Last week the Chicago Tribune ran an article about the ongoing war between the FDA and the EPA regarding their respective advisories to women and children about eating seafood.
For years, the FDA has taken the position that fish oil is good nutrition. The article cites a new report by the FDA showing that the nutrients in fish can raise a child’s IQ by three points. They point out that the risks posed by mercury are offset by the intelligence boost of fish oil.
The EPA counters that?? the FDA fails to consider that some species of fish tend to have much higher mercury levels than others. Studies have shown that fish eaten by pregnant women can cause brain damage to infants at birth, with delays in walking and talking as well as decreased attention span and memory.
The government agencies must have been exposed to mercury BECAUSE NO ONE IS USING THEIR BRAINS.
We all agree that fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids) is good for you, good for brains, good for mothers and good for babies and children.
We all agree that mercury is bad for you.
We all agree that fish swimming in the ocean contain some mercury – maybe some more than others?
DID YOU KNOW THAT FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTS CONTAIN NO MERCURY?
Over the last 7-8 years, the fish oil supplementation industry has changed their manufacturing practices and began DISTILLING the fish oil.
This means that fish oil supplements HAVE NO MERCURY.?? Let me restate that: If you take fish oil gel caps, you will not be exposed to any mercury.?? Zero. Zilch. Nada.
Here is what the FDA and EPA should be advising:
Fish oil is good for you. Forget the fish.?? Instead, take fish oil SUPPLEMENTS. Take as many gel caps as you can handle.?? Women, children, babies, husbands, boys, dogs, cats, … everybody … needs to take fish oil in the form of gel caps.
Sure, enjoy your fresh Atlantic Salmon flown in that morning for your restaurant delicacy. But your day-in, day-out primary source of Omega essential fatty acids should be in the form of supplements that are in gel caps.
I don’t know why the FDA and EPA can’t figure this out??? But we sure can.
Yes, and one more thing -?? Don’t forget about GLA.
What is GLA (gamma linolenic acid)??? GLA is a special Omega-6 fatty acid that is crucial in moderating inflammation. We need lots of GLA.
Too much fish oil supplementation can drive down GLA levels in the body.?? This is bad.
So we now add GLA to our fish oil regimen.?? We also add Oleic acid for better balance.
Here is some freebie advice: very few fish oil supplements contain GLA and/or Oleic acid.?? Here is one product we like:
Omega1000.
You can get it at www.Omega1000.com
Andrew Jones, M.D.
Medical Director, Women’s Health Institute of Texas