Fish Oil?

Patrick Johnston · 10-04-2004, 10:15 PM

I am in the process of reading the Omega Rx Zone and am convinced that there are some great benefits to supplementing with fish oil, though I was of that mind before starting the book and have a hard time believing that fish oil is as quite as beneficial as Dr. Sears claims. My question is the following; does anyone (Robb) have any information regarding the relative advantages of "pharmaceutical grade" fish oil over some of the other forms (e.g. Carlson's, Kirlands, etc.). I know that Dr. Sears claims that at high doses, one must take "pharmaceutical grade" to avoid some toxicity problems but I would like to hear some facts and/or less biased opinions. Dr. Sears does, after all, sell the stuff. I also was wondering about Carlson's and Kirkland's toxicity (mercury, etc.) levels. I am looking to be convinced that the extra money spent on the pharmaceutical grade fish oil is money well spent. Thanks in advance.

Larry Lindenman · 10-05-2004, 05:47 AM

Random samples of Costco and Sam's club fish oil revealed no contaminants. Carlson's is clean. I like the liquid, you get more without taking 15 pills. IMO you don't need to spend a fortune on fish oil, just get Carlson's and take two to three teaspoons a day.

Patrick Johnston · 10-05-2004, 07:49 AM

Larry:

Thanks for the reply. I'm curious (not doubting you), how do you know that Carlson's is clean? I would be interested in any data that is out there. Thanks again.

Larry Lindenman · 10-05-2004, 09:40 AM

I'll look for sources and get back to you.

Robert Wolf · 10-05-2004, 11:15 AM

Patrick,

Good questions! One issue is simply the long-chain fatty acids which cause GI irritation in many people. This is removed in the highly refined products. (Carlson BTW does not remove this, but because of the Vitamin A and D content one cannot take ultra high doses and therefore it tends not to be a problem.) Other issues include methyl-mercury contamination and PCB's which are removed in the micro-distillation process.

Carlson is an old and very reputable company founded by a PhD biochemist if I remember correctly and they have been the industry standard in lipid soluble vitamins such as A, E and D for many years. They are very good and I have personally interacted with many people in their QA/QC depts. I know this is more a personal testimony than hard facts...

One can contact any given company's quality control for the most recent information on their product. Usually this is a third party validation and so should be accurate.

IMO the Kirkland brand is as good as the Sears line and is a fraction of the price.

I think you are right about Sears hyping fish oil a bit, but this may be a relative thing. Folks around here already tend to eat an insulin controling diet, quality protein etc. If one is sick, and eating a very bad diet I think the relative effects of supplemental fish oil are greater. I think it is a good idea to add some to ones diet but it may not be as dramatic if you are already pretty healthy.

Sorry if this is rambling! I do not think the pharmaceutical grade is worth the extra money, I do think Kirkland and Carlson are good quality with Kirkland being the better price and more usable because it is free of Vit's A & D.

I need more coffee....
Robb

Brad Hirakawa · 10-05-2004, 11:46 AM

I have not read Sears' book, so this may seem like a silly question to most of you. But, given that my primary animal protein source is fish, do I need to worry about fish oil supplements? That is, a can of sardines indicates there is 14g of fat. Is this equivalent to 14 of the 1g pills? Or, are the fish oil supps. concentrated somehow?

Thanks!

Brad

Mike Minium · 10-05-2004, 12:11 PM

Brad,

The fish oil supplements are way more concentrated. Spears spells out the difference in potency between eating fish and taking fish oil supplements with a little chart in the OmegaRx Zone. I'll post it later this evening.

Also, on a more general note, Costco (at least the one in my area) is now selling a more concentrated fish oil cap. I can't remember the exact EPA/DHA doses per capsule, but I now only have to take 7 capsules a day to get a 3-gram dose of fish oil.

Mike

Robert Wolf · 10-05-2004, 12:14 PM

Brad-
You are likely doing well but the total fat content of a can of sardines is not all omega-3's. I think one obtains 1-2g. of EPA/DHA per can of sardines and 3-4g per can of mackerel (if you can gag the stuff down). Just make sure any salmon you eat is "wild" otherwise it has been grain fed.
Robb

Ron Nelson · 10-05-2004, 12:21 PM

Hey Mike,
My wife just came home with some on Sunday. I believe the EPA is around 180 and the DHA around 120 (but I'm guessing there). Is this the more concentrated type you referred to? If so, then way cool for me because it was about $10 cheaper than GNC's fish oil of the same concentration.
BTW, Henry's Marketplace sells Carlson's for about $37 a bottle (.75 litre?) that seemed a little expensive to me. Is that about the average price?
We're trying to get our daughter to take fish oil and flax oil to ease menstrual cramping and to aid in treating depression. It's supposed to inhance the effects of Prozac and maybe even eliminate the need over time.

10-05-2004, 01:20 PM

Ron, the fish and the flax may help, and they certainly have plenty of other benefits, but I believe it is GLA (an omega 6) that has the most buzz for menstrual cramps and PMS. It is in borage oil, evening primrose, and hemp, and in the Udo's Choice blend.

