Lois Smithers asked:


Europe and all our neighbors on the other side of the pond have been well aware for decades, perhaps centuries, making fish an every day staple was keeping them a lot healthier. As American researchers began to catch up about five years ago, and doctors began telling their patients to take Omega 3, fish oil supplements sprang up on shelves from Walgreens to Costco. As we perused the shelves, often grabbing the first one thinking they were all equal, for the best price of course (I love those good deals, too), took them home feeling proud we took an active role in our health.

I tried so many knowing it would help with painful inflammation, bring blood pressure down, lower cholesterol, recommended by the American Heart Association for a healthier heart, the list of why we ought to take fish oil is endless. But the indigestion from every one was more than I could bear and benefits not coming through. I would ask my doctor which one, what brand and he said he didn’t know, just take one daily.

I tried all priced fish oil, from inexpensive to most expensive, until one day a capsule got squashed on my kitchen counter and the odor had me fleeing the kitchen. The smell was so overpowering, determined to get to the truth and my search began in earnest.

I looked at labels on the bottles in my cabinet. I had blended fish oil, cod liver oil, EFA blend capsules, balanced essential fatty acids, and as I began to research, soon realized the source of fish was the most important. It had to be a fatty fish and if it wasn’t fatty, specifically, salmon, sardines, tuna or mackerel, it wasn’t going to help. Neither blended, cod nor white fish fit the bill. Cod is a lean fish, blended is just that, a mixture. While all those fish are good for us, it is the EPA and DHA from fatty fish that hold healing properties we are looking for. And that is today’s textbook science.

Then I began to ask those manufacturers about their fish source, lab and purification process. A few I reached by phone, and in some cases, no one replied. Of those who did respond, much to my chagrin, replies were a bit nebulous. Most contracted out to fish oil suppliers from a number of different sources. Yet their labels said, “pharmaceutically licensed laboratory.” Licensed where? Somewhere in Europe was the most often heard reply.

Well here’s what I learned. If that fish oil was truly distilled in a pharmaceutical grade lab, using a molecular distillation process there wouldn’t be an odor causing you to run from the kitchen or suffer indigestion. Remember the capsule that squashed on my kitchen counter? It specifically said “distilled in a pharmaceutical grade laboratory.”

I was on an airplane the other day and of all things, sat down next to a fellow I graduated high school with 38 years ago and hadn’t seen since. With a long ride to Dallas, we talked about our lives, health, and learned he just had a quadruple bypass.

As our conversation turned to fish oil, he said his wife was a trauma room physician and he was presently taking the new prescription fish oil, OMACOR®, prescribed by his cardiologist. He took out a capsule; we pricked it, and had to flush it down the plane lavatory. He had been complaining of indigestion every time he swallowed one and was told in a few weeks he’d get used to it.

Check, check and re-check the source of your fish oil. Prick it! If it has any odor whatsoever, throw it out for it has not been properly purified. There are miraculous healing benefits to be had but remember, all fish are not created equal nor are all purification processes what they say they are. Seems everyone has rushed in jumping on this band wagon creating fish oil supplements with few passing the prick test. But rest assured, there are some great ones out there.

Jay Jacovitz asked:


The fatty acids found in fish oil are necessary for the normal function of various systems of the human, dog’s and cat’s body. Our pets can suffer from some of the same poor health conditions as humans. It’s one thing to give a dog or cat food that will allow them to grow and stay alive. However, like with humans, it’s quite another to find the perfect balance to improve immune function, cognition, behavior and prevent cancer. Fish oil for our dogs and pets has many benefits.

Dogs and cats need both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for optimal health. Studies find omega-3 in fish oil may improve cognitive function in older dogs. The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that dogs with heart failure had lower levels of EPA and DHA than their healthy counterparts. Those are two of the major benefits of fish oil that can be given to our dogs and cats.

Dogs given fish oil that are prone to thromboembolisms (obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its main branches) may be helped by the anti-clotting effect on platelets.

Ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal rapid heart rhythms originating in the lower chambers of the heart) have been prevented and high blood pressure has been reduced in dogs supplemented with fish oil rich in omega-3.

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) may be useful in reducing inflammation associated with arthritis. Ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and glomerular disease (kidney disease) may respond to the anti-inflammatory effects of certain fatty acids, which have also been shown to be renal protective.

Omega-3 fish oil can benefit dogs by slowing the growth of malassezia, a yeast infection on the skin and ears in both dogs and cats. Researchers suggest that fish oil supplements for dogs may prevent atopy (allergies to inhaled substances such as pollens and molds).

Fish oil for dogs and cats has been shown to reduce the itchiness, redness, swelling and hair loss associated with those dry, raw, hairless patches that bother our pets. In some animals, fatty acids alone can decrease pruritus or inflammation to an acceptable level.

The choice of a fatty acid supplement needs to be based on the specific problem or condition we are trying to treat. For dry skin, dull coat hair, seborrhea and other keratinization, supplements high in linoleic acid are recommended. For allergies and inflammations, supplements high in EPA, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) are most effective.

Deficiencies in fatty acids occur for many reasons including overcooking that destroys them. Improper storage or less than optimal amounts of antioxidants in dry food may result in rancidity and a subsequent deficiency in fatty acids. Deficiencies also result from disease where certain enzyme functions are deficient; or by the use of fat-restricted diets in overweight dogs. But, fat is needed for energy and to satiate the dog’s appetite.

Fats do not affect canines like they do us when it comes to cholesterol or heart disease. Fat is indeed necessary for good dog nutrition and is important for energy, skin and coat, kidney health, heart and to keep inflammation at bay in the joints.

If we are looking to buy and do the best by our pets, the optimum source for omega-3s is what we want to know. Research is trying to determine the optimal ratios of omega-6 to omega-3. Current recommendations are for ratios of 10:1 to 5:1. The ratios are a guideline; the important EPA and DHA omega-3 essential fatty acids are plentiful in salmon fish oil for your dog or cat. There is no more natural place to get them than salmon. Cod liver oil is quite different, as it is lower in omega-3 and very high in vitamins A and D. Unlike plant based omega-3 supplements, salmon fish oil is readily processed by the dog’s digestive system.

A daily supplement of salmon fish oil is a must for any cat or dog of any age with skin or coat problems caused by allergies. Giving fish oil to a dog or cat fortifies them with antioxidants and traces of vitamins that occur naturally in salmon. Actual concentration of EPA in omega-3 is what’s most important. It is recommended that therapeutic trials with supplements should last 9-12 weeks.

Some pets may develop diarrhea from fatty acid supplements. Often, starting supplementation at a low dose and gradually working up to the therapeutic dose alleviates the problem.