Tuesday 16 June 2015

Supplement Review Part 3 of 3 - Fish Oils

Fats/lipids are essential to the body and its everyday metabolic process’ including providing insulation, acting as an energy source, protecting against shock, and maintaining cell membranes.  Triglycerides are a form of fat essential for energy production obtained either via the diet or from fat stores.  Fatty acids are essentially building blocks that make up a single triglyceride, and many of these fatty acids are produced by the body. Some fatty acids cannot be produced by the body, and therefore must be obtained via the diet; these include linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linoleic acid (Omega-3). 

Alpha-linoleic acid or Omega-3 is essential for normal growth and development, especially in the eyes and brain, and also plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and inflammation.  Fish oil is a popular supplement comprised of omega-3 fatty acids, aimed at alleviating a range of health conditions including improving cardiovascular and brain health, and reducing joint and arthritis inflammation. Fish oil contains two forms of omega-3, one is Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which lowers blood pressure, prevents blood clott formation, protects against irregular heart beats, and reduces inflammation. The other form is Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is essential for the central nervous system, brain development and normal brain function.

Swisse Ultraboost Wild Fish Oil is a popular fish oil on the market available at your local pharmacy or discount chemist. Swisse Ultraboost contains a total of 0.261g of omega-3 triglycerides, comprised of 0.139g of EPA, and 0.087g of DHA.  Alternatively, Bioceuticals Ultraclean 85 Fish Oil contains a total of 4.5g of omega-3 triglycerides, comprised of 2.5g of EPA and 0.94g of DHA. This translates to a daily dose of next to half that of Swisse Ultraboost, supporting that fact that is the highest strength fish oil available on the market. Bioceuticals Ultraclean is also sustainably sourced from wildly caught Alaskan Pollock, contains no heavy metals, is a liquid form to ensure better absorption, and has an orange flavour with no reflux or fishy after taste.


Swisse Ultraboost Wild Fish Oil
Bioceuticals Ultraclean 85 Fish Oil
Price
$27.50
$55 .95
Size
500mL
200mL
Ingredients
Omega-3 Triglycerides - 0.261g:
EPA - 0.139g
DHA - 0.087g
Omega-3 Triglycerides - 
4.5g:
EPA - 2 .5g
DHA - 0.94g
Dosage:
General health
Joints

3.5mL
10.5mL

2.5mL
5mL

Omega-3 is naturally found in a range of foods, as listed below. When increased in the diet these foods will help to reduce joint and arthritis inflammation, and assist to maintain cardiovascular and brain health.

Oils: flaxseed, canola, soybean & walnuts
Nuts & Seeds: flax, almond, walnuts, & soybeans

Pacific Oysters & Fish: blue mackerel, salmon, sardines & tuna 

Sarah Campbell

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