Dioxins and PCBs in the food chain. Are fish oil supplements safe to eat?

Question

Cod liver oil, etc. Contaminants concentrate in the liver, I think? Is that right? Has anyone done research on this?

Answer 1

Essential Fatty Acids are oil like substances found in fish oils and also in certain vegetable oils such as canola and flax seed oil. They are known as Omega 3. Omega 6, and Omega 9 oils. They are called essential because they are necessary to the human body functioning, and the human body cannot make these substances. (In the same way, essential amino acids are those that we cannot manufacture in our bodies and must obtain from food, other amino acids are just as important but we can make them in our own bodies.) In the usual modern American diet, it is very difficult to get sufficient EFA's from one's food alone. One of the first signs of lack of EFA's in one's diet is a craving for oily or fatty foods. This craving is often addressed by eating fatty junk foods such as chips or fries, leading to the paradoxical situation of being overweight while malnourished. The following link gives some of the other uses in the body of EFA's, health problems associated with EFA deficiency, and also mentions that, while vegetable oils are also a good source of EFA's, the human body seems to need the elements in fish oils as well, for optimum functioning. According to the link that follows, the main problem with fish oils is that they may carry heavy metal contaminants, and, to avoid this, one should get a good brand that has been molecularly distilled. In addition, one should use fish body oils rather than fish liver oils, as the liver does concentrate contaminants. (Also it is possible to get toxic levels of vitamin A by using liver extracts.) The link also suggests certain brands.
http://www.supplementnews.org/fish-oil/index.htm
see also
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgibin/stories.plACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-13-2004/0002209402&EDATE=
According to that article, molecular distillation removes PCB's and dioxins as well.
PCB's, dioxins etc, are large carbon chain molecules resembling fats and protiens except that the carbons are bonded to chlorine rather than hydrogen and oxygen. Some people say, the remedy for that is to eat plant based EFA supplements such as flax and canola oil, but these could also pick up contaminants from the soil and from fertilizers and pesticides that are used in modern agriculture. So you'd still want to get oils that have been produced by molecular distillation.
If you click on this link, http://www.leiner.com/LEN_OurProducts/ProductDescriptions/index.asp
and also
http://www.leiner.com/LEN_OurProducts/ProductDescriptions/index.asp?isLeinerBrand=0&ProductTypeID=2
then the links under heart health, you can see brand names of fish oils, flax oils, and omega complexes (containing the full compliment of Omega 3, 6, and 9) that have been made by molecular distillation. Many of these are also availabe in store brand names as you'll see on http://www.leiner.com/LEN_OurProducts/ProductDescriptions/index.asp?isLeinerBrand=0&ProductTypeID=2
(I had to edit this message a few times to get the links to work)
To avoid the unpleasant "fish burp" and other digestive upsets that often comes with taking EFA supplements, you may get an enteric coat capsule, and/or take the supplement in the evening along with a light complex carb snack (such as fruit or whole grain bread), an hour or two before going to bed. (Some people avoid digestive discomfort by dividing the intake into several small doses during the day, but taking it in the evening works better for me and others I know who use EFA supplements.)
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid
This wikipedia article is a bit technical, but worth reading or at least skimming. Under the heading "health risks" you can read why one should not exceed the recommended dose of 2000 - 3000 mg daily. Toward the bottom this article confirms that molecular distillation is the best processing method. Some other sources suggest that other processing methods such as carbon filtration may be just as good, but from what I've seen, I'd stick with those processed by molecular distillation. Read the fine print on the label, or stick with the brands mentioned in the links above.

Answer 2

It is a concern. Leading supplement companies now offer flax or hemp oil as an alternative for that reason.

Answer 3

well, i can not answer ur question as u want. but i can tell this as student of biology.

it is better to use natural products, because scientist do lots of wrongs and after that time will show that they were in wrong.

if any products in body increase it could hurt our body, even
water or oxigene around us. and it will be like a poison for body.

i advice to dont trust any thing that scientist tell, unless it be clear 100% .

Answer 4

Is ANYTHING safe to eat?