Carlson's v. Metagenics

[Guest guest]

In 5g of Carlson's Cod Liver Oil, you get 550mg of DHA and 500mg of

EPA. Carlson's makes no purity claims. To insure freshness of Carlson

Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, the air inside the glass bottle has been

replaced with nitrogen.

In an equivalent amount of Metagenics EPA-DHA Complex, you get 900mg of

DHA and 600mg of EPA. Unlike some other fish oil supplements, EPA-DHA

Complex is cholesterol-free and assayed for peroxides and environmental

contamination to ensure quality and purity. Natural source vitamin E is

added to help guard against oxidation and to maintain freshness.

Of course, this just means that you'll have to take more of the cod oil,

which means a greater exposure to potential toxins.

Which do you think is a better product? My advice is to stick to

regular flax oil and eating wild, fresh, deep-sea fish. It's so yummy

anyway! See the article below for further concerns. A lot of Dr.

Mercola's advice is not nearly as well-researched as he would have us

believe. He keeps several unlicensable naturopaths on his staff (BAD).

I find that a lot of the advice is good, but a good measure of it is not

so good. It's best to check up on him.

Cheers,

Omega-3 supplements may fall short of label claims

(Reuters Health) - Some fish oil supplements contain less omega-3 fatty

acids than their labels claim, a new study shows.

ConsumerLab.com, a commercial testing company in White Plains, New York,

conducted the study, released this month. For a fee, the company

licenses its flask-shaped " Seal of Approved Quality " to companies whose

products pass testing.

" The good news is that these fish oil supplements did not appear to pose

a risk of mercury poisoning--a risk that can be very real when routinely

consuming certain fish, such as swordfish and shark, " said Dr. Tod

man, ConsumerLab.com's president, in a prepared statement from the

company.

" The bad news is that a number of products had significantly less DHA

and/or EPA than claimed, " he added.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acids) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are fatty

acids, also known as omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and fish oil.

Many people take dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids

because evidence suggests they can lower heart disease risk. According

to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), evidence that these fatty

acids can reduce heart and blood vessel disease risk is " suggestive, but

not conclusive. "

ConsumerLab.com purchased 20 dietary supplements and tested their levels

of EPA and DHA. Six of the products contained only 50% to 80% of the

amount of DHA listed on their labels, according to man. Two of the

dietary supplements contained 32% and 82%, respectively, of the amount

of EPA listed on their labels.

The lower levels of the fatty acids found in the products " could

certainly reduce the effectiveness of products, " man said.

Consumers will spend $15.7 billion this year on herbal and dietary

supplements, experts estimate. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and

Education Act of 1994, supplement manufacturers are required to have in

their files substantiation of any claims they make about how a product

affects the structure or function of the body. They must also notify the

FDA of claims that they are making within 30 days of marketing a given

dietary supplement.

However, the FDA does not regulate ingredients in supplements or dosage

levels.

Posted on February 12, 2002

On Saturday, May 11, 2002, at 08:49 AM, Jannette McKoy-Abel wrote:

> Interesting article, but not as accurate as it could be.

> " A high quality EPA/DHA supplement will provide oil from the flesh (not

> liver) of deep sea, cold water fish such as salmon and tuna, and will

> have

> the EPA and DHA content listed on the label. Cod Liver Oil, while rich

> in

> Vitamins A and D, is a poor source of EPA and DHA. "

> The last sentence is wrong by every other account/study I've read on

> Omega-3. As I checked my bottle of Carlson's Cod Liver Oil, 1 teaspoon

> contains 3 times the amount of EPA and DHA of the equivalent amount in

> the

> Wild Salmon Oil (capsules) that we use in the summertime. Where did the

> EPA/DHA come from, if not the liver?  I believe the writer

> misunderstood the

> reference information. The main caution regarding Cod Liver Oil has been

> regarding mercury contamination, as mercury concentrates in the liver;

> thereby creating a danger if oil from the fish liver is utilized.

> Just my 2c

> Jannette

[Guest guest]

The " Metagenics " brand sounds good. Actually, Dr Mercola did not recommend

the " Carlsons " brand, I got that from either " Protien Power " or " The Omega

Plan " ; which one escapes me right now. Dr Mercola recommends Costco's

" Kirkland " brand, which he states has a high turnover, and retails for $8.00

for 300 capsules.

I read a lot, and the only writings I take at face value, without checking

up are those of Dr. D's! If it's a new concept to me, it has to appear in

other non-related documents, or I can collaborate any references, before its

a " fact " to me. I accepted Dr D's writings because my BODY told me that

this was the answer for my poor health, despite following a " healthy "

semi-vegetarian diet for 25 years!

Your comment about Dr Mercols's " unlicensable " naturapaths sounds

intrieging; particularly because my cousin (who has severe sarcoidosis)and I

(we live in NY), have been toying with the idea of taking a trip to Chicago

to see Dr Mercola (we have family there who think we owe them a visit,

:-) ). If you would like to respond privately with more on this topic,

please email me at jema1@... ; I would love to hear more. The

delay actually has been because my insurance will not pay (out of network),

and the $2,000.00+ out of pocket, on Disability is a bit steeep to do

lightly.

" In an equivalent amount of Metagenics EPA-DHA Complex, you get 900mg of

DHA and 600mg of EPA. .......... A lot of Dr. Mercola's advice is not nearly

as well-researched as he would have us believe. He keeps several

unlicensable naturopaths on his staff (BAD). "

Regarding CLO/Fish oil vs Flaxseed oil, research indicates that if you are

in poor health, and especially if you are insulin resistant, your body is

unable to convert the flaxseed Omega-3(ALA) to the EPA/DHA, that your body

can use. As a result, you will not reap the benefits of the flaxseed oil.

I myself EAT flaxseed/oil, but SUPPLEMENT with CLO/fish oil, depending on

the weather. I do fish oil in late spring to early fall to prevent Vitamin

D overdose! I try to eat lots of fish also; hubby is a " B " , and in my

2/3rds " B " family, seafood is king!

" Which do you think is a better product? My advice is to stick to

regular flax oil and eating wild, fresh, deep-sea fish. It's so yummy

anyway! "

Eagerly awaiting your response,

Jannette