Vitamin/supp question

[fatty27]

I am trying to figure out my daily supp list. Got the protein/glutomine/creatine/mutli vit/BCAA's down, but when it comes to Omega 3's, zinc, magnesium, B6/12, etc I just get confused. Do I need to supplement all that? Am I really not getting enough from my diet? How can you tell is my question???

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/avacowan3.htm

Above is a link to a popular figure/bb girl. I was reading her list of supps and it seems redundent at times. A multi vit AND a zinc/mag supp AND a seperate zinc supp?!

Does anyone else take a multi vit and take a seperate supp for zinc/mag/b6 or B12 when the multi has that stuff in it?

I eat alot of flax, tuna, slamon everyday...not to much walnuts. Do I still need a Omega 3 supp?

Can everyone benefit from a joint support supp? for now, for the future?

Thanks!

[Erik]

I am trying to figure out my daily supp list. Got the protein/glutomine/creatine/mutli vit/BCAA's down, but when it comes to Omega 3's, zinc, magnesium, B6/12, etc I just get confused. Do I need to supplement all that? Am I really not getting enough from my diet? How can you tell is my question???

Do you have a good reason to take what you're choosing to take?

I ask specifically about the glutamine and BCAAs.

Omega 3s - yes, get a good fish oil supplement.

The rest (zinc, mag, B6, etc., etc.)? Not necessary in my opinion. A well balanced diet should have you covered. Even the multi is just an 'insurance policy' of sorts.



I eat alot of flax, tuna, slamon everyday...not to much walnuts. Do I still need a Omega 3 supp?


I'd say yes.

Most of what people take out there is not necessary, and they wouldn't be able to tell any difference if they were or were not taking it.

[Jen]

that's the secret!!! lots of supps!!! :dope: i been doing it all wrong!!

JK, listen to Erik.. stick to the basics, quality protein, multi v, fish oils

[fatty27]

Got it.

I will put Omega 3 supp. on my list then.

As for the question about Glut and BCAA, I love em' they do great things for my body now that I take them. You asked me this question before Erik, do you not agree with these 2 supps?

[Audrey]

As for the question about Glut and BCAA, I love em' they do great things for my body now that I take them.

What do you notice in your body when taking them?

Glutamine supplementation is pretty worthless for muscle retention and protein synthesis. It works great for stimualting protein synthesis in a test tube, but not so much with oral supplementation in healthy athletes. It also has positive results with cancer, trauma and burned patients. However, direct studies examining anabolism and muscle sparing when dieting found no effect of high dose glutamine.

Its effects on immune function and gut health are pretty well established though. However, most people involve in fitness/bodybuilding are not using it for this reason generally (thinking erroneously that it will help spare muscle).

As for BCAA's, if your diet includes enough high quality protein (which it should), you shouldn't need to supplement with them.

[Erik]

Got it.

I will put Omega 3 supp. on my list then.

As for the question about Glut and BCAA, I love em' they do great things for my body now that I take them. You asked me this question before Erik, do you not agree with these 2 supps?

No, I don't. I'll post more in a bit.

[Petro]

I totally agree with Erik on this one, most people take way to many supplements for no reason and end up at best wasting their money and at worst inadvertantly cause other health problems. All those supplements that you mentioned should be taken for specific reasons, not just haphazardly. I pretty much everyone should take fish oil and digestive enzymes (some exceptions here, aka: diabetics often shouldn't take fish oil, nor should it be taken when viral or immune system is low, ect) and after that it is a case by case issue

[Erik]

aka: diabetics often shouldn't take fish oil

Why's that?

I'm about to argue to the contrary, but I'll wait for your reasoning first.

[Petro]

Why's that?

I'm about to argue to the contrary, but I'll wait for your reasoning first.

