Fish Oil Tablets & Capsules

About Fish Oil Tablets & Capsules

Fish oil Supplements are some of the most popular health products today, available capsule and liquid form. Few supplement pack the nutritional importance of Omega 3 fish oils given the prevalence of deficiencies in these essential fatty acids.

It was reported in Nutrients in 2016 that the Omega 6 to 3 ratio of the Western diet is currently around 20:1. This means for every gram of Omega 3 that is consumed, 20 grams of Omega 6 are consumed. The needs of the human body are quite different however, and are believed to be closer to 2:1 or 1:1. Some scientists believe more Omega 3 than Omega 6 may even be ideal for a period of time in order to replenish the Omega 3 stores. This will help to “tip the scales” until the body’s fatty acid stores regain a better balance. Then a more balanced dietary fatty acid intake between Omega 6 and 3 could be adhered to, perhaps around the 1:2 ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6. 

The basic Omega 3 fatty acid is called Linolenic Acid, while the Omega 6 fatty acid is Linoleic Acid—an extra "n" can make all the difference! Both are referred to as essential fatty acids, which means our body cannot synthesize them and must take them in through diet or supplementation in order to maintain health. A large portion of our body is fat, such as the brain and every single cell membrane in the body. This is the outer membrane or coating of each cell that separates it from other cells and fluids, and maintains communication as well as atom/molecule transfer into and out of the cell.

When we eat Linolenic Acid and Linoleic Acid, some of these fats are converted by enzymatic reactions in the body into other fats. In the case of Linolenic acid (Omega 3), it can be converted to EPA and DHA. These specialised fats play crucial roles in our bodies, such as warding off inflammation and supporting brain health. However, our body’s ability to convert Linolenic acid to EPA and DHA is limited. As little as one per cent of ingested Linolenic acid ends up as DHA. And that is if we are consuming enough linolenic acid from our diet in the first place! For this reason, it can be a great idea to supplement with these Omega 3 fatty acids on a daily basis. 

Fish oils are a cost-effective way to keep your daily intake of EPA and DHA optimised. They and are safe and suitable for dogs and other pets, as well as children. Krill oil is also a great option, containing the EPA and DHA in phospholipid form, which differs to the triglyceride form found in fish oil. The phospholipid form may have increased bioavailability over standard fish oil, which may improve its delivery to the brain. Fish oil even has a triple strength now, allowing you to take one capsule instead of three, which is the best option for those who don't enjoy popping pills.

A literature review was published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases in 2018. The authors concluded, after an exhaustive review of all clinical trials since 1966, that there is a strong evidence base for the use fish oil supplements in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. They found a clinical and statistical correlation between supplementation and improvements in this form of inflammatory arthritis.