When it comes to helping your body stay healthy, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and beneficial vitamins and minerals should obviously be your first priority. But you also shouldn’t forget to consume a product called omega 3 fatty acids: studies show that this essential fat is linked to everything from cardiovascular health and reduced inflammation to lower levels of depression. Typically found in oily fish like salmon and tuna, flaxseed and walnuts, health organizations often recommend that the average person consume 500 mg of omega-3s per day. Unfortunately, for people who do not regularly eat fish, this can be a difficult goal to meet. Because of this, many choose to consume fish oil capsules, a tasteless supplement that offers the same benefits of omega 3-rich foods. But how do you choose between the many different fish oil supplements available for sale?
Talk To Your Doctor
While fish oil capsules undoubtedly have a healthy effect on the body, higher doses of the product have been shown to thin the blood, a consequence that can be detrimental to people who are taking other medications and supplements, or have certain medical conditions. Moreover, if you eat a fish-heavy diet, you may not need to take fish oil capsules at all. For this reason, you should first talk to your doctor about the dosage of this product that is appropriate for you, given the state of your health.
Read the Label
There are three different types of omega 3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha linolenic acid (ALA). While EPA especially has been shown to have a number of healthy benefits, ALA is inefficiently converted in our bodies to EPA or DHA after consumption. Because of this, you should consider looking for EPA only fish oil or products that are high in these specific types of omega-3s. Don’t settle for capsules that simply claim to have a certain number of grams of fish oil; look for high concentrations of the essential fatty acids themselves. And don’t forget to consider the number of suggested capsules, too!
Consider Brand Reputation
Before you buy fish oil capsules, research different producers online: you should be able to find a variety of reviews that rate the pills on taste, observed effect, and more. You will also be able to find a lot of information on the pills themselves, such as the manufacturing, purification and testing processes they use to create quality products. This should help establish a clear choice out of the many available fish oil supplements available in the modern market.
With the many different fish oil and omega-3 supplements available, it can be challenging for the average consumer to determine which product is the best option for their lifestyle. However, with the benefits omega 3 fatty acids offer, finding the right product is well-worth the challenge. Follow the tips above to start your fish oil search today!