Fish Oil / Omega-3's : Articles & Discussions

[Ian Kay]

It's obvious that fish oils are quickly becoming a "given" amongst fitness experts. I think that this, along with the myriad of questions that accompany this valuable but misunderstood supplement, warrants a collection of good discussions and articles.

Below are links to some of the better discussions we've had here at JP's, and below those are links to other sites.


JP Fitness Discussions:

"Charles Poliquin's New Article" (12/11/06)
Charles Poliquin's New Article

"New Mike Roussell Article" (12/4/06)
New Mike Roussell Article

"Coromega?" (10/9/06)
Coromega?

"Omega-3 Index" (9/8/06)
Omega-3 Index

"Fish Oil and Depression" (8/16/06)
Fish Oil and Depression

"TIME article on fish oil" (6/25/06)
TIME article on fish oil

"Fish Oil/Omega 3" (4/24/06)
Fish Oil/Omega 3

"Odorless Fish Oil Caps" (3/22/06)
Odorless Fish Oil Caps

"Fish Oil Supplements.....Your Thoughts Regarding Health" (2/16/06)
Fish Oil Supplements.....Your Thoughts Regarding Health

"Flame Out super fish oil/CLA" (2/6/06)
Flame Out super fish oil/CLA

"Fish: omega-3's good, toxins bad" (12/15/05)
Fish: omega-3's good, toxins bad

"Fish oil capsule question" (8/22/05)
fish oil capsule question


Articles:

Eric Cressey's "Fishy Advice"
http://www.ericcressey.com/fishyadvice1.html
http://www.ericcressey.com/fishyadvice2.html

Michael Roussell's "27 Nutrition Facts"
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1351653

"Omega-3: Fat You Can and Should Eat"
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/humannutrition/omega3.htm


TIPS:

"Today's tip comes from Mike Roussell: No Fish for Breakfast

Don't take your fish oil on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. EPA and DHA are "magical" but they're also fats. This means they can be burned as energy. So don't take them at a time when your body is dying for fuel — it's just a waste."
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1363375


"Today's nutrition tip comes from Dr. John Berardi: Eat Fat, Lose Fat

To lose fat, sometimes you have to eat fat. Monounsaturated fats and certain polyunsaturates actually speed up the metabolic rate. The best of the fat burning bunch are the highly unsaturated omega 3s called EPA and DHA. These omega 3 fatty acids can potentially help burn blubber through a variety of different mechanisms. A diet supplemented with omega 3-rich fish oil promotes losses of body fat with simultaneous gains in lean mass. That's right, more muscle and less fat, baby!"
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=931686


"Today's nutrition tip comes from Dr. John Berardi: Fish vs. Flax

Since flax and fish oils are made up mostly of polyunsaturated fats, they both play an important role in overall health and body comp. However, they play different roles. My advice: use both. My polyunsaturated fats come from both fish oil and flax oil. However, I do limit my flax oil to 1 tbsp per day as there's some evidence that high intakes of flax seed oil may have a negative effect on prostate health. So, I exercise caution and moderation with flax. "
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1354784


"Today's nutrition tip comes from Dr. John Berardi: Fish Oil Rules

I consider fish oil to be an essential supplement for fat loss. Data from the University of Western Ontario shows that fish oil supplementation increases lean body mass (during non-dieting conditions), increases BMR (by up to 400kcal/day), decreases inflammation, and improves the ratio of fat/carb oxidized (sparing carbs, burning fat). Recommended dose: Start with 6-10g per day of total fish oil (assuming 30% EPA and DHA)."
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=813735


Eric Noreen:
"the omega fats are polyunsaturates. There are several different omega 3 fatty acids, and there are several different omega 6 fatty acids. The grand daddy of all omega 3s is a fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (LNA). This fatty acid can be elongated and desaturated in the body to form several other omega 3 fatty acids. The two most talked about omega 3s that are made from LNA are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

The grand daddy of the 6 family is linoleic acid (LA). Just like LNA, LA can be elongated and desaturated in the body to form several other omega 6 fatty acids. The two Omega 6s made from LA that are most often talked about are gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA).

LA, LNA and the fats made from them are essential for physiological function. Since our bodies don't have the ability to make them, the amounts of omega 3s or 6s found in the body are largely a function of what we eat. Omega 3s are mainly found in fish oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil, walnut oil, and green leafy vegetables. Omega 6s are mainly found in vegetable oil, corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, and sesame oil.

Interestingly, the fats from animal products (meat, dairy, and eggs) that we usually think of as being all saturated can also provide some polyunsaturates. The level of polyunsaturates and the ratio of 3s to 6s is entirely dependent on what the animals are fed. Animal feed high in corn will produce animals that have high omega 6 fats. Animals fed natural grasses will be high in omega 3s. The implications of this are really important for us. "
http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/...roundtable.htm


OTHER LINKS:

Christopher R. Mohr, PhD, RD:
"Check out Nordic Naturals. As a health professional, you can get discounts on quality products like N. Naturals through a company called www.Emersonecologics.com. Honestly, you'll be hard pressed to find a higher quality product than NN (there are a few, but this is up with the best of them)."

[Cynic]

A lot of work went into this Ian. Two of the biggest tips I took away from my readings:

1. Take 3-6g combined EPA and DHA per day.
2. Take them after a feeding (extrapolated from Michael's advice).

I'm planning a cost analysis break down of some of the more popular brands since there is always the "which is best" question now and then. It least with a cost breakdown, that's one facet people have at their disposal for making an informed decision. It won't tell them which is nutritionally better, but it should help.

