Why Atlantic Cod Fish Oils Are a Poor Source of Omega 3's

Don’t buy cod fish oil to get your omega3s. There are much better choices, today. This article covers why using the Atlantic Cod as a source of omega3s is a bad idea.

The North Atlantic is heavily polluted with mercury, PCBs and dioxins. Mercury poisoning has occurred due to eating fish contaminated with it. Since it is in the water, it is in the fish.

The Atlantic Cod and similar species feed on smaller fish. Because of this, the concentration of contaminants increases over the course of the fish’s life. Adults would have a higher concentration of contaminants and their livers would be particularly contaminated, because the liver is the dumping ground for heavy metals.

Most cod fish oil is advertised as cod-liver oil, but it is actually derived from the entire body. A large market for fish meal exists. It is used in animal feed and to fortify certain foods. In order to make the meal, the fishes are ground up and the oils are removed. So, what you actually have is a byproduct of fish-meal production.

From there, the oils will need to be distilled and refined. The act of distillation reduces contaminants, but also reduces the nutritional value. While heavy metals are easily removed with the process, chemical contaminants like PCBs and dioxins may still be present. Manufacturers are not required to test each batch for contamination.

But, assuming that the oils have been purified, there is still a risk associated with cod fish oil. It contains retinol, the animal form of vitamin A.

Retinol is toxic at high doses. It causes birth defects. Regular intake of excessive amounts of vitamin A is associated with osteoporosis and bone fractures. Vitamin A competes with vitamin D for absorption and it interacts with parathyroid hormone which regulates calcium absorption. It has been estimated that 75% of people in developed countries take in more than the recommended daily allowance of retinol on a regular basis.

If vitamin A supplementation is desirable, it is best to take beta-carotene, the vegetable form. Beta-carotene is non-toxic. The body converts it on an as-needed basis to retinol. It is not possible to get too much beta-carotene in the diet.

From an environmental standpoint, taking cod fish oil is not recommended because of over-fishing. The popularity of specific species as food sources has rendered their populations unsustainable. Depletion of one population often affects other populations that feed on it, as well as the entire underwater ecosystem. People don’t often realize how much life on earth depends on life in the oceans.

Right now, the best choices for supplement manufacturers are species such as anchovy and hoki. They are small, reproduce quickly and are low on the food chain. They feed, to a great extent, on sea algae, with is rich in DHA, an important omega3 fatty acid.

The manufacturer should guarantee that their products are free of contaminants and rich in omega3 fatty acids. So, that’s why you shouldn’t buy cod fish oil. Spread the word and save the species.

About the author:
Valerie Rosenbaum knows that the health benefits of taking fish oil are vast and incredible. But cod fish oil is not a good source of omega 3's. Low quality fish oils may actually be harmful to your health, because they may contain toxic contaminants. Visit her site TakingFishOil.com to discover the pure, fish oil product she uses and recommends.

More Sports information like Valerie Rosenbaum's at CrystalLakeTalons.com

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