| It is probably not an exaggeration to say that | | | | Educated consumers, who are aware of this, |
| more fish oil supplements are claimed to be | | | | know that any omega3 rich species from any |
| sourced from salmon than any other species. | | | | area can have ocean toxins in them. Predatory |
| Why? Is salmon omega3 richer in nutrients? Does | | | | fish have most of the omega3s and also most of |
| it have fewer ocean toxins than others? Is this | | | | the contaminants. It doe not matter where a fish |
| popularity causing overfishing? What other fish are | | | | is born but where it spends most of its life eating. |
| there? | | | | In other words, do not be fooled by an Alaskan |
| 1] The reason consumers are researching salmon | | | | salmon omega3 supplement that suggests it is |
| omega3 are two fatty acids from the omega3 | | | | pure because of the salmon source. |
| family found in salmon and other cold water fish. | | | | 3] It has been estimated that around 70% of the |
| They are called EPA and DHA. It is these two | | | | species in the oceans are over fished. This has led |
| that get all the endorsements - the F.D.A., the | | | | to an increasing number of fish farms. Norway |
| A.H.A., the American Eye Institute, the Alzheimer's | | | | has over 800 of them but they are all over the |
| Foundation and many other organizations around | | | | world. However, there are issues. Crowded, and in |
| the world. The U.S. military is considering adding | | | | some areas, unsanitary conditions are causes of |
| them to their issued rations. Omega3s have been | | | | numerous parasites and viruses. Administrators |
| shown to benefit four of the top five conditions | | | | use pesticides and antibiotics to fight these |
| for which troops receive hospital care. These | | | | problems but the fish absorb them and pass |
| would include: depression, post traumatic stress | | | | them on to us. Plus, because there is no natural |
| disorder, surgical issues and for female soldiers, | | | | food chain, many of these species have little |
| pregnancy. It is also believed that they speed | | | | omega 3 content in them. |
| recovery from traumatic brain injury. | | | | 4] Different experts put different numbers on |
| 2] Why salmon, you ask? They are rich in omega | | | | how much seafood we should eat. The most |
| 3s but so are mackerel, tuna, hoki and various | | | | generous estimate is twice a week. Others think |
| other predatory species. All fish absorb ocean | | | | that is too much - twice a month is what they |
| pollutants from the natural food chain and these | | | | have in mind. Whatever you choose, it is unlikely |
| can find their way into supplements. When people | | | | that you will get enough EPA and DHA from your |
| see Alaskan Salmon Omega3 on the bottle, they | | | | diet. |
| assume it is purer than some other product | | | | How do we solve this? |
| because there is less pollution off Alaska than the | | | | It does not matter where the DHA and EPA |
| in Pacific ocean. This is partly true. There is less | | | | originate. They are the same essential fatty acids |
| pollution near Alaska than say San Francisco, | | | | with the same chemical structure. Salmon |
| California. However, it does not matter. | | | | omega3 is just one option among many. My |
| Salmon are anadromous. They spend all or part of | | | | product uses hoki and tuna from the Southern |
| their adult life in salt water and return to | | | | ocean near New Zealand. I mention this because |
| freshwater streams and rivers to spawn. These | | | | this area really is isolated – less traffic equals |
| Alaskan species that I mentioned get around. | | | | less pollution. Just as importantly, the catches are |
| Traveling thousands of miles in the ocean is | | | | strictly regulated to make sure our grandchildren |
| normal during their adult lives. Then it is homeward | | | | will have the same health benefits as we do. |
| bound to fresh water to reproduce. | | | | My website can provide more information. |