Mercury, PCB and Dioxin Toxins in Fish Oils

Previously, I have written about Fish Oils and how the toxins in them are of significant concern. (See the blog post Omega 3 Fish Oil Facts posted on 06/14/11). The specific toxins are Mercury, PCB's and Dixon. Most likely if you are like I am, you may or may not completely understand the role of these toxins on the body and why they are so critical.

Here are a few facts about these toxins and the role they play in the body. Sources are cited so that you can read the full story. Of course like anything else that you read, please do your own research and draw your own conclusions. This is not meant as medical advice but is stated here for informational purposes. Since I am not a scientist, I can only share what I have read and have no way to confirm if the following is 100% accurate.



MERCURY TOXIN (Source: www.tuberose.com/Mercury)
Mercury is associated with 258 different symptoms. The severe toxicity of methylmercury is attributed to its ability to pierce any cell membrane in the body and cross all barriers, even the placental and blood-brain barriers. After crossing these barriers, methylmercury is converted back into the highly destructive ionic form and destroys all cell components in its path. Methylmercury is credited with initiating degeneration and atrophy of the sensory cerebral cortex, paresthesia, (numbness and tingling), autism, behavioral and emotional aberations, as well as hearing and visual impairment.

In crossing the placenta, it can inhibit fetal brain development and bring on cerebral palsy or psychomotor retardation in the latter stages of development. Other symptoms of mercury toxicity include: anorexia, depression, fatigue, insomnia, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, moodiness, irritability, memory loss, nausea, diarrhea, gum disease, swollen glands, headaches, and many others. Mercury amalgams have set us up for most of the health problems we see today. Toxic metals interfere with the normal energy patterns in acupuncture channels, setting up interference patterns in the meridians. The body, in trying to protect itself against mercury, creates a problem of yeast infection.



PCB TOXIN (Source: livestrong.com/article )
For more than 50 years, PCBs were used for manufacturing. This is because PCBs are chemically stable, have a high boiling point, are non-flammable and are useful in electrical insulation. They were used to manufacture transformers, oil-based paint, caulking, plastics and floor finishes. The United States Environmental Protection Agency banned PCBs from manufacturing use in 1979. However, PCB-containing product remain in landfills. The chemicals can seep into the ground and into the algae fish eat. This can contribute to PCB levels in fish. They are considered to be especially dangerous because PCBs can cause cancer and adversely affect several systems in the body. For more information, check out the EPA.gov website on PCB.



DIOXIN TOXIN (Source: ejnet.org/dioxin )
In addition to cancer, exposure to dioxin can also cause severe reproductive and developmental problems (at levels 100 times lower than those associated with its cancer causing effects). Dioxin is well-known for its ability to damage the immune system and interfere with hormonal systems.

Dioxin exposure has been linked to birth defects, inability to maintain pregnancy, decreased fertility, reduced sperm counts, endometriosis, diabetes, learning disabilities, immune system suppression, lung problems, skin disorders, lowered testosterone levels and much more.



Legal Disclaimer: Always consult appropriate medical practitioners and be informed before taking any supplements.




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Blog Post & Images (c) 6/9/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
http://www.donshetterly.com

If any part of this post is used or shared, a link back to this site is required.
http://mindbodythoughts.blogspot.com/
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Omega 3 Fish Oil Facts

Fish Oils according to the Mayo Clinic website from multiple studies, there is evidence the recommended amounts of DHA and EPA in the form of fish oil supplements lowers triglycerides, reduces the risk of death, heart attack, dangerous abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes in people with known cardiovascular disease, slows the buildup of athersclerotic plaques and lowers blood pressure slightly.
(Source: MayoClinic.com)

For more information on about Fish Oils, check out my earlier blog post, Omega 3 Fish Oils (Posted January 27, 2010)

Some interesting information that I found from Total Health Nutrition Center was appropriate to share as it has helped me understand what to look for when it comes to buying Fish Oils and what the right dose is for me to take. I take Arctic Oils (OmegaPure 600 Enteric Coated).



What To Look For in Fish Oils? (Source: Total Health Nutrition Center)

The best fish oils are derived from small fish that are toxin free of Mercury, PCB's & Dioxins such as anchovies and sardines. Some of the cheaper fish oil in discount stores doesn't specify the source.

A few years ago a major manufacturer said their oils were obtained from Tuna, Swordfish or Shark which are big fish loaded with toxins. They stated that they followed government standards for cleaning fish oils of toxins but this government standard does not require the fish oils to be 100% toxin free.

Most of all the high quality fish oil in health food stores and the physician only market is toxin free. They are cleaned with molecular distillation. Do not be fooled by the fish oils that say there are low levels of detectable toxins or wording similar to that effect.

For more information on Mercury, PCB and Dioxin Toxins, read the blog post on 06/15/11)



What Is The Right Dose? (Source: Total Health Nutrition Center)

The right dose is referred to as 2,000 mg a day. So if you had 600 mg of EPA plus DHA in one pill, you would need almost 4 a day to be effective. Some of the products sold out there are 1000 or 1200 mg per gel.

Enteric coated gels (not soft gels) are rated to equal 3 gels of regular fish oils. This means you could take a 700 mg enteric coated pill and get the benefit of 2000 mg regular gels. This is due to the fact that the fish oils are delivered directly into the intestines for optimum digestion.



Are There Side Effects Or Interactions?
You may want to do a search on the internet or check out WebMD.com at the following webpage on Fish Oils.



