Most of us in the developed world at least are pretty aware of Omega 3 now. You can even find it in your favorite margarine, in fish oil supplements and various other kinds of “health foods”.
Omega 3 is found naturally in various types of fish too, but not all fish offer the same level of potency and this is where many people make mistakes.
Some of the best sources of Omega 3 found in fish include species such as:
- Hoki fish
- Trout
- Swordfish
- Red Snapper
- And of course salmon
The benefits of Omega 3 salmon oil
Omega 3 contains two main and beneficial ingredients known as DHA and EPA.
These are long-chain fatty acids, which to most people still don’t mean much, so let’s discuss the proven benefits of these two types of acids.
Prevention of depression and bipolar disorders
There have been numerous studies carried out in the last few decades regarding Omega 3 and the benefits it has towards sufferers of a number of mental conditions.
One specific benefit that could help sufferers of depression is that it helps the body to produce more serotonin (the naturally occurring chemical which makes us feel happy).
Also, some sufferers of ADHD have been shown to experience dramatic improvements when taking an Omega 3 supplement and today, Omega 3 is considered one of the top “natural ADHD remedies” by many doctors and medical professionals around the world.
It can help to improve levels of concentration and also regulate correct levels of chemical production in the brain.
What should you look out for?
As Omega 3 is one of the most popular health products out there, a lot of companies are simply out for a quick profit and will cut many important corners to do so.
To ensure that you are getting your hands on a quality product, the first thing you should find out is where the company source their fish from. Fish that are sourced from polluted waters will not only be low quality in regards to Omega 3 potency, but may even pose an increased risk towards your health.
The cleaning process
After ensuring that the Omega 3 salmon oil has been sourced from clean waters, the next thing you should investigate is the process in which the oil is manufactured.
This is extremely important as many fish contain toxins such as lead, which needs to be removed from the oil before it is packaged. Other contaminants which can be found in low quality fish oil include PCB’s which are carcinogenic and have actually been banned in health products since the late 1970’s. PCB’s can still be found in electrical cables and telephone wires in the fish’s natural environment so cleaning this from the oil should be a top priority for any conscientious health company.
Finally, one surprising fact about fish oil is that many products are actually way past their sell-by-date by the time they reach consumer shelves. Freshness is really important with any natural product. High quality Omega 3 oil should not give off a strong fishy smell, and should be almost clear in color.
