There are four main areas to compare: omega 3 levels, purity levels, antioxidants and price. The two main omega 3 fatty acids are DHA and EPA and while both are important, DHA provides most of the benefits, especially for heart and brain health.

A good quality fish oil will contain an average of 560mg of DHA per daily serving of two capsules while krill oil capsules only have an average of 90mg per two capsules.

This is a very large difference and means with the krill you are being robbed of most of the important benefits, as this amount can only help a little.

Prevention of heart disease, lower cholesterol, treatment for arthritis, better brain health and vision and many more benefits will only get a small lift from krill oil.

When it comes to purity, I believe that the average krill oil is more pure than the fish oil. This is because they normally come from the pristine Antarctica waters with little or no contamination. However, that is compared to average fish oils which tend to be poor quality.

If the oil has been molecularly distilled, all the contaminants from the fish are removed and the omega 3 content increased which puts them on an even footing with the krill oil capsules.

The high antioxidant levels in krill are a little misleading as they are mostly present to preserve the oil rather than to benefit your health!

Lastly on price, to get the equivalent amount of omega 3 and health benefits you have to pay at least four times as much for the krill. For example the fish oils I take cost $17 for a month and give me 560mg each day of DHA.

An average bottle of krill oil capsules costs at least $30 for a month and only gives you 90mg of DHA per day so you would have to pay over $180 dollars a month for the equivalent amount of DHA from my fish oil!

Krill oil capsules are nothing more than the latest hyped up supplement and raise more serious questions about sustainability and how this will affect the marine food chain which depends on krill to maintain the fragile balance.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take, visit my website below.

Discover the best omega-3 fish oil today.

Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and the amazing health benefits of high-quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at www.best-omega-3-supplement.com and discover the latest DHA omega 3 fish oils he recommends after extensive research.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/are-krill-oil-capsules-better-than-fish-oil-capsules-for-your-health-1783243.html

I’ll bet you didn’t know that the body prepares mother’s milk so that it has high levels of omega 3 fatty acids in it did you?  A lot of people don’t realize it, but this is nature’s way of showing you just how important to the development of your infant this essential nutrient is.  It is omega 3 fatty acids that are primarily responsible for the healthy cognitive development of your child.

A steady intake of omega 3 fatty acids for children does not have to begin after they are born either, because benefits can begin from the time of inception.  It has been proven that women who begin taking fish oil supplements either before they become pregnant or sometime during the pregnancy will pass on the health benefits they receive to their unborn child.

For the benefit of the child there is no more important time for a woman to have high levels of DHA in her blood than during the third trimester of the pregnancy.  This is when the most crucial cognitive development is taking place, and children who are suffer DHA deficiencies during this period are often born with IQ’s 6 to 10 points lower than those that enjoy high DHA levels.

Prenatal supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids for children will allow the child to have a longer attention span, better logic and reasoning skills, superior hand to eye coordination, and greater visual acuity.  It is not unusual for children reared on DHA rich omega fatty acids to score higher in mental aptitude and knowledge tests.  They are also less likely to suffer from mental and physical ailments that have become increasingly common in children.

Through dietary supplementation with DHA omega 3 fish oil it is possible to greatly decrease your child’s chances of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, allergies, and asthma.  Continued use of DHA fish oil supplements can also prevent such ailments as adult onset non-insulin dependent diabetes, arthritis, gout, and inflammatory bowel disease later in life.

The many benefits of omega 3 fatty acids for children also extend to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, and a decreased probability of developing prostate, colon and breast cancer.  There are just too many positive things that supplementing your child’s diet with omega 3 fatty acids can do for their health for you to ignore.  You can virtually guarantee a healthy life for him or her, and a superior chance at a successful future.

So go ahead.  There is no downside to omega 3 fatty acids for children, so be sure to include DHA omega 3 fish oil in your child’s daily routine.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/learn-about-omega-3-fatty-acids-for-children-1778356.html

There are three main issues you need to be aware of when it comes to taking these capsules — the dose, purity and the freshness.

So who do you believe when it comes to dosage of fish oil — each manufacturer has a different story?

There have been dozens if not hundreds of scientific studies and tests conducted over the last few years. Initially they figured out a high intake of EPA was preferable to a higher dosage of DHA.

However opinion has now changed and they tell us DHA is more beneficial for your system than EPA. Based on this information it appears that you should have a dosage per soft gel of at least twice as much DHA as EPA.

