended brands, posted by H2Obuffalo on January 2, 2008, at 22:53:47
It helps very much. Thanks for sharing your experience with me.
I am looking at either buying Carlson Norwegian MedOmega Fish Oil (From Norway, a highly concentrated, balanced professional strength fish oil. MedOmega supplies 1200 mg DHA and 1200 mg EPA per each delicious natural orange flavored teaspoonful.) or the Super Omega 3 that you have been using.
Take care
Kez
> Hi Kezia-
>
> I've taken "Carlson Super Omega 3" brand fish oil for several years and have been pleased with it. For the first year or so I took three of the soft gels per day and that worked well then. I felt decreased irritability and pleasant, "stickier" sleep, by which I mean I was less prone to wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep. I just had this general feeling that my "brain was better lubricated". With a lower dose, my head actually felt like an underlubricated engine- gears grinding when they shouldn't.
>
> Then after about a year on three softgels a day I started feeling increasingly spacey/detached after taking my fish oil and I found that reducing to one softgel per day got rid of the spaciness/detachment while preserving the original benefits. Now I've been on one softgel a day for a couple years. I like to take it with lunch. It doesn't sit well with my morning oatmeal and ironically it's too stimulating for me if I take it in the evening, even though it improves my sleep when taken earlier in the day.
>
> I have some sort of neurological/endocrine damage from being vegan for a period in the past.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
> -H2Obuffalo
Posted by saturn on January 3, 2008, at 19:47:30
In reply to Re: Fish Oil - Any recommended brands » H2Obuffalo, posted by kezia on January 3, 2008, at 13:50:55
I am still trying to figure fish oil out.
Bleauberry's assessment is excellent. It's critical that it is is free of PBA's and Mercury.
I currently take Morepa by Minami Nutrition. I honestly am unsure if it has a positive, negative or neutral effect on my anxiety, adhd and depression.
I continue it perhaps irrationally because I believe at least in it's cardiovascular benefits.
Peace...Saturn
Posted by JLx on January 6, 2008, at 20:55:35
In reply to Fish Oil - Any recommended brands, posted by kezia on January 1, 2008, at 12:14:54
I buy "Natural Factors, RxOmega-3 Factors Pharmaceutical Grade Omega 3 Oils, 240 Softgels" for $23 from Lucky Vitamin or iHerb which is less than 10 cents a piece for softgels that contain 400 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA, a higher amount, especially of EPA, per capsule than many other brands.
JL
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 9, 2008, at 0:31:30
In reply to Fish Oil - Any recommended brands, posted by kezia on January 1, 2008, at 12:14:54
For a long time I took Omegabrite. Had to stop after I got a stomach bug. Now every time I try to start it back up I get very bloated.
MB
Posted by kezia on January 12, 2008, at 19:57:06
In reply to Re: Fish Oil - Any recommended brands » kezia, posted by MidnightBlue on January 9, 2008, at 0:31:30
Thanks, MidnightBlue. I ended up buying some Carlsons and will try that to start. I will keep Omegabrite in mind should Carlsons not provide any benefit. Sorry you ended up having a negative, physical reaction to it. Perhaps another brand would work without the bloating?
> For a long time I took Omegabrite. Had to stop after I got a stomach bug. Now every time I try to start it back up I get very bloated.
>
> MB
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 22, 2008, at 0:23:23
In reply to Re: Fish Oil - Any recommended brands » MidnightBlue, posted by kezia on January 12, 2008, at 19:57:06
Actually I can't even eat very much salmon right now without having problems. I think it is a stomach problem more than it is a fish oil problem. Hope you have good luck with it.
MB
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