[jj]

Originally Posted by Cynic

A lot of work went into this Ian. Two of the biggest tips I took away from my readings:

1. Take 3-6g combined EPA and DHA per day.
2. Take them after a feeding (extrapolated from Michael's advice).

I'm planning a cost analysis break down of some of the more popular brands since there is always the "which is best" question now and then. It least with a cost breakdown, that's one facet people have at their disposal for making an informed decision. It won't tell them which is nutritionally better, but it should help.

I'll be anticipating this. That would be a great addition to this thread.

[Mohr Results]

Check out Nordic Naturals. As a health professional, you can get discounts on quality products like N. Naturals through a company called www.Emersonecologics.com. Honestly, you'll be hard pressed to find a higher quality product than NN (there are a few, but this is up with the best of them).

[Jean-Paul]

Awesome recap, Ian! Thanks!

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by Mohr Results

Check out Nordic Naturals. As a health professional, you can get discounts on quality products like N. Naturals through a company called www.Emersonecologics.com. Honestly, you'll be hard pressed to find a higher quality product than NN (there are a few, but this is up with the best of them).

You're not the first one to claim that. The other guy also claimed most research bodies use that brand in their studies.

I'll have to do a price comparison, because it's going to come down to spending money that I need elsewhere.

[tasinquefield]

How does Flamout compare to other fish oils on the market? I have been looking around for a good fish oil, but I am not sure which one to buy. Emerson's prices seem reasonable. My father takes this Res-Q capsules, but they are very pricey. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Travis

[Ian Kay]

Guys, as far as price comparisons (including Flameout), check out some of the links above!

(And thanks, JP!)

[OldGuy]

Nice job Ian.

[Michael Roussell]

Ian,

Great sticky. This is prevent a lot of redundant fish oil questions (hopefully).

-Mike

[rgv]

now this is exactly what i was looking for about 2 weeks ago. thank you so much for making a sticky thread!!

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by tasinquefield

How does Flamout compare to other fish oils on the market? I have been looking around for a good fish oil, but I am not sure which one to buy. Emerson's prices seem reasonable. My father takes this Res-Q capsules, but they are very pricey. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Travis

I did a comparison for that one.

Flameout (FO): $25 for a bottle of 90.
Theragran-M: $15 for a bottle of 200.

Theragrans
EPA: 231
DHA: 144

Flameout
DHA: 550
EPA: 220

Oops: I screwed up the math (crossed divided the figures):

DHA: 3.8x for FO
EPA: 1.1x for FO

But, since it's 3-6g combined for DHA and EPA:

2.1x for FO at 3.5x the cost.

Without knowing what your father is paying, I can't comment on the value of Res-Q, but it does have high concentrations, but! I though this was kind of funny:

Res-Q 1250 is NOT fish oil
Today, fish is the most accessible dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids. Unfortunately, popular fish species are often contaminated with PCBs, dioxins and heavy metals, such as mercury. As a result, public health authorities recommend limiting our intake of swordfish, salmon and certain other types of fish to once or twice a week. Res-Q 1250 is superior to other omega-3 supplements in several ways. We extract EPA and DHA from small, pelagic (deepwater) fish — herring, sardine and anchovy — that live in the Norwegian Sea. We harvest the fish far from coastal waters that might be tainted by runoff and other by-products of civilization. We also avoid larger species that live long enough to accumulate high levels of contaminants.

So it's not fish oil, but it's oil from fish.


If money is no object, go for it.

[tasinquefield]

Originally Posted by Cynic

I did a comparison for that one.

Flameout (FO): $25 for a bottle of 90.
Theragran-M: $15 for a bottle of 200.

Theragrans
EPA: 231
DHA: 144

Flameout
DHA: 550
EPA: 220

Oops: I screwed up the math (crossed divided the figures):

DHA: 3.8x for FO
EPA: 1.1x for FO

But, since it's 3-6g combined for DHA and EPA:

2.1x for FO at 3.5x the cost.

Without knowing what your father is paying, I can't comment on the value of Res-Q, but it does have high concentrations, but! I though this was kind of funny:

So it's not fish oil, but it's oil from fish.

If money is no object, go for it.

Well, money is an object, thus I haven't bought it because of the cost. I believe on the site you can get them for $50/bottle, but I've found them on a few places for $35. Also, the levels of DHA/EPA aren't any different than other products.

I am trying some fish oil capsules from Costco (480 EPA/400 DHA per 2 caps, 200 count for $11.50) right now (picked them up tonight) and as long as I don't get any fish burps I will continue to take those.

I found some Now Super EPA 1200mg on dpsnutrition for a little under $12, which has more EPA/DHA, (720/480 per 2 caps) for a quantity of 120 caps. So I might try those also.

[Bill2380]

Well, money is an object, thus I haven't bought it because of the cost. I believe on the site you can get them for $50/bottle, but I've found them on a few places for $35. Also, the levels of DHA/EPA aren't any different than other products.

ResQ states 750-850 mg total Omega 3 per singe capsule. Regular price is $50 per bottle of 200 caps. However, they do run weekly specials which can cut that in half. I usually buy a years supply when they run that one.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by Bill2380

ResQ states 750-850 mg total Omega 3 per singe capsule. Regular price is $50 per bottle of 200 caps. However, they do run weekly specials which can cut that in half. I usually buy a years supply when they run that one.

What's the story behind this ResQ place? Compared to a "regular" online store, it seems odd. Is it a radio informercial thing or something?

Our here, in Los Angeles, we have a Sunday radio "show" about health and nutrition. Listening carefully, it's a paid program/informercial for a "whole food supplement shop." They make me laugh, sometimes. Because virtually everything can be cured by detox or "our anti-parasite program" (especially the anal itching that occurs within the 3 days of the full moon).

Is this similar? I noticed the "radio" tab there.