This new information now to hand makes it much easier to find a good brand of capsules. It seems most of the ones on the market still have more EPA in each soft gel than DHA.

The actual amount of fish oil in the capsule is of little interest to us because the ingredients that benefit us are the omega 3 fatty acids. Keep this fact in mind when you look for a product – make sure it contains at least 50% DHA, EPA and other omega-3 fatty acids in each capsule.

The other issue often confused by many people is the amount of capsules should you take each day. Here again most supplies of omega 3 fish oil products have different opinions on how many soft gels you should take daily.

Always keep in the back of your mind, if you consume too much of a specific substance including fish oil — it may do you more harm than good.

From the research I’ve conducted over the past few months, it seems to me the optimum dosage of fish oil is between 2000mg and 2500mg per day. Of course you must remember to consult your doctor if you have a specific condition, or you need dosage advice on treating conditions like arthritis.

Based on these figures you would be wise to use a product with a dosage of 2 x 1000mg soft gels per day, which will include at least 500mg of omega 3 fatty acids.

Always go to the manufacturers website before buying any new fish oil product. Evaluate their dosage recommendations and check that their product is the purest and freshest of any available on the market.

Would you like to learn more about dosage of fish oil issues?

If so — visit John’s site where he discusses more about using natural pure substances that are extremely effective and 100% safe to use. Go to –> http://www.best-fish-oil-supplement.com today.

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First, let’s clarify what we mean by postpartum depression, or postnatal depression. This is a form of clinical depression, usually lasting for several months. It’s characterised by feelings of sadness, anxiety and irritableness, fatigue, insomnia, appetite changes, reduced libido and crying episodes. It shouldn’t be confused with maternity blues or ‘baby blues’, which generally last only a few hours or days.

But whether you’re experiencing postpartum depression or a dose of the baby blues, it seems that fish oil could be the key to alleviating both conditions.

It’s not the oil itself but the omega 3 fatty acids in oily fish that can help to improve mood and behaviour.

It has been well known for some time that fatty acids are essential for the healthy formation of the brain’s nerve cell membranes and membrane fluidity. Because nerve cell function depends on proper membrane functioning and membrane fluidity, any changes can have a negative effect on behavior, mood and mental function.

A 1998 report in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that patients with depression had significantly lower levels of omega 3s in their red blood cell membranes.

It seems that omega 3 makes it easier for serotonin – the chemical that carries messages from one brain cell to another – to pass through cell membranes. Increasing the fatty acid levels has a direct effect on increasing serotonin levels and the more serotonin, the better a person’s mood and behaviour.

People with bipolar disorder can also benefit from increased omega 3s as their mood swings can be significantly smoothed out. Anyone taking antidepressants for postpartum depression should also consider boosting their intake, as studies show that the effectiveness of this medication can be improved.

To reinforce the connection between a good intake of omega 3s and reduced postpartum depression, people from cultures that consume a lot of these essential fatty acids have significantly lower rates of depression.

Fish or fish oil supplements?

In recent times, most of us have tried to reduce our consumption of fats in the interests of good heart health and our waistlines. But it seems that we may have gone a little too far.

Grass-fed beef and eggs are both good sources of omega 3 fatty acids but we have turned away from these saturated fat foods in favour of polyunsaturated plant fats, such as corn, soybean and sunflower oils.

Although these plant-based oils can help reduce bad saturated fats in our diet, they are low in omega 3s.

The best source of fatty acids is fish oil. This is because it contains the two main fatty acids, DHA and EPA. You can also get omega 3s from plants such as flaxseeds and walnuts but they don’t contain both EPA and DHA. Instead, they contain ALA, another type of fatty acid, which your body can convert to EPA and DHA. Unfortunately, the conversion process isn’t very efficient and you need about 11 grams of ALA just to get one gram of DHA.

So oily fish is the best source of omega 3s for postpartum depression.

But there is a downside to consuming more oily fish. Often, these fish are farmed or caught in waters that contain high levels of mercury and other heavy metals, as well as PCBs and dioxins. These substances can seriously damage your health over time and so many people turn to fish oil supplements instead.

A good quality supplement will be molecularly distilled to remove any trace of contaminants. It should also be fresh – check the manufacturer’s certificate of analysis (COA) on their website to make sure they test their product’s oxidation levels. An oxidised product will be full of free radicals, which damage cells and undo all the benefits of taking the oil.

So there’s no need to put up with the symptoms of postpartum depression, or the baby blues, when help could be at hand in the form of simple fish oil supplements. If you would like more information about omega 3 and its many benefits, or about the supplements I use daily myself, please visit my website.

My name is Therese Samson and I promote natural approaches to health and well-being for the whole family at http://www.my-omega-3.com, where you’ll find out about the many ways omega 3 fish oil can improve heart, brain, skin and immune system health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/are-you-at-risk-of-postpartum-depression-how-fish-oil-could-banish-those-negative-feelings-1763718.html

We cannot produce essential fatty acids in our own bodies so we need to get them in our diet. There are several different omega 3s but the most important ones are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

These are long-chain, highly unsaturated fatty acids. DHA is the most complex of these and it is responsible for building tissue in the brain and retina, as well as lowering triglycerides and improving brain function. EPA is beneficial for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and arthritis. Your body can use EPA to make DHA but the conversion is not very efficient so it’s best to eat foods that contain more DHA than EPA.

Plant sources

Plant sources of omega 3 fatty acids include flaxseed, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and soybeans.

These plant-based sources generally don’t contain EPA and DHA, however. They contain another omega 3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Our bodies can convert ALA to EPA (and so eventually to DHA) but the conversion process is quite difficult. You need about 11 grams of ALA to get just one gram of DHA.

Animal sources

Animal sources of omega 3 fatty acids include fish oil, fish liver, grass-fed beef (not grain-fed) and milk from grass-fed cows, and eggs from chickens fed on greens and insects.

Animals sources contain EPA and DHA, with oily fish having the most concentrated amounts.

So, on the whole, it’s best to eat animal-based omega 3 products, particularly oily fish. If you really don’t want to eat fish or other animal products, you can find microalgae products (seaweed) that have been produced in bioreactors to increase their natural levels of DHA.

Fish oil supplements

While it’s a good idea to increase your consumption of oily fish as one of the best sources of omega 3 fatty acids, there are some drawbacks to eating more fish.

Unfortunately, many of the oily fish species caught in the world today, such as tuna, salmon and mackerel, may contain high levels of heavy metals (mercury and lead), PCBs and dioxins. These substances can cause cancers and developmental problems and many health experts now advise people to be wary of eating too much fish, even at the risk of eating too little omega 3.

Fortunately, there is an alternative. Fish oil supplements provide all the advantages of oily fish with reduced risk of contaminants.

This is because fish oil can be filtered to remove any contaminants. Many people also find that taking a fish oil capsule or two a day is easier – and even cheaper – than cooking and eating several meals of fish.

It’s very important that you choose your supplements carefully. Ideally, the fish used in the supplement should be as free from contaminants as possible before being treated. The best fish oil comes from the species hoki, which is caught in the clean waters of the Southern Ocean off the coast of New Zealand. Combined with tuna oil, it is molecularly distilled to reduce any last tiny trace of contaminants.

Overall, fish oil is the best of all sources of omega 3 fatty acids and it could be argued that supplements are even better than the fish itself, in terms of freshness, purity and safety. If you would like to know more about omega 3 and its benefits for your health, and about the supplements I use myself, please visit my website.

My name is Therese Samson and I promote natural approaches to health and well-being for the whole family at http://www.my-omega-3.com, where you’ll find out about the many ways omega 3 fish oil can improve heart, brain, skin and immune system health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/best-sources-of-omega-3-fatty-acids-how-to-get-your-essential-omega-3s-1763724.html

While many of us think of fish oils as only protecting the heart and lowering blood pressure, much recent research has shown how one of its fatty acids called DHA is responsible for most of the benefits.

Not only is DHA turned into a powerful anti-inflammatory by the body called Resolvin D2 but also makes up a significant proportion of the brain and is vital to its health and to our mental well being.

The study I mentioned earlier comprised of 485 healthy people who had taken DHA fish oil for six months with an average age of 70 and the results showed a significant increase in memory and general brain function.

They concluded it was like turning back the clock many years such was the improvement!

Scientists have discovered that the DHA fats help to keep the neural pathways free of harmful platelets and speed up the transmissions as a result.

They also help to keep the membranes healthy and fluid which also improves the quality of the signals considerably.

As supplements for memory loss go, I am not aware of any achieving these results as well as helping to reduce heart attacks and strokes and all the other benefits they provide.

They have also been found to actually raise a child’s IQ levels and those students who take omega 3 before and during studying tend to retain more information and do better in the exams that follow.

Getting the right fish oil is crucial with so many poor quality ones around today to cash in on their popularity. When it comes to memory loss, high levels of DHA are needed to combat this and I would suggest at least 260mg per 1000mg capsule for the best results.

Look for the highest purity levels as well and the good oils will come with a Certificate of Analysis to detail which batch of fish they came from and to provide you with full traceability.

Why not start using fish oils as supplements for memory loss and enjoy all the other health rewards that come with them.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take, visit my website below today.

Discover the best omega-3 fish oil today.

Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and the amazing health benefits of high-quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at www.best-omega-3-supplement.com and discover the latest DHA omega 3 fish oils he recommends after extensive research.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/supplements-for-memory-loss-why-omega-3-fish-oils-hold-the-key-to-improved-memory-1756292.html

It is the main omega 3 fatty acid called DHA which is responsible for the brain and other health benefits. Over 30% of the fats in the brain are DHA omega 3 and the body cannot manufacture it. This is why fish oils make such good brain function supplements as they maintain the right levels in the brains gray matter.

Remember that over ninety percent of the population is estimated to be lacking in these essential fats!

What these fatty acids do is help to keep the neural pathways clear from platelet build up. These harmful deposits can interrupt transmissions and slow down their speed. It is known that fish oil can help to protect you against diseases like Alzheimer’s and help to ease the symptoms in those people that already have it.

Improvements in memory, concentration and coordination have also been established in clinical trials making these oils the most effective and natural brain function supplements available!

They have also been shown to reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia by over twenty-five percent as well and much of the increases in mental conditions like this are put down to our lack of consumption of fresh fish.

This is understandable as the amount of toxins they contain cancels out any beneficial effects and why experts and heart charities recommend a quality fish oil supplement instead.

You just need to make sure of a couple of things when selecting a fish oil.

It should contain a minimum of 260mg of DHA per 1000mg standard capsule and have been molecularly distilled to remove all the harmful contaminants. You will find that most of them have more of the other less useful fatty acid EPA, so check carefully.

To help you avoid potentially degenerative diseases and maintain your brains health, use fish oils as brain function supplements as then you get all the other health benefits as well.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take, visit my website below today.

Discover the best omega-3 fish oil today.

Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and the amazing health benefits of high-quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at www.best-omega-3-supplement.com and discover the latest DHA omega 3 fish oils he recommends after extensive research.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/why-omega-3-fish-oils-make-the-best-brain-function-supplements-1743759.html

Fish has traditionally had the nickname of “brain food” but until recently it was not known exactly how they help as brain enhancer supplements. Recent research has revealed that it is the DHA fatty acids in the fish oils that help to keep the brain healthy and ensure proper functioning.

They can help to remove dangerous plaque build-up which can slow down the transmission and clarity of signals along the neural pathways and also make up over 30% of the total fat content of the brain. They are not made in the body but must come from what we eat and most of us are lacking in them.

These oils are proven to relieve the symptoms of many mental illnesses like bi-polar disorder, severe depression and even schizophrenia as people with these tend to have low levels of DHA fats.

In children they are proven to help with development, concentration, vision and hand-eye coordination and are essential to help them develop naturally. They have even been shown to raise a child’s IQ level.

All this and of course they provide many other important health benefits too like prevention of heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, improved immune system and prevention and treatment of breast and prostate cancers.

To get these benefits and for them to be effective brain enhancer supplements, you need to select the right ones as many are poor quality and offer little benefits.

Always check the label or website to see the individual omega 3 levels, namely DHA and EPA. Most have very little DHA and too much EPA so look to get at least 260mg of DHA in each 1000mg capsule or soft gel.

Molecular distillation is necessary to remove all the toxins and concentrate the oil for more omega 3. If the oil is proven to be totally pure, like the Hoki fish from New Zealand, then distillation is not necessary.

Good oils will also come with a Certificate of Analysis to show the batch they came from and full traceability.

The use of fish oils as brain enhancer supplements should not be overlooked, especially as you get all the other important health benefits as well.

If you would like to learn more about the high quality DHA omega 3 supplements I personally take, visit my website below today.

Discover the best omega-3 fish oil today.

