Fish oils (again)

[Alicrmt]

Okay, I've read everything I can find on here re: fish oils but I still have questions:

I understand they are important but WHY? Just cuz they are a good fat and it takes fat to burn fat?

Also, I hear lots of people saying "take my 6 fish oil caps daily" :scratch: Where does the number 6 come from? Does the amount you take not depend on your size?

Should they be spaced throughout the day or can you just take them all at once?

[donnajo]

Good question. :popcorn:

[Alicrmt]

Good question. :popcorn:

:grumble: damn I thought you had an answer :lol:

I also need to know how many calories this is :unsure: I'm googling but I'm getting so confused :oops:

Can you tell I'm trying to plan a diet :oops:

[donnajo]

:grumble: damn I thought you had an answer :lol:

I also need to know how many calories this is :unsure: I'm googling but I'm getting so confused :oops:

Can you tell I'm trying to plan a diet :oops:

It gives the calories on the bottle they come in.

[Alicrmt]

It gives the calories on the bottle they come in.

Well they should basically be the same then, shouldn't they? I mean, if you are supposed to take 6 that's fine, but I guess a better question than calories is what is a standard dosage? Because I don't wanna be wasting like, 400 calories on fish oils or anything :ban:

:grumble: now I have to go down to the kitchen to get the bottle

[Noel Clark]

6-9 is recommended
They are actually good for many many many reasons.
decrease in age-related memory loss and cognitive function impairment
preventing depression
helps with your heart: stroke, heart attacks, clogging of arteries, blood clotting, and blood pressure
Can help reduce inflammation
there are studies on it helping with certain cancers

Kids also reap a lot of benefits with it as well:brain development, prevention of asthma, or other breathing issues.

there are more..just aren't popping in my head at the moment.:D

[Alicrmt]

Okay BOTH bottles I have say that each softgel contains 1000mg fish oil blend and that you should take 2 softgels 1-3X daily with meals.

But it doesn't give the calorie content on either bottle :scratch: I have to add these into my total, right? :unsure:

[Noel Clark]

Okay BOTH bottles I have say that each softgel contains 1000mg fish oil blend and that you should take 2 softgels 1-3X daily with meals.

But it doesn't give the calorie content on either bottle :scratch: I have to add these into my total, right? :unsure:

:ban:

that is the RDA...:gay:

Yes, you add them to your totals of the day. They are 1g of fat each. :D

Right now I am taking 9 a day :D

I take them about 3 at a time...3g 27 calories

[Alicrmt]

Thanks Noel :grin:

So how do I decide whether to take 6 or 9 :unsure:

[Erik]

:ban:

that is the RDA...:gay:

Yes, you add them to your totals of the day. They are 1g of fat each. :D

Right now I am taking 9 a day :D

I take them about 3 at a time...3g 27 calories

RDA? For fish oils?

[donnajo]

How much should you take? And with anything is taking too much could be potentially bad? What is the right amount and why?

[Inatic]

6-9 is recommended
They are actually good for many many many reasons.
decrease in age-related memory loss and cognitive function impairment
preventing depression
helps with your heart: stroke, heart attacks, clogging of arteries, blood clotting, and blood pressure
Can help reduce inflammation
there are studies on it helping with certain cancers

Kids also reap a lot of benefits with it as well:brain development, prevention of asthma, or other breathing issues.

there are more..just aren't popping in my head at the moment.:D

this site has interesting info too.
http://www.oilofpisces.com/

[Dane]

As far as dosage, you have to check your label. The standard pill offers 180mgEPA/120mgDHA per capsule. There are concentrated ones out there that will offer more--for example, the one I take has 400mgEPA/200mgDHA per capsule. So to get 1g from the standard pill, you'd have to take 4; to get 1g from mine, you'd take 2.

For most benefits, 1g of the active ingredient (EPA/DHA) is sufficient; some research shows 2.5-3g even better. For trying to bring down inflammatory conditions, like arthritis, high doses (like 5-10g EPA/DHA) is used, but be careful if you go that high that you use a pharmaceutical grade fish oil so you avoid contaminants.

EPA and DHA are omega 3 fatty acids, essential for life. You need them in addition to omega 6's and 9's. However, most people get plenty of 6's and 9's from vegetable oils, etc.--in our modern times, most people are getting too much of the 6 and 9's and not enough 3's. So that's why you supplement with 3's.

Incidentally, some people use flax oil to get 3's--this is not the best use of your fat dollar, because the active ingredient is ALA which has to get converted to EPA and then DHA. Better to just get the EPA/DHA straight from the fish oil capsule.

Some people also like to take primrose and borage oil for 6's, but this isn't really necessary (see point above about people getting too much).


Does the amount you take not depend on your size?No--none of the research I've seen breaks it up according to size.


Should they be spaced throughout the day or can you just take them all at once?Doesn't matter. I take mine all at once, at bedtime. I do that because I sometimes get fish burps, and if I take them at night, I sleep thru any nastiness.

Incidentally, I don't count them in my macros. They are something I take all the time, dieting or not, like a vitamin, so it's a consistent thing. I don't count the carbs in my vitamins, either. YMMV. :)

[Ana]

YMMV?

[Dane]

Your Mileage May Vary. Internet dork speak for "what works for me might not work for you". :) Some people, esp. those on a very tight cal budget, might want to count fish oil cals, and I'm not knocking that.

[Alicrmt]

Thank you Dane...

I still don't understand how a person Ana's size should take the same amt as someone my size :scratch: I don't get that :shrug: But I guess I wont question it....

[donnajo]

Thank you Dane...

I still don't understand how a person Ana's size should take the same amt as someone my size :scratch: I don't get that :shrug: But I guess I wont question it....
:yeahthat: Why does it not matter on size?

Also, does it matter what brand you use? Are there better ones than others? Do some contain less contaminants? Would it be better to spend more on these? I buy the big ole Sam's Bottle.

[Noel Clark]

RDA? For fish oils?

:oops:

Mispoke...meant to say Suggested

They have to give an amount or suggested amount to take.
Also keep in mind that they (the producers of the Fish oil) have no idea what the rest of your diet consists of.

[Ali]

So, how come people that don't take fish oils or some form of Omega 3's don't die if it is essential for life? They get trace amounts in other foods? Because I never took fish oil until a couple years ago.

(I know the person is not going to die...but what actually happens?)

[donnajo]

So, how come people that don't take fish oils or some form of Omega 3's don't die if it is essential for life? They get trace amounts in other foods? Because I never took fish oil until a couple years ago.

(I know the person is not going to die...but what actually happens?)

You don't get fish burps. :shrug: :lol:

I think they are fine. But the more healthy practices you incorporate is better for your body in the long run.

[mackie]

Okay BOTH bottles I have say that each softgel contains 1000mg fish oil blend...
But it doesn't give the calorie content on either bottle :scratch:
Mine are 1000mg each (of salmon oil) and it says they have 10 calories each.