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What is Pure Fish Oil?

Angela Dalecki
Angela Dalecki

Pure fish oil is a natural health supplement that is free of pollutants and toxins. While fish oil supplements typically can be found on the open market, many contain dioxins, arsenic, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, or other chemical toxins. Fish oil pills provide a number of health benefits, due to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. Fatty fish, including tuna and salmon, are a good source of omega-3 oils. Due to the danger of mercury poisoning, toxins, and other concerns, people tend to not eat large amounts of fatty fish.

Omega-3 oils don't naturally occur in other foods even though the human body needs them in order to survive. Generally, omega-3 oils reduce inflammation in the body and keep blood from forming harmful clots. They are also known to lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of obesity, and even prevent growth of cancer cells.

Mackerel is often used as the source for fish oil tablets.
Mackerel is often used as the source for fish oil tablets.

Pure fish oil supplements provide all the benefits of eating fatty fish without any of the risks. In fact, many doctors recommend pure fish oil as a dietary supplement because of its numerous health benefits. For example, because it helps lower cholesterol levels, pure fish oil can lower the risk of heart disease. Fish oil also increases the effectiveness of exercise as a weight-loss tool.

Hoki, which is often used to make fish oil.
Hoki, which is often used to make fish oil.

Fish oil pills can be used to treat a variety of maladies, including gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, and ulcers. It generally has such a positive effect on mood that many therapists recommend fish oil for depression, anxiety, and related mood disorders. Pure fish oil has the ability to improve vision, relieve dry skin or acne, and prevent hair loss. Applied topically, pure fish oil can relieve itching and flaking caused by psoriasis or eczema.

Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Many doctors also recommend that expectant mothers take pure fish oil supplements during pregnancy. Fish oil helps prevent miscarriage and many birth defects. It also aids in the development of the baby's eyes and brain, and lowers the risk of postpartum depression. Some research has also linked fish oil with improved fertility.

Pure fish oil may be extracted from hoki, salmon, and tuna that are raised off New Zealand's southern coast — one of the few areas in the world that is sheltered from industrial contamination. Oil from fish raised in other parts of the world may be considered pure only if it has been molecularly distilled — a process in which the toxins are carefully eliminated from the fish oil. Not every fish oil product on the market can be considered pure, so a person typically should check labels carefully before purchase.

Discussion Comments

RocketLanch8

I've been taking pure fish oil supplements made from krill for years, and I haven't experienced too many bad side effects. My doctor said that some fish oils will naturally float to the top of the stomach, which is why some people taste something fishy when they burp. He told me to take the fish oil capsules with a meal to cut down on the chances of indigestion.

When I first started shopping around for the best fish oil supplement, I was surprised to learn I could pay as much or as little as I wanted. I could get cheap fish oil vitamins at a dollar store, or I could pay $20 or more for pure fish oil capsules at a health food store. Grocery stores and drugstores had every price point in-between.

Cageybird

I started taking fish oil supplements as part of a larger diet plan, but I'm not sure if I'm getting pure fish oil or not. There are times when I experience a strong fish taste after I burp, and I've heard that may be a sign of a bad variety of fish oil. I may have to visit a local health food store and see if an employee can recommend the best fish oil supplement for my needs.

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    • Mackerel is often used as the source for fish oil tablets.
      Mackerel is often used as the source for fish oil tablets.
    • Hoki, which is often used to make fish oil.
      By: FOOD-pictures
      Hoki, which is often used to make fish oil.
    • Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
      By: dulsita
      Salmon fillets are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
    • Capsules containing pure cod liver oil can be purchased at grocery and drug stores.
      By: maron
      Capsules containing pure cod liver oil can be purchased at grocery and drug stores.
    • Research suggests that kids who take fish oil daily improve their scores on standardized tests.
      By: Evgeniy Drogozhilov
      Research suggests that kids who take fish oil daily improve their scores on standardized tests.
    • Many therapists recommend fish oil for depression and anxiety.
      By: Nikki Zalewski
      Many therapists recommend fish oil for depression and anxiety.
    • Pregnant women are advised to consume the omega-3 fatty acid DHA to promote healthy neurological development in their babies.
      By: Rohit Seth
      Pregnant women are advised to consume the omega-3 fatty acid DHA to promote healthy neurological development in their babies.
    • Pure fish oil helps lower the risk of developing postpartum depression.
      By: Vanessa van Rensburg
      Pure fish oil helps lower the risk of developing postpartum depression.
    • Free of contaminants, pure fish oil supplements are rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, commonly called DHA.
      By: Stephen VanHorn
      Free of contaminants, pure fish oil supplements are rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, commonly called DHA.
    • Consuming pure fish oil during pregnancy may help prevent miscarriage.
      By: Monkey Business
      Consuming pure fish oil during pregnancy may help prevent miscarriage.