21 replies to this topic

[mastercowboy]

I just bought a bottle of Nature's Aid Fish Oil.It is the standard 1000mg softgel with 180 EPA / 120 DHA ratio.

What is the recommended dosage for better cognition and mood?

How long does it take to see any results?

[nameless]

For mood, high EPA ratios are generally preferred.

Something like one of these:
http://www.vitaminsh....jsp?id=CF-1825

http://www.iherb.com...-Gels/4198?at=0

http://www.iherb.com...tgels/9225?at=0

http://www.omegabrite.com/

You want to get around 1 gram of EPA with minimal DHA, to treat mood/depression issues -- at least according to the studies out there.

But some people are different and feel better on high DHA ratios -- Or some prefer EPA/DHA. So you can try what you have now, say at around 2-4 pills daily, and see how you do. I never heard of the Nature's Aid brand before, so can't say if they are any good or not, but several reputable fish oil brands are: Nordic Naturals, Minami, Barlean, and Carlson.

[mastercowboy]

For the moment the only thing i have experienced is constipation.I take 6 per day but it has the normal EPA /DHA ratio to get up to the recommended 2 g of total EPA + DHA i often read.

Nordic is very expensive brand.I don't know if it is worth the quality though.The same for Omegabrite and some others.

Do you think that what counts is the total amount of EPA only or the ratio must stay in certain limits for maximum effect?If i get the 1g of recommended EPA and DHA is high too is not so effective as with low DHA?Are there any studies about this?

How long does it take to feel anything positive in terms of brain health?

[nameless]

Yeah, they have done some studies with depression and Omega 3s:

http://www.bastyrcen...ntent/view/682/

This EPA AOR product has some studies listed in its research section --
http://www.aor.ca/ht...ducts.php?id=74

And check out pubmed for studies. If I had them handy I'd paste them for you, but I never really researched it much.

You don't have to use Nordic or Omegabrite -- I just listed them because they had high EPA ratios and the brands are considered decent. But yes, they are very pricey. Carlson or Barlean's are more mid-level priced fish oils and are still good.

If you are getting constipation from your fish oils, I'd worry they may be bad. Bite one gel open and see how it tastes. If it tastes god awful, it may be rancid.

[Robert C]

Some people have GI issues with fish oil. I burp fish oil for a few days if I up the dose too much. I take mine all at once after breakfest. If you have any issues definately make sure your oil is fresh like Namesless said and/or try another brand. Maybe keep them in the fridge after opening them, but this won't help if they are not fresh to begin with.

Assuming you have good oil, I think the easiest thing to do is to titrate the dose. Start with one per day. When you have no side effects go to two per day, and so on. For me, starting with 6 per day would have been too much. I would suggest stopping until your GI issues are resolved and then restart on one per day and go from there.

[pycnogenol]

Nordic is very expensive brand. I don't know if it is worth the quality though.

Yes, Nordic is high quality and worth it. Besides, Jonathan Davis (singer of Korn) takes their products so it must be good!

See for yourself...

https://www.facebook...&type=1

Edited by pycnogenol, 01 August 2011 - 03:21 PM.

[9H}@}C\%kmFHOB#?X]

I cringe when I see products with a paltry 180 EPA/120 DHA per gram of fish oil.

Try something like this: http://www.iherb.com...tgels/8341?at=0

Why I take it and recommend it:

• High total EPA+DHA per 1g softgel
• High ratio of EPA:DHA
• Enteric coated: no fishy burps
• Trusted brand
• Dirt cheap for what you get compared to other brands

[nupi]

I am taking two of the NOW Ultra Omega a day currently and I agree, very good value and definitely no fishy burps. Freshness seems ok too (I opened one, stunk intensely like fish, but not rotten, very much like other fish oil I have opened).

[hbar]

That NOW product looks good, though that isn't really what qualifies as a high EPA:DHA ratio. It's a 2:1 ratio, which is the "standard" ratio often seen in concentrated fish oil supplements. A high ratio of EPA:DHA should be something more on the order of 4:1 or higher.

I take Jarrow's EPA/DHA Balance, which is the same 2:1 ratio but has slightly less EPA/DHA per pill (400/200 vs. 500/250 for the NOW product). It's not enteric coated, but it is slightly cheaper per mg of fish oil than NOW's is.

I used to use Nordic Naturals' products, but quite frankly I think their prices are insane (along with Minami's). Jarrow and NOW are very reputable (along with several other brands), not sure why people pay exorbitant prices for other brands when that money could be put to better use.

[nupi]

It's high if you consider (EPA+DHA)/Total Oil (which seems beneficial if we assume that it is really the EPA/DHA that helps, not the rest of the fish oil). If you want a truly high EPA/DHA ratio, check Source Naturals Arctic Pure line for one that has 500/90 but is significantly pricier than NOW's.

Edited by nupi, 02 August 2011 - 10:57 AM.

[nameless]

If you open a fish oil cap and it stinks intensely like fish, I'm not so sure it's that fresh. It may not be rotten, but some serious oxidation may have begun. I have never noticed more than a slightly fishy smell/taste to unflavored fish oils -- one exception being when I did have a rancid oil.

As for Nordic/Minami, the reason to consider them are their super low oxidation numbers. Minami has the lowest peroxide levels I've seen.

But yeah, their prices are way out there. For an inexpensive oil, I'd think the Jarrow would be fine.

But since the OP wants something for mood, a high EPA ratio is better. Carlson, Barlean's make high EPA oils. Country Life makes that 'Mood' product, and it's real cheap (although no idea how good their oil is). Other inexpensive brands would be any Meg-3 oil or EPAX oil (from various manufacturers), which I consider decent too.


Other fishy things to consider: the triglyceride form seems to absorb better than ethyl esters, based on most studies. High concentrates will result in less pills, although realize that also means the oil has undergone more processing (probably not a concern, but just mentioning it). And for EPA oils, they probably will oxidize a bit less than high DHA or standard ratios -- ALA < EPA < DHA.

[Forever21]

What do you guys think of Barry Sears Omega RX? I used to take that few years ago and wonder if that is "still" the best (overpriced) in the market?

[mastercowboy]

So how long does it take to feel any effect in cognition from fish oil?It is the third time i ask in this thread..i think nobody answered this yet,right?

Also about DHA and EPA concerning brain function it seems that it is not clear which one is the best.Maybe both have the same result in brain function or they are both nice placebo effect...

For example i am going crazy when i see 2 reputable brands promoting the first the DHA as brain support and the other company the opposite (EPA for brain).

Check these

http://www.sourcenat...roducts/GP1092/

vs

http://www.country-l...&Product_ID=362

Also the same company (Country Life) has both versions of acids for brain health.I mean that they have one more product with DHA and PS that helps memory and clear thinking (NO EPA here!).They claim that "This special type of PS supports the utilization of DHA by the brain.**".So they mean that DHA is good for brain.So both are good!

LoL!

It seems that what is "working" some times is what we want to feel that is working - AKA placebo!

I haven't tried them though.If i try both i will have a definite answer!

Edited by mastercowboy, 02 August 2011 - 08:38 PM.

[nameless]

So how long does it take to feel any effect in cognition from fish oil?It is the third time i ask in this thread..i think nobody answered this yet,right?

Also about DHA and EPA concerning brain function it seems that it is not clear which one is the best.Maybe both have the same result in brain function or they are both nice placebo effect...

If you look at the first study link I provided, the study lasted 12 weeks. But benefits were seen sooