Whole Food Fish Oil vs. Refined Fish Oil
One of the top arthritis supplements on the market and for good reason, fish oil has a stellar reputation for helping joints stay healthy and limber. However, not all fish oil supplements are created equal. Many fish oil supplements are refined, hyper-processed, and stripped of essential nutrients during the manufacturing process. In this article, we’ll explore: the benefits of whole food fish oil, how to tell the difference between whole food fish oil and refined, plus where to buy.
What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil is a form of oil derived from fatty fish like tuna, salmon, cod, and mackerel. This oil is rich in a special kind of fat called omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that are heart-healthy and essential for building and rebuilding lipid membranes. They also support healthy eyes, lungs, brains, and blood vessels.
Two of the fatty acids found in fish oil, Eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are especially good at soothing the inflammation associated with arthritis joint pain. In fact, one 2005 study found that fish oil provided arthritis pain relief at levels similar to NSAIDs, with a better safety profile for long-term use. In sufficient amounts, EPA and DHA can also help repair cell membranes that may have been damaged by oxidative stress and overuse.
Benefits of Fish Oil
The benefits of fish oil include:
- Arthritis pain relief
- Cardiovascular health
- Skin health
- Improved cognitive function
- Improved mood
- Weight management
- Protect eye health
- Fertility
Whole Food Fish Oil
Whole food fish oil is a minimally processed fish oil product which strives to keep all of the nutrients intact while removing harmful impurities and heavy metals which may be present in the fish. It’s well-known that consuming whole foods often delivers better nutrient absorption than taking supplements. Often, this is the case because the original food contains multiple vitamins, minerals, and compounds that work together to amplify digestion and absorption.
However, not all whole food fish oils are created equal. Some whole food fish oils are processed using a heat-based distillation process which can denature and destroy molecules and essential nutrients, including some omega-3’s. This is why it’s best to opt for whole food fish oils that use gentle processing methods like cold processing and preserve their nutrient profiles.
Refined Fish Oil
Refined fish oil supplements undergo additional processing to boost shelf life, purity, appearance, taste, and smell. These processes help remove pigments, oxidizing products, free fatty acids, and saturated fats. As a result, refined fish oil supplements tend to be more stable, less prone to oxidization, longer lasting, and less fishy in taste and odor. Some supplements also have added antioxidants, such as Vitamin E.
Unfortunately, with additional processing comes additional risk of nutrient loss. Plus, removing compounds in order to improve color, taste, and smell, may also remove helpful compounds that aid nutrient absorption. Refined fish oil supplements tend to be more palatable, less prone to clouding, and lighter in color.
Where to Buy High-Quality Fish Oil
Searching for a high-quality fish oil but don’t know where to look? Dr. Eric Snow’s Omega Power is a whole food fish oil packed with high-quality omega-3’s. To remove impurities, Omega Power uses a combination of gentle processing techniques, clay-filtering and cold processing, to keep essential nutrients intact. Buy it here in our shop.