Well notice I said often as in not absolute. Theoretically fish oil supplementation should be excellent for diabetics (prevention of heart disease, improve high cholesterol, triglyceride levels, blood vessel and platelet function and lower blood pressure, all of which diabetics are considered high risk for)

Several studies however have should an adverse effect on blood sugar control from high fish oil supplementation (4+grams) because the EPA is broken down by liver in a way that it is more easily availble for production of glucose.

Several studies (in type one specifically) have shown that some diabetics actually oxidize the fragile fish oil in a manner that creates free radical damage.

So, it is not that fish oil is a definite no for diabetics just something that I would watch on a case by case basis closer than others in the population

[Erik]

Several studies however have should an adverse effect on blood sugar control from high fish oil supplementation (4+grams) because the EPA is broken down by liver in a way that it is more easily availble for production of glucose.

Interesting. Is that repeated and conclusive?

Do you have a reference(s) I can look up?

ETA: Is that 4g combined fish oils (4 capsules for example) or 4g combined EPA and DHA?

[Erik]

Is this one of them?

Mostad IL, Bjerve KS and Bjorgaas MR et al. Effects of n-3 fatty acids in subjects with type 2 diabetes: reduction of insulin sensitivity and time-dependent alteration from carbohydrate to fat oxidation. : Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Sep;84(3):540-50. Erratum in: Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1668. (http://www.hubmed.org/display.cgi?uids=17327864)

[Petro]

Interesting. Is that repeated and conclusive?

Do you have a reference(s) I can look up?

ETA: Is that 4g combined fish oils (4 capsules for example) or 4g combined EPA and DHA?

Here is one

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/76/5/1007

I'll find some others just give me a bit

[Erik]

Here is one

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/76/5/1007

I'll find some others just give me a bit

Great thank you. I think maybe this one too ... but they are talking high doses of fish oils. Looks like over 13 capsules of a commercially available product.

Schectman G, Kaul S, Kassebah AH. Effect of fish oil concentrate on lipoprotein composition in NIDDM. Diabetes 1988; 37:1567-73.

[Erik]

Several studies (in type one specifically) have shown that some diabetics actually oxidize the fragile fish oil in a manner that creates free radical damage.


Is this something unique to diabetics? I know that fish oil is easily damaged by oxygen (and byproducts of oxidative metabolism is free radical production, not all of which is bad - P450 activity, etc.).

It's been suggested in some studies that adding Vitamin E will help reduce the incidence of oxidation. Have you come across that?

There's also at least one study that suggests that Vitamin E can counter the fish oil induced increase in serum glucose (just found this one :lol:)

I have some reading to do it appears.

[Petro]

Is this one of them?

Mostad IL, Bjerve KS and Bjorgaas MR et al. Effects of n-3 fatty acids in subjects with type 2 diabetes: reduction of insulin sensitivity and time-dependent alteration from carbohydrate to fat oxidation. : Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Sep;84(3):540-50. Erratum in: Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1668. (http://www.hubmed.org/display.cgi?uids=17327864)

This one does show the same conclusion, but doesn't look like a well controlled study


Great thank you. I think maybe this one too ... but they are talking high doses of fish oils. Looks like over 13 capsules of a commercially available product.

Schectman G, Kaul S, Kassebah AH. Effect of fish oil concentrate on lipoprotein composition in NIDDM. Diabetes 1988; 37:1567-73.

which is ridiculus, I think beyond just diabetes 13+ caps could cause some major issues in anyone, especially long term


Is this something unique to diabetics? I know that fish oil is easily damaged by oxygen (and byproducts of oxidative metabolism is free radical production, not all of which is bad - P450 activity, etc.).

It's been suggested in some studies that adding Vitamin E will help reduce the incidence of oxidation. Have you come across that?

There's also at least one study that suggests that Vitamin E can counter the fish oil induced increase in serum glucose (just found this one :lol:)

I have some reading to do it appears.

Diabetic have a higher tendency to oxidize all fatty acids, expecially if their blood sugars are out of control.

I have seen the studies about Vit E helping to reduce oxidation and I find them fairly convincing. Could you post the study about vit e countering increased serum glucose, I would love to see that one

oh yes....the reading is never ending my friend, I feel your pain!

