What is the big deal about Omega-3s?
Imagine one family of nutrients that supports the health of your brain, joints, heart, skin, eyes and more! Food containing omega-3 fatty acids, as well as supplements containing flaxseed oil and fish oil, are the best sources for key fatty acids that your body needs for support of physical, emotional, and mental health. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for heart health, and getting enough omega-3 oils early in life may even help reduce one’s risk of heart disease.
What should I look for in an omega-3 supplement?
While flaxseed oil and fish oils are both good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, the body needs to convert the omega-3s in flaxseed before they can be used. This makes fish oil the preferred source unless you are allergic to fish or are vegetarian. The two omega-3s that account for most of the health benefits are EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) so you need to ensure the oil you choose is a good source of both. Holista Omega-3 Extra Strength provides 300 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA in every softgel.
Is Omega-3 really good for the heart?
Yes. The EPA in fish oil can help lower cholesterol, but perhaps more importantly, it has an anti-inflammatory effect on the linings of the arteries of the heart. Coronary inflammation is considered as a central factor in development of heart disease. EPA also has a beneficial blood thinning effect that can reduce risk of blood clots. A chronic deficiency of EPA can increase one’s risk for stroke and inappropriate blood clotting that can be fatal. As we age, getting enough EPA is very important. Omega-3 fish oil capsules provide that support.
What does DHA do?
DHA is important for mental health and cellular and tissue development. Children should be given adequate fish oil supplements and even expectant mothers need omega-3s for DHA to support healthy fetal development. It has been found that DHA deficiency may contribute to depression and mood swings, and that supplementing with Omega-3s can improve mood, alertness and brain health. DHA is also a key constituent of the retinal and macular tissues in the eye.
What about the fishy smell and aftertaste?
Holista has addressed consumer concerns about fishy “burps” and odour by enteric coating its Omega-3 softgel capsules. This coating prevents excessive fish flavour or odour from escaping from the softgel, as it prevents the capsule from dissolving before it reaches the intestines.
Are there safety concerns with toxins in fish oil?
Not if you buy quality supplements like Holista’s Omega-3 products. Decades of clinical research confirm that fish oil supplements are safe and effective. In Canada we have very strict regulations and high standards for natural supplements, including fish oils. Holista fish oils are from the most trusted sources and undergo a superior purification and distillation process. This means any ingredient that Holista uses is tested for purity, identity, heavy metals, PCBs, pesticides, and other contaminants, in accordance with Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD). We also test all finished products and all potencies are verified. All Holista fish oil supplements conform to Health Canada purity standards, in fact these superior oils meet standards of purity much higher than those required by the NHPD. For example, typical test results for PCBs in Holista fish oils are 12 times lower than the limit set by Health Canada.
Holista has an extensive line of conventional and vegetarian Omega-3 essential fatty acids.