The world's first vegetarian OMEGA 3, EPA & DHA supplement

Safety Issues / Dangers with Fish Oils

Fish-origin verses Plant origin PUFAs

Besides the type and source of omega-3 fatty acids, lately there have been concerns over the risks of consuming fish-origin versus plant-origin PUFAs. Some types of fish contain high levels of mercury, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxins and other environmental contaminants. Some species of fish may contain significant levels of methylmercury, considered one of the more dangerous food contaminants today. In general, older, larger predatory fish and marine mammals, such as swordfish and seals, tend to contain the highest levels of these contaminants.2 PCBs and methylmercury are believed to have long half-lives in the body and can accumulate in people who consume contaminated fish on a frequent basis. In the case of PCBs, it is recommended that consumers reduce their exposure to these contaminants by removing the fat from the fish before cooking them; however, methylmercury represents a more serious problem because it is distributed throughout skin, muscle and organs of the fish.

The Food and Drug Administration regulates the safety of all commercial fish, including ocean-caught, farm-raised and imported fish. One example is the recommendation for pregnant women and nursing mothers to limit their consumption of sport-caught fish to one 6oz meal per week.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that young children consume less than 2oz of sport-caught fish per week.

Omega-3 fatty acids of plant origin are considered safer from the point of view of contaminants. However, oils like flaxseed in high doses (>30g/day) have been reported to cause loose stools or diarrhoea. Allergic anaphylactic reactions have been reported with flaxseed and flaxseed oil ingestion. Also, serious complications can occur if omega-3s are taken with anticoagulant medications or antihypertensive agents.

For the full article, clink on the link below
http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/Marine_vs_Veggie_Omega-3.html

Cod Liver Oil in Cancer Scare

[From the Times (United Kingdom) March 2006]

"Thousands of packs of cod liver oil and other supplements have been withdrawn from shops after high levels of cancer - causing dioxins were found in them (Valerie Elliott writes). Routine tests on Seven Seas high and extra-strength cod liver oil capsules found dioxin levels of 2.7mcg per kg. Other joint-care and concentration-enhancing capsules were also contaminated. Seven Seas blamed Incromega an ingredient supplied by another company.

"The Food Standards Agency said that dioxins were common in the environment but Alan Boobis, professor of biochemical pharmacology at Imperial College, London, who sits on government's Committee on Toxicity, said that high intake over a long period could affect pregnant women and their babies."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-2086713,00.html