Rich Hawkins is a dedicated researcher of nutrition, diet and the amazing health benefits of high-quality fish oil. Take a moment to visit his site now at www.best-omega-3-supplement.com and discover the latest DHA omega 3 fish oils he recommends after extensive research.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/why-omega-3-fish-oils-make-the-best-brain-enhancer-supplements-1743761.html

ALA omega3 is present in flaxseed, nuts, tofu, green vegetables, and soya where as fish fats contain both DHA and EPA type of omega-3 fatty acids.

You will be surprised to know that according to a latest study, 90% of us lack in essential DHA. Therefore, it is in our interest to eat food high in DHA i.e., fish fats to compensate the loss.

You may ask – because the body can convert ALA to DHA and EPA, so why we should take only fish fats and not flaxseeds to bridge the gap of deficiency. Answer is the inefficient conversion process. This means that though the body can convert ALA to DHA and EPA, but this is very complex and is dependent on various internal parameters. Therefore, it is not very effective and efficient. Moreover, most of the ALA is burnt into energy, and only a small portion (5%) is left for the conversion.

Thus, we have two choices – eat tones of flaxseed and then wait for the body to convert ALA to DHA or directly eat fish fats to get desired levels of DHA and EPA. I recommend the latter one.

There are two ways to attain fish fats – eating fish or consuming fish oil supplements. Of the two, supplement is the better choice and is recommended for following reasons -

Lesser levels of toxins – With increasing pollution in ocean waters, fish caught from them are also full of impurities. Supplement, on the other hand, is pure, because it undergoes the various refining process during its manufacturing.

DHA can be measured – This information is present on the ingredient label or on the company’s web-site. Knowledge of the amount of DHA you are taking daily protects you from over dosing of the same.

It is easy to take and is convenient to procure – Supplements do not need any cooking time or various recipes. You just have to swallow them. If you have problem swallowing then you may cut open one gel and pour the oil in your favorite dish or drink.

Cost effective – One bottle of a supplement that is sufficient for one complete month costs less than $20.

A word of warning; like any other product, market has many effective as well as substandard supplements available. You have to be cautious not to pick the inferior one; its consumption can do more harm than good.

To learn more on how to select a high DHA, fresh and pure omega3 supplement, visit my web-site Omega 3 Brief today.

Chuck Blake is an active researcher and consumer of fish oil products.Visit his website http://omega3brief.com today to learn more about the powerful benefits of omega-3 fish oils.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/why-take-fish-fats-over-other-sources-of-omega3-1736867.html

Scientists first began the study of the potential health benefits of omega 3s several decades ago, in order to find out what kept Eskimo’s from developing heart disease.  The American and Greenland Eskimos studied ate a diet that consisted of an amazing amount of fat, yet cardiovascular disease was virtually non-existent among their people.  There had to be a reason for this.

It was discovered that the effects of fish oil on the cardiovascular system counteracted the negative effect a high fat diet would typically have.  The Eskimo people did not have a problem with high cholesterol, nor did they suffer high blood pressure.  There was evidence that DHA omega 3 fatty acid was the cause of this, and also responsible for the lack of plaque buildup in the arteries.

In addition, DHA omega 3 fatty acid helps to lower a person’s heart rate, thwarts the formation of blood clots by preventing blood platelets from sticking together, and it will inhibit the development of potentially deadly heartbeat irregularities.  The cardiovascular benefits of DHA and EPA omega fatty acids are only one of the ways that supplementing your diet by taking fish oil capsules can help you stay healthy.

Scientists found out during the study of these native people that the positive effects of fish oil extended to the prevention of certain types of cancer.  These natives do not normally suffer from colon, prostate, or breast cancer.  Supplementing your diet with DHA and EPA rich fish oil may prevent the development of these forms of cancer, and may also increase the chances of beating the disease should you happen to develop one form or another.

DHA and EPA omega fatty acids also have a powerful effect on cognitive development and proper brain function.  These fatty acids have a positive effect on depression, aggression and hostility, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.  They may even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

The positive effects of fish oil extend to nearly all of the inflammatory diseases that affect our society.  These include arthritis, gout, bronchial asthma, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel syndrome.  Omega 3 fatty acids are vital to your vision also, as well as your level of dexterity.  As you can see, the benefits of omega 3s just go on and on.

You need to take advantage of the positive effects of fish oil, because you only have one life to live and you want to ensure that you are able to enjoy it.  Omega 3 fatty acids will help to protect your health in ways that no other nutrients can.

You can learn more insights by visiting my web site and discovering more natural ingredients I personally use daily.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily.

Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-are-the-effects-of-fish-oil-1735111.html