Further Reading
Although the person that appears to have written this website does endorse one particular product, they do have some very good information on this page. I have no way to evaluate whether what this person is saying is true or not compared to all the other experts out there. I am just providing it for your reference and to present as many facts as I can on this subject. The webpage is omega3brief.com.





Whatever, you do, make sure you are taking the highest quality fish oils you can take. Trying to take the cheap discount pills may not be doing anything good for you. You need to research the product you are taking and make sure you are convinced it is the best thing for you. Anything less than that and you're wasting your time and money!



Legal Disclaimer: Sources are cited so that you can read the full story. Of course like anything else that you read, please do your own research and draw your own conclusions. This is not meant as medical advice but is stated here for informational purposes. Since I am not a scientist, I can only share what I have read and have no way to confirm if the following is 100% accurate. Always consult appropriate medical practitioners and be informed before taking any supplements.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blog Post & Images (c) 6/9/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
http://www.donshetterly.com

If any part of this post is used or shared, a link back to this site is required.
http://mindbodythoughts.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fish Oils Show Promise For Mental Illness

In an AP article published on CBSnews.com on Feb 1, 2010, "Fish Oil Shows Promise In Preventing Psychosis", "fish oil pills may be able to save some young people with signs of mental illness from descending into schizophrenia, according to a preliminary but first-of-its-kind study in Austria with 81 patients.

Though it may sound too good to be true, according to the article, one theory of what causes schizophrenia is the differance in how the body uses fatty acids and how fish oils address this. According to Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, Chairman of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center states that if it works, it will be an absolutely tremendous development.

Of course more research studies need to be conducted to verify the results of the Austrailia Study

To read the complete article: Fish Oil Shows Promise In Preventing Psychosis

Omega 3 Fish Oils

After my recent physical situation with a rash and itching, Dr. Canali had me start taking Omega 3 Fish Oils. The brand I take are Arctic Oils. Part of the situation I was facing after we addressed the psychological, emotional and nervous system issues was that my skin was not moisturizing itself. After taking these, I could tell the difference in my skin as it was not as dried out as it had been. I believe the fish oils really helped me recover from the rash and itching that was going on in addition to the other nervous system issues that we addressed. It was a dual approach that made a big difference for me.


GOOD FOR THE HEART

Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of — or who have — cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids decrease risk of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), which can lead to sudden death. Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease triglyceride levels, slow growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque, and lower blood pressure (slightly). American Heart Association

There is evidence from multiple studies supporting intake of recommended amounts of DHA and EPA in the form of dietary fish or fish oil supplements lowers triglycerides, reduces the risk of death, heart attack, dangerous abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes in people with known cardiovascular disease, slows the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques ("hardening of the arteries"), and lowers blood pressure slightly. - Mayo Clinic


JOINT PAIN, DEPRESSION, MIGRAINES, AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Omega 3 Oils give almost immediate relief from joint pain, migraines, depression, autoimmune diseases and many other conditions. And, by improving brain development and memory functioning, from conception through old age, certain Omega-3 oils also provide the perfect brain food. Omega-3.Us


GOOD FOR THE SKIN

Q: I’ve heard that fish oil supplements with their omega-3 fatty acids are good for the skin. Is that true?

A: Absolutely. Fish oil contains two main types of omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA keeps the brain functioning properly. And EPA greatly benefits skin by regulating oil production to boost hydration and prevent acne, and by delaying the skin’s aging process to stave off wrinkles. A 2005 study in the Journal of Lipid Research discovered that EPA can help block the release of the UV-induced enzymes that eat away at our collagen, causing lines and sagging skin. Because EPA is both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, it can protect against sun damage and help repair it. LivingHealth.com


WHAT ARE OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

Omega-3 fatty acids are a class of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids with the double bond in the third carbon position from the methyl terminal (hence the use of "3" in their description). Foods high in omega-3-fatty acids include salmon, halibut, sardines, albacore, trout, herring, walnut, flaxseed oil, and canola oil. Other foods that contain omega-3-fatty acids include shrimp, clams, light chunk tuna, catfish, cod, and spinach. MedicineNet


DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TYPES OF OMEGA 3'S

It's also important to know the differences between the types of omega-3s. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acids) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acids) are long-chain fatty acids with 20 and 22 carbon atoms respectively. ALAs (alpha-linoleic acids) are short-chain with 18 carbon atoms each. We find ALAs in flaxseed oil, and vegetarians often prefer it for their omega-3 needs. The only use of ALA is that it can be converted by our bodies into the other two kinds. However, the amount of it that gets converted is between 0.2% and 15% – hardly enough to make it worthwhile — and what doesn't get converted instead becomes inflammatory! For the best results, the EPAs and DHAs found in fish oil are the way to go. FishOilBlog.com


RISKS OF EPA AND DHA 3 FATTY ACIDS

In a letter published October 31, 2000,[58] the United States Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements noted that known or suspected risks of EPA and DHA n−3 fatty acids may include the possibility of:

--Increased bleeding if overused (normally over 3 grams per day) by a patient who is also taking aspirin or warfarin. However, this is disputed.

--Hemorrhagic stroke (only in case of very large doses).

--Reduced glycemic control among diabetics in the FDA 1991-1993 Scientific Review. Wikipedia.Org


LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Always consult appropriate medical practitioners and be informed before taking any supplements.