[Erik]

Cool, thanks for the thoughts Laura.

Here is the study I was referencing:

Luostarinen R, Wallin R, Wibell L, et al. Vitamin E supplementation counteracts the fish oil-induced increase of blood glucose in humans. Nutr Res 1995; 15:953-68.

[Erik]

Here's the abstract:

Vitamin E supplementation counteracts the fish oil-induced increase of blood glucose in humans

Riitta Luostarinen MDa, Corresponding Author Contact Information, Rolf Wallin PhDa, Lars Wibell MD, PhDb and Tom Saldeen MD, PhDa

a From the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Uppsala, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 17, S-75237, Uppsala, Sweden
b the Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital S-75185, Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of extra vitamin E in fish oil on some variables of glucose and lipid metabolism and on fibrinolysis in mildly hypertriglyceridemic men. Twelve subjects were given 30 mL/d of an ordinary fish oil (5.4 g eicosapentaenoic acid and 3.2 g docosahexaenoic acid) stabilized with vitamin E (1.5 IU/g, FO) and the same fish oil supplemented with extra vitamin E (4.5 IU/g, FO+E) for 4 wk in a randomized double-blind cross-over study. Fasting blood glucose concentration was increased after the period on FO (by 10%, P < 0.05), but was not changed after FO+E. Serum insulin was not significantly changed after the period on FO, but it tended to increase after FO+E. Fasting insulin/glucose ratio was not changed after FO, but was significantly increased after FO+E (P < 0.05), indicating a more adequate pancreatic insulin response to glucose after FO+E. Serum triglycerides decreased during the period on FO and FO+E (by 43%, P < 0.001, and 41%, P < 0.001, respectively) and plasma lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations in five individuals with high Lp(a) levels (>270 mg/L) also decreased (by 22%, P < 0.05, and 16%, NS, respectively), with no significant differences between treatments. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity and antigen were significantly increased after both treatments. It is concluded that extra vitamin E counteracts the blood glucose increase that is often seen after fish oil intake.

[Trinity]

My Hubby and I take glutamine. But we take it more for immune funtion. Initially I had started taking it for the same reason as many, thinking it would help preserve muscle and anything along that line.

Over time I had noticed that while taking it, I hardly got sick. When we would stop taking it, for whatever reason, we both usually end up with a cold. I definitely like the added immune boost from taking it though. Clients usually come in to get their hair done whether they are sick or not so...I have to say it definitely helps on that end.

[fatty27]

My Hubby and I take glutamine. But we take it more for immune funtion. Initially I had started taking it for the same reason as many, thinking it would help preserve muscle and anything along that line.

Over time I had noticed that while taking it, I hardly got sick. When we would stop taking it, for whatever reason, we both usually end up with a cold. I definitely like the added immune boost from taking it though. Clients usually come in to get their hair done whether they are sick or not so...I have to say it definitely helps on that end.

I couldn't agree more.

[fatty27]

I totally agree with Erik on this one, most people take way to many supplements for no reason and end up at best wasting their money and at worst inadvertantly cause other health problems. All those supplements that you mentioned should be taken for specific reasons, not just haphazardly. I pretty much everyone should take fish oil and digestive enzymes (some exceptions here, aka: diabetics often shouldn't take fish oil, nor should it be taken when viral or immune system is low, ect) and after that it is a case by case issue

Oh! thanks for reminding me about that.....But I do have a question about digestive enzymes. Can a person with an uber fast metabolism benifit from them? Or is it pointless? Speaking for myself and/or people in general.

Supp I am thinking of getting:
multi (when I run out)
fish oil
B complex or B12 (not sure which)
joint repair supp (Prolab Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM)
Vit C

[Inatic]

WHy the digestives enzymes for everyone?

How does the fish oils affect immune compromised. I saw the references to diabetics and I dont mean them. I have hashimoto's autoimmune Thyroid disease.

