Common Myths About Omega-3 Supplements
Omega-3 fish oil is one of the essential nutrients needed by our bodies, and the media has undoubtedly played its role in highlighting the importance of this nutrient. People have understood the significance of fish oil as it is now the most prevalent non-mineral, non-vitamin supplement used in the US.
However, the rise in the popularity of fish oil supplements played a significant role in fueling the misinformation about this nutrient among the general public. These myths can be very dangerous for everyone as people might consume fish oil pills in an inappropriate manner leading to further complications. Therefore, let us debunk some of these myths about Omega-3 supplements to ensure that nobody falls victim to these myths.
Myth 1: All Omega-3 Sources Are Equally Health-Giving
There are numerous sources of omega-3, such as chia seeds, flaxseed, walnuts, and much more. Most people tend to think that there are many ways to provide our bodies with the required fatty acids. However, that is not true because different omega-3 sources yield different nutritional values. Omega-3 includes an entire family of fatty acids, and of all the food items that we consume, only fatty fish and breast milk for babies are equipped with the full range of the entire omega-3 family of fatty acids. This also includes the well-known DHA and EPA molecules. When looking further to plant sources, we can generally find only a specific type of omega-3 molecule known as ALA. Hence this proves that not all omega-3 sources are equally healthy giving, and we must do our research or consult a dietician to understand what type of omega-3 sources we must rely on.
Myth 2: Fish Is The Best Source Of Omega-3
Consuming fatty fish is an excellent way to increase our intake of omega-3, but that is not true in every case. If this were true, then there would not be 95% of Americans who do not get enough omega-3 nutrients from their diets. Many people consume seafood regularly, but it can still be challenging to get all our omega-3 nutrients from our diet with fish alone. Therefore, it is not just about earring fish, but more about the type of fish we eat. For instance, eating salmon caught from the wild will have more omega-3 nutrients than eating salmon raised on the farm. The best about consuming omega-3 supplements that are also available in the form of fish oil capsules is this way; one can be certain that they are getting the appropriate omega-3 nutrients.
Myth 3: Appropriate Intake Of Omega-3 Depends On The Weight And Age Of An Individual
Different individuals might indeed have different omega-3 dosages required for their bodies. However, it is not fair to say that the appropriate dosage is only dependent on the age and weight of an individual. We say so because the required intake can be influenced by many different factors that include genetics, lifestyle, age, and even age. Let us better understand this with an example. For instance, if a person consumes fewer processed foods filled with pro-inflammatory omega-6s generally require less omega-3 nutrients. Therefore, we must consult a physician or a dietician to determine the appropriate intake of omega-3 because our clinical condition is the primary determinant of required omega-3 intake. People with aggressive inflammation generally need more omega-3 nutrients to combat the inflammation.
Myth 4: Freezing Fish Oil Capsules Can Help Prevent Fishy Burps
Fishy burps that taste foul result from rancid fish oil, and one might be able to slow the digestion and mask the fishy flavors by freezing fish oil capsules. However, that is not a fix for solving the rancidity of the fish oil if it has gone wrong already. Our suggestion would be to break open the fish oil capsules after buying them, whether they make us burp or are the best fish oil supplements Canada. After that, we can check the smell and taste of the capsules to determine if the fish oil is still in fresh condition. If the capsules smell and taste fine, we freeze them to prevent any further oxidation soon.
Myth 5: Concentrated Fish Oils Are Better
The primary reason for the increased popularity of concentrated fish oil is that they deliver increased DHA or EHA per serving. However, there are certain issues with the concentrated omega-3 as well. Not many people know about it, but manufacturers have to alter the natural fatty acid balance of the fish oil to create concentrated fish oil. As manufacturers do this, it automatically strips the fish oil from its full spectrum omega-3 nutrients. Many studies have shown that this harms the bioavailability of fish oil. Therefore, we recommend consuming naturally available fish oil to provide the same level of DHA and EPA in just one or two teaspoons.
Myth 6: Fish Oil Or Omega-3 Health Benefits Are Too Good To Be True
People often find it hard to believe that a single nutrient could yield that many benefits as they are used to treat depression, chronic pain, dry eyes, and more. The primary reason behind omega-3 being studied extensively is because it is essential for the appropriate functioning of every cell in our bodies. Omega-3 can help us improve the permeability and fluidity of the cell membrane; they help counter the body’s inflammatory response; we can use them to influence gene expression and cell signaling apart from many other health benefits. So no matter how hard we believe omega-3 is one such nutrient with many health benefits, we can find numerous research to prove the same.
Conclusion
Omega-3 has many benefits, but we need to ensure that we consume these fish oil supplements in an appropriate quantity to avoid any adverse effects. Additionally, make sure to evaluate the quality of omega-3 supplements before consuming them because sometimes even the best fish oil supplement can go bad very easily.