One important criteria for fish oil.. since it crosses the blood brain barrier is that it should be molecularly distilled, pure and without heat processing. (must be free of mercury and other contaminants). If it smells fishy, it's rancid.
Important to know the ratios of EPA and DHA content. And also what the label says about Omega 6 content.
The Omega 3 expert, Barry Sears, PhD... says:
Daily Dosing: Total EPA/DHA Omega 3 Fish oil.
2.5 grams for Wellness – Omega 3 and a TBS of cod liver oil
5 gms daily to improve heart function and if diabetic
7.5 grams – to reduce pain and inflammation
10 – 25 grams for neurological diseases.
1. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, omega-6 increase inflammation.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids are antithrombotic, omega-6 increase blood clotting.
3. Omega-3 are non-immunoreactive, omega-6 are immunoreactive.
Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid but no EPA and DHA.
• Fish oil contains primarily EPA and DHA
We must test for AA/EPA ratio…. which should be 1.5 and 3 respectively.
He emphasized that testing for the ratio of Arachidonic Acid (AA) and EPA is the most precise marker of Silent Inflammation (SI)…. it is a predictor decades before diseases manifest. Early detection and prevention.
Jackie