10-05-2004, 01:20 PM	#10
Brian Hand Profile: Posts: n/a	Ron, the fish and the flax may help, and they certainly have plenty of other benefits, but I believe it is GLA (an omega 6) that has the most buzz for menstrual cramps and PMS. It is in borage oil, evening primrose, and hemp, and in the Udo's Choice blend.
Brian Hand Profile: Posts: n/a

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10-04-2004, 10:15 PM	#1
Patrick Johnston Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Modesto Ca Posts: 358	I am in the process of reading the Omega Rx Zone and am convinced that there are some great benefits to supplementing with fish oil, though I was of that mind before starting the book and have a hard time believing that fish oil is as quite as beneficial as Dr. Sears claims. My question is the following; does anyone (Robb) have any information regarding the relative advantages of "pharmaceutical grade" fish oil over some of the other forms (e.g. Carlson's, Kirlands, etc.). I know that Dr. Sears claims that at high doses, one must take "pharmaceutical grade" to avoid some toxicity problems but I would like to hear some facts and/or less biased opinions. Dr. Sears does, after all, sell the stuff. I also was wondering about Carlson's and Kirkland's toxicity (mercury, etc.) levels. I am looking to be convinced that the extra money spent on the pharmaceutical grade fish oil is money well spent. Thanks in advance.

10-05-2004, 05:47 AM	#2
Larry Lindenman Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 2,769	Random samples of Costco and Sam's club fish oil revealed no contaminants. Carlson's is clean. I like the liquid, you get more without taking 15 pills. IMO you don't need to spend a fortune on fish oil, just get Carlson's and take two to three teaspoons a day.

10-05-2004, 07:49 AM	#3
Patrick Johnston Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Modesto Ca Posts: 358	Larry: Thanks for the reply. I'm curious (not doubting you), how do you know that Carlson's is clean? I would be interested in any data that is out there. Thanks again.

10-05-2004, 09:40 AM	#4
Larry Lindenman Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 2,769	I'll look for sources and get back to you.

10-05-2004, 11:15 AM	#5
Robert Wolf Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chico CA Posts: 2,670	Patrick, Good questions! One issue is simply the long-chain fatty acids which cause GI irritation in many people. This is removed in the highly refined products. (Carlson BTW does not remove this, but because of the Vitamin A and D content one cannot take ultra high doses and therefore it tends not to be a problem.) Other issues include methyl-mercury contamination and PCB's which are removed in the micro-distillation process. Carlson is an old and very reputable company founded by a PhD biochemist if I remember correctly and they have been the industry standard in lipid soluble vitamins such as A, E and D for many years. They are very good and I have personally interacted with many people in their QA/QC depts. I know this is more a personal testimony than hard facts... One can contact any given company's quality control for the most recent information on their product. Usually this is a third party validation and so should be accurate. IMO the Kirkland brand is as good as the Sears line and is a fraction of the price. I think you are right about Sears hyping fish oil a bit, but this may be a relative thing. Folks around here already tend to eat an insulin controling diet, quality protein etc. If one is sick, and eating a very bad diet I think the relative effects of supplemental fish oil are greater. I think it is a good idea to add some to ones diet but it may not be as dramatic if you are already pretty healthy. Sorry if this is rambling! I do not think the pharmaceutical grade is worth the extra money, I do think Kirkland and Carlson are good quality with Kirkland being the better price and more usable because it is free of Vit's A & D. I need more coffee.... Robb

10-05-2004, 11:46 AM	#6
Brad Hirakawa Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 762	I have not read Sears' book, so this may seem like a silly question to most of you. But, given that my primary animal protein source is fish, do I need to worry about fish oil supplements? That is, a can of sardines indicates there is 14g of fat. Is this equivalent to 14 of the 1g pills? Or, are the fish oil supps. concentrated somehow? Thanks! Brad

10-05-2004, 12:11 PM	#7
Mike Minium Moderator Profile: Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oakland CA Posts: 860	Brad, The fish oil supplements are way more concentrated. Spears spells out the difference in potency between eating fish and taking fish oil supplements with a little chart in the OmegaRx Zone. I'll post it later this evening. Also, on a more general note, Costco (at least the one in my area) is now selling a more concentrated fish oil cap. I can't remember the exact EPA/DHA doses per capsule, but I now only have to take 7 capsules a day to get a 3-gram dose of fish oil. Mike

10-05-2004, 12:14 PM	#8
Robert Wolf Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chico CA Posts: 2,670	Brad- You are likely doing well but the total fat content of a can of sardines is not all omega-3's. I think one obtains 1-2g. of EPA/DHA per can of sardines and 3-4g per can of mackerel (if you can gag the stuff down). Just make sure any salmon you eat is "wild" otherwise it has been grain fed. Robb

10-05-2004, 12:21 PM	#9
Ron Nelson Banned Profile: Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Anaheim CA Posts: 1,199	Hey Mike, My wife just came home with some on Sunday. I believe the EPA is around 180 and the DHA around 120 (but I'm guessing there). Is this the more concentrated type you referred to? If so, then way cool for me because it was about $10 cheaper than GNC's fish oil of the same concentration. BTW, Henry's Marketplace sells Carlson's for about $37 a bottle (.75 litre?) that seemed a little expensive to me. Is that about the average price? We're trying to get our daughter to take fish oil and flax oil to ease menstrual cramping and to aid in treating depression. It's supposed to inhance the effects of Prozac and maybe even eliminate the need over time.