[Trinity]

I'm not sure HOW fish oil can hamper the immune system. But my sister had made mention of this to me a while back. (She's a cardiac nurse and a very reliable source)

She was explaining to me that it's good to take it, but not to take too much of it because it will lower immune function. This is something she herself had just heard about.

[Mols]

WHy the digestives enzymes for everyone?

How does the fish oils affect immune compromised. I saw the references to diabetics and I dont mean them. I have hashimoto's autoimmune Thyroid disease.

cuz without them i have some seriously bad tummy issues.....my pancreas simply does NOT make the proper amounts, esp. if i have a large meal

[Inatic]

cuz without them i have some seriously bad tummy issues.....my pancreas simply does NOT make the proper amounts, esp. if i have a large meal

I can see individual need and certainly in your case. But not for everyone, hense why i asked for everyone?

As someone who does have an autoimmune issue and does take fish oils,(runs to knock on wood) i get sick the least (like once in 5yrs) of anyone i know. AND I work in a germ field (teaching 12 3yolds preschoolers during the school yr)

[Trinity]

I can see individual need and certainly in your case. But not for everyone, hense why i asked for everyone?

As someone who does have an autoimmune issue and does take fish oils,(runs to knock on wood) i get sick the least (like once in 5yrs) of anyone i know. AND I work in a germ field (teaching 12 3yolds preschoolers during the school yr)


From what I understand it's only if you take too much. I guess it would be more of an issue for the type of people that believe if a little is healthy...then a lot must be better.

[Erik]

I'm not sure HOW fish oil can hamper the immune system. But my sister had made mention of this to me a while back. (She's a cardiac nurse and a very reliable source)

I wouldn't mind a reference for that including what is deemed 'too much' (and not rat research) since there is plenty of published work suggesting fish oils improve and regulate immune function.

[Audrey]

I wouldn't mind a reference for that including what is deemed 'too much' (and not rat research) since there is plenty of published work suggesting fish oils improve and regulate immune function.

This study indicates that high amounts of fish oil depress immune function while low intakes are beneficial (although it is not precisely indicated what they consider too high of an intake):



Lipids. 2003 Apr;38(4):323-41. Related Articles, Links

Fatty acids, the immune response, and autoimmunity: a question of n-6 essentiality and the balance between n-6 and n-3.

Harbige LS.

School of Chemical and Life Sciences, University of Greenwich at Medway, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom. L.Harbige@gre.ac.uk

The essentiality of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is described in relation to a thymus/thymocyte accretion of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, AA) in early development, and the high requirement of lymphoid and other cells of the immune system for AA and linoleic acid (1 8:2n-6, LA) for membrane phospholipids. Low n-6 PUFA intakes enhance whereas high intakes decrease certain immune functions. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies for a role of AA metabolites in immune cell development and functions shows that they can limit or regulate cellular immune reactions and can induce deviation toward a T helper (Th)2-like immune response. In contrast to the effects of the oxidative metabolites of AA, the longer-chain n-6 PUFA produced by gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n-6, GLA) feeding decreases the Th2 cytokine and immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 antibody response. The n-6 PUFA, GLA, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3n-6, DHLA) and AA, and certain oxidative metabolites of AA can also induce T-regulatory cell activity, e.g., transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-producing T cells; GLA feeding studies also demonstrate reduced proinflammatory interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production. Low intakes of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (fish oils) enhance certain immune functions, whereas high intakes are inhibitory on a wide range of functions, e.g., antigen presentation, adhesion molecule expression, Th1 and Th2 responses, proinflammatory cytokine and eicosanoid production, and they induce lymphocyte apoptosis. Vitamin E has a demonstrable critical role in long-chain n-3 PUFA interactions with immune functions, often reversing the effects of fish oil. The effect of dietary fatty acids on animal autoimmune disease models depends on both the autoimmune model and the amount and type of fatty acids fed. Diets low in fat, essential fatty acid deficient (EFAD), or high in long-chain n-3 PUFA from fish oils increase survival and reduce disease severity in spontaneous autoantibody-mediated disease, whereas high-fat LA-rich diets increase disease severity. In experimentally induced T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, EFAD diets or diets supplemented with long-chain n-3 PUFA augment disease, whereas n-6 PUFA prevent or reduce the severity. In contrast, in both T cell- and antibody-mediated autoimmune disease, the desaturated/elongated metabolites of LA are protective. PUFA of both the n-6 and n-3 families are clinically useful in human autoimmune-inflammatory disorders, but the precise mechanisms by which these fatty acids exert their clinical effects are not well understood. Finally, the view that all n-6 PUFA are proinflammatory requires revision, in part, and their essential regulatory and developmental role in the immune system warrants appreciation.

[Trinity]

I wouldn't mind a reference for that including what is deemed 'too much' (and not rat research) since there is plenty of published work suggesting fish oils improve and regulate immune function.

I'll have to ask her where she had gotten the info from, I'm not sure off hand. I think her concern stems from my Mom, who is of the mind set that if a little is good...more is much better.

[Espi]

Re the digestive enzymes: you might speed up protein breakdown which can be interesting when it comes to a pre-workout meal.
Quite a few people I know are using whey hydrolisates as this is the protein that is absorbed the fastest. It tastes absolutely gross.
Another cheaper & tastier option would be to use extra digestive enzymes with a meal preceding a workout.

[Petro]

I wouldn't mind a reference for that including what is deemed 'too much' (and not rat research) since there is plenty of published work suggesting fish oils improve and regulate immune function.

a few more

Dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid, but not with
other long-chain n-3 or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, decreases
natural killer cell activity in healthy subjects aged >55 y.

Thies F, Nebe-von-Caron G, Powell JR, Yaqoob P, Newsholme EA, Calder
PC.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United
Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies showed that dietary flaxseed oil [rich in
the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)],
evening primrose oil [rich in the n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid
gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)], and fish oil [rich in the long-chain n-3
polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] can decrease natural killer (NK) cell
activity. There have been no studies of the effect on NK cell
activity of adding these oils to the diet of humans. OBJECTIVE: Our
objective was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with
oil blends rich in ALA, GLA, arachidonic acid (AA), DHA, or EPA plus
DHA (fish oil) on the NK cell activity of human peripheral blood
mononuclear cells. DESIGN: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-
blind, parallel study was conducted. Healthy subjects aged 55-75 y
consumed 9 capsules/d for 12 wk; the capsules contained placebo oil
(an 80:20 mix of palm and sunflower seed oils) or blends of placebo
oil and oils rich in ALA, GLA, AA, DHA, or EPA plus DHA. Subjects in
these groups consumed 2 g ALA, 770 mg GLA, 680 mg AA, 720 mg DHA, or
1 g EPA plus DHA (720 mg EPA + 280 mg DHA) daily, respectively. Total
fat intake from the capsules was 4 g/d. RESULTS: The fatty acid
composition of plasma phospholipids changed significantly in the GLA,
AA, DHA, and fish oil groups. NK cell activity was not significantly
affected by the placebo, ALA, GLA, AA, or DHA treatment. Fish oil
caused a significant reduction (mean decline: 48%) in NK cell
activity that was fully reversed by 4 wk after supplementation had
ceased. CONCLUSION: A moderate amount of EPA but not of other n-6 or
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can decrease NK cell activity in
healthy subjects.
--------------------------------------------------
Immune System Suppression:

EFA of both the w-3 and w-6 types inhibit our immune system--
especially human lymphocyte cell-mediated and the production and
activity of immune substances (Immunology 92:166, 1997). This
includes suppression of natural killer cells, the production of
immune substances known as cytokines (interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2,
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and also interferon-gamma
production. These immune functions are important for defending
ourselves from viruses, bacteria, and parasites, and cancer cells."
----------------------------------------------------------

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, membrane organization, T cells, and
antigen presentation.Shaikh SR, Edidin M.
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
saameshaikh@gmail.com

Dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs),
especially those of the n-3 class, has immunosuppressive effects on
both innate and adaptive immunity through various mechanisms. In this
review, we focus on the PUFA modulation of membrane architecture and
its consequent effects on both T cell responses and antigen
presentation. We first use data from in vitro and in vivo experiments
to make the case that the immunosuppressive effects of PUFAs begin
with membrane incorporation and modulation of lipid-protein lateral
organization. This in turn inhibits downstream signaling mediated by
T cell receptors and suppresses T cell activation and proliferation.
Next, we review evidence for PUFA-mediated alteration of major
histocompatibility complex class I and II surface expression and
antigen presentation. We propose that PUFAs influence the expression
of major histocompatibility complex by altering its conformation,
orientation, lateral organization, and trafficking, with consequences
for recognition by effector T cells. Finally, we present data from
model membrane studies to explain the physical principles that make
PUFA acyl chains unique in modifying membrane lateral organization
and protein function. An important concept to emerge from these
studies is that PUFA acyl chains and cholesterol molecules are
sterically incompatible. By applying this concept to the T cell
activation and signaling model, mechanisms emerge by which PUFAs can
modulate membrane lipid-protein lateral organization. Our data-based
models show that membrane modification of both effectors and targets
is an important, often overlooked, mechanism of immunomodulation by
PUFAs.
-------------------------------------------------
PMID: 17158407 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[fluteangel]

I have found out that taking Cod Liver Oil from the bottle is the best way to take fish oil. It's too risky with the caps. They can turn rancid easily and/or become oxidized with heat, plus fish oil is absorbed by the body so much easier.

Digestive enzymes help your body absorb more nutrients as they help your body digest your food. So you go from digesting maybe 15-20% t0 80-90%.

Having said that, I should count taking a tablespoon of fish oil a day into my macros, yes? Dumb question I know, but just to make sure...

[Petro]

I have found out that taking Cod Liver Oil from the bottle is the best way to take fish oil. It's too risky with the caps. They can turn rancid easily and/or become oxidized with heat, plus fish oil is absorbed by the body so much easier.

Digestive enzymes help your body absorb more nutrients as they help your body digest your food. So you go from digesting maybe 15-20% t0 80-90%.

Having said that, I should count taking a tablespoon of fish oil a day into my macros, yes? Dumb question I know, but just to make sure...

I'm not sure how you came to this conclusion but the opposite is true. Taking fish oil from caps is much safer because the oil is not exposed to oxygen as often....the more oxygen exposure the quicker the oil becomes rancid. Also, no matter how you take it all fish oil will become oxidized with heat and why would you be cooking it anyways

Further more there should be no difference at the rate which fish oil is absorbed by the body no matter if you take it by caps (which are made of gelatin and extremely easily broken down by the body) or from the bottle. the only reason that fish oil would not be absorbed well by the body is if the person does not make adequate pacreatic enzymes or produce enough bile or any other type of pathology that causes a decrease in fatty acid synthesis. These can normally all be accomodated for by the addition of digestive enzymes or bile salts to the diet and/or the addition of l-carintine supplementation

I agree digestive enzymes are a must for anyone

and yes you should count fish oil in your macros

[Inatic]

thanks Laura! :)

[RpH]

I'm not sure how you came to this conclusion but the opposite is true. Taking fish oil from caps is much safer because the oil is not exposed to oxygen as often....the more oxygen exposure the quicker the oil becomes rancid. Also, no matter how you take it all fish oil will become oxidized with heat and why would you be cooking it anyways

Further more there should be no difference at the rate which fish oil is absorbed by the body no matter if you take it by caps (which are made of gelatin and extremely easily broken down by the body) or from the bottle. the only reason that fish oil would not be absorbed well by the body is if the person does not make adequate pacreatic enzymes or produce enough bile or any other type of pathology that causes a decrease in fatty acid synthesis. These can normally all be accomodated for by the addition of digestive enzymes or bile salts to the diet and/or the addition of l-carintine supplementation

I agree digestive enzymes are a must for anyone

and yes you should count fish oil in your macros

You are correct, the difference would be minimal.

