Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to human health. A diet rich in fresh sources of Omega 3 has been recommended by the American Heart Association. AHA also recommends supplementation of Omega 3, under doctor's advice, for people suffering from coronary artery disease and high triglycerides. Such claims from credible sources, like the AHA and FDA, have created an increasingly growing awareness of omega-3 health benefits with consumers, resulting in a rapidly growing market. Another reason for its continuing growth is that Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the body. We need to eat food sources rich in omega 3. This presents a challenge because Additional hints these nutrients are not in most of the foods we eat on a daily basis. The solution? Supplementation of Omega 3. Omega 3 supplementation is a fast growing market holding the maximum potential for nutraceutical manufacturers.
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High Quality Supplementation of Omega 3 is Important
It is important that your supplement manufacturer ensures the manufacturing of a high quality omega 3 product. Inferior quality fish oil capsules tend to get rancid, and can cause adverse health problems mainly due to the high levels of methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins. Pharmaceutical grade omega 3 is a term referred to fish oil which has been molecularly distilled or refined to make it free from impurities, thus making it fit for consumption. Molecular distillation kills bacteria and filters heavy metals to produce fish oil which is totally pure and safe. Fish oil supplements can be distilled to remove all contaminants if a manufacturer chooses to use the right process. A good fish oil supplement manufacturer will undergo this process to ensure the highest possible purity.
Things to Ask Your Supplement Manufacturer
How pure is the fish oil concentration?
The higher the purity, the higher the concentration of EPA and DHA. A high end distillation process will ensure a purity level of 90% or above. The ratio of EPA and DHA at 2:1 is the natural balance found in fish. This is the optimal ratio.
What preventive measures are taken to ensure that oxidation does not take place during manufacturing?
Next to purity of the fish oil, prevention of oxidation is the second most important step for producing high quality fish oil. Exposure to oxygen makes omega-3 fatty acids rancid. The fish oil should be strictly manufactured under nitrogen to preserve its potency. In general, the lower the peroxide value, the fresher the oil. The final product should contain a small amount of natural vitamin E for stabilization of the product.
Where does the fish come from?
Another important factor is the source of the fish. Farm-raised fish contain a higher percentage of toxins (PCBs) than those found in the wild. Because of industrial dumping of waste, marine life has been contaminated with chemical toxins. Fish feed for farm-raised fish consist of grounded fish containing higher concentrations of a variety of contaminants. Fish found wild in the purer waters of the Alaskan and Antarctic regions have less contaminants and only such fish should be used for making fish oil.
How does the manufacturer prevent a fishy flavor or fishy aftertaste?
Normally a high quality fish oil has a bright color, is odorless and tasteless. To further ensure that there is no fishy aftertaste, an enteric coating around the capsule delays digestion in the stomach. By promoting digestion in the smaller intestines the consumer does not experience "fishy" burps.
Does the manufacturer add flavor?
As an extra precaution against fishy flavor, the fish oil supplement manufacturer should add flavor for extra masking of odor and taste.
What is on the label?
Supplement manufacturers should show Supplement Facts clearly listing the amount of fish oil in milligrams, the amount of DHA and EPA, the type of fish used and the distillation process.
Is the manufacturer GMP certified?
GMP certified manufacturers follow strict standards of manufacturing practices.
There is a marked shift today from allopathic medicine to alternative medication especially herbal medicine. If you are among those who would prefer natural cures, there are plenty to choose from that would help you control and reverse anxiety symptoms. Herbal medication works on the system overall, unlike allopathic treatment, which only aims at correcting the diseases causing chemical imbalance in the body. The result is that though the cure is a little slower comparatively, the side effects are less pronounced.
Unfortunately, the FDA does not approve many of the herbal supplements though many are excellent products. This is one reason why some people hesitate to use herbal medication, though they are not comfortable with the traditional medicines prescribed for this condition. You would be heartened to know that following the extraordinary increase in the demand for herbal medication special organizations came into existence, which work on the same lines as FDA but limit themselves only to classify herbal products and supplements. Whenever you are tempted to buy anything related to herbs, it would be a good thing if you run a scan on the product through these agencies.
One other way to choose the best herbal products is to follow the popularity charts of the leading brands. Most of these companies offer excellent products yet do not go for the certification of any of the above organization simply because this does not cover all the aspects of the product. For example, the certification would look into the potency of the medicines, percentage of the herbs face to face to the claims on the labels, and they would look into the hygiene aspects of manufacturing and packaging.
However, none of the above really offers any guarantee or enlightenment on whether the product really works as per the claims made by the manufacturing company. Therefore, the major brands, which already enjoy the confidence of the masses and have a proven track, do not find it necessary to obtain the certification, which presently comes costly.
Many herbs work miracles with anxiety. I am bringing to your knowledge in the following few lines only a few of the most common ones. I am intentionally not providing dosages or methods of use, because I feel that anyone who wishes to use any type of medication should do so with the express advice and close monitoring of his or her medical practitioner. In case of herbal medicines, you would require to see a herbologist or a certified aurvedic practitioner. In most cases, you would have the choice of having your medicine specifically made for you, which is often a good option. However, if this does not appeal to you, you could always use the supplements and products available in the market.
It is important to note here that many herbal products use a combination of two or more of the herbs described below to boost the effect on the treatment of anxiety and depression. Attempting to have your own concoction at home, armed only with information from the Net can backfire terribly. For customized medicine, which is highly recommended, you need to take the assistance of qualified herbalists or ayurvedic doctors. Do not, under any circumstances, go for the trial and error method using your own self as a guinea pig. You might get worse before getting better, and you would definitely not profit from such an experience.