[Petro]

You are correct, the difference would be minimal.

I want to make the distinction between fish oil gelatin caps- which are easily digested and regular capsules which many people do have a hard time breaking down. Most encapsulated products I open and pour into my mouth...I also pop fish oils in my mouth and chew on the capsule but that is for no reason other than that I"m weird:ruloco:

[fluteangel]

I want to make the distinction between fish oil gelatin caps- which are easily digested and regular capsules which many people do have a hard time breaking down. Most encapsulated products I open and pour into my mouth...I also pop fish oils in my mouth and chew on the capsule but that is for no reason other than that I"m weird:ruloco:

HAHA! That's funny. :) I got the information from Dr. Asa Andrew, a doctor who practices natural medicine. I'll post later what is in his book, but he mentions it all the time on his radio show "Empowering Your Heath". You can download a free podcast of it if you're interested. I listen to it while I do my cardio. :)

[Inatic]

Most encapsulated products I open and pour into my mouth...I also pop fish oils in my mouth and chew on the capsule but that is for no reason other than that I"m weird:ruloco:

Lady(our puppy) loves to chew the fish oil capsules too :lol: I havent dared try lol

[Sohee]

I also pop fish oils in my mouth and chew on the capsule but that is for no reason other than that I"m weird:ruloco:

Now I'm curious.

[Inatic]

Now I'm curious.

we'll wait.

Go pop and chew one

:D

[Sohee]

we'll wait.

Go pop and chew one

:D

That was disgusting.

It was like there was an entire fish market in my mouth :barf: :barf: :barf:

Laura, you really do have weird taste buds :p

[Petro]

That was disgusting.

It was like there was an entire fish market in my mouth :barf: :barf: :barf:

Laura, you really do have weird taste buds :p

um...Sohee, I think it has already been established that I have issues on multiple levels:bugeyes:

[Noel Clark]

That was disgusting.

It was like there was an entire fish market in my mouth :barf: :barf: :barf:

Laura, you really do have weird taste buds :p

aww no way..you actually did it :sick: :ruloco:

[Petro]

aww no way..you actually did it :sick: :ruloco:

um...what are you trying to imply Noel? huh?

[Noel Clark]

um...what are you trying to imply Noel? huh?

Anyone that chews those suckers is :ruloco: and yes--that includes you.

:lol:

[Noel Clark]

by the way...how many mints do you have eat afterward to keep your friends :laughatyou:



:cardio:

[Sohee]

I can still taste it in my mouth :yucky: :yucky:

[Petro]

Anyone that chews those suckers is :ruloco: and yes--that includes you.

:lol:

I'm highly insulted!


by the way...how many mints do you have eat afterward to keep your friends :laughatyou:



:cardio:


I can still taste it in my mouth :yucky: :yucky:

Ok, what type of bad quality fish oils do you all eat...mine just taste like lemon.....you all are waaayyy over exaggerating on this one

[Cathie]

I can't even imagine how nasty that must be. My son was playing with one of my fish oil capsules one day and he broke it. Let me tell you, he smelled like fish all day even after washing his hands several times :sick:

[Sohee]

Ok, what type of bad quality fish oils do you all eat...mine just taste like lemon.....you all are waaayyy over exaggerating on this one

What kind of fish oils taste like lemon? :eh:

:ruloco:

[smuggie]

I once chewed a fish oil cap by accident while I was taking it. I thought I was gonna :puke:

[smuggie]

What kind of fish oils taste like lemon? :eh:

:ruloco:

There's a brand called Carlson's that does. It comes in unencapsulated form and I hear it's really good made into salad dressing.

[fluteangel]

I've got the liquid Nordic Naturals Spiced Apple flavor and I just take it by the TB full. Very easy and done. Definitely like it better than swallowing a handfull of capsules!

[Sohee]

There's a brand called Carlson's that does. It comes in unencapsulated form and I hear it's really good made into salad dressing.

:blink:

[Petro]

Yes I use Nordic Naturals which is imo the best fish oil on the market...a bit more expensive than other brands but well worth it because it is really good quality

I worry that some of your fish oils might be rancid and that is why they taste so bad. Here is a quick test

Put fish oil capsule in the freezer....leave over night...if liquid inside freezes it is rancid, if it doesnt it is still good

[Cathie]

Put fish oil capsule in the freezer....leave over night...if liquid inside freezes it is rancid, if it doesnt it is still good

I'm going to try that :cardio:

[Erik]

Yes I use Nordic Naturals which is imo the best fish oil on the market.

Based on?

[Inatic]

I worry that some of your fish oils might be rancid and that is why they taste so bad. Here is a quick test

Put fish oil capsule in the freezer....leave over night...if liquid inside freezes it is rancid, if it doesnt it is still good

but the oil in salmon freezes? Why would the fish oils too?

[Erik]

The quality is more determined by the manufacturer, as opposed to the retail company.

Ocean Nutrition is the world's largest fish oil manufacturer. They're also a "leading proponent of the Global Organization of EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED) monograph, which establishes strict quality standards for manufacturing marine-sourced Omega-3 fatty acids."

Their brand is MEG-3® - you'd look for their little label somewhere on the label of the brand you're buying. Even the Costco brand uses MEG-3®.

Read their site for all their QC information (MEG-3® is the only fish oil ingredient to achieve USP verification, thus setting the standard for quality.)

http://www.onc.ca/

[Petro]

Based on?

Source, manufacturing and freshness....

When choosing an oil you should evaluate the following
1) manufacturing process. How is the fish oil manufactured, and what are the manufacturing standards?
2) Smell. Does the fish oil smell fishy? If it smells fishy, the oil has most likely been exposed to oxygen and is becoming rancid.
3) Taste. Does the fish oil taste fishy? The freshest fish oils should not taste fishy.

Nordic Naturals oils are molecularly distilled, using an enzymatic process where any potential heavy metals and dioxins are removed. They also use third-party testing to ensure the complete absence of heavy metals and dioxins

Nordic Naturals works to ensure freshness so they minimize the time from catch to processing. Also they monitor freshness levels of the raw material using acidity levels. The standard acidity allowance is 1.0, Nordic Naturals does not allow more than 0.1

[Erik]

Source, manufacturing and freshness....


Sure ... but a statement as to them being the best ... requires a comparison to all other companies.

Unless you can show that they're the only company meeting that standard, they're potentially only ONE of the good companies.

:p

[Petro]

Sure ... but a statement as to them being the best ... requires a comparison to all other companies.

:p

I agree...and if you investigate other brands, especially those with a lower price point, I am sure you will that their process does not compare

[Erik]

I agree...and if you investigate other brands, especially those with a lower price point, I am sure you will that their process does not compare

Reference my Ocean Nutrition post - they're the world leader. Costco brand uses their brand. :shrug:

[Petro]

Reference my Ocean Nutrition post - they're the world leader. Costco brand uses their brand. :shrug:

I missed that post the first time.....all I said in my first post is that Nordic Naturals was the best In My Opinon I've tried alot of fish oils and Nordic Naturals is one of the only ones that doesn't repeat on my and that I actually enjoy taking

I'll look more at the Ocean Nutrition post later

[Erik]

:hehe:

I'm just giving you a hard time. :p

[Petro]

:hehe:

I'm just giving you a hard time. :p

I know....:chairshot: and I'm already on the edge man :bugeyes: you have no mercy

[Inatic]

LOL

Ya'll play nice.

tasted my fish oil VERY light fishy taste if anything when chewed. Claims to be mercury free

Is consumer labs worth it? http://www.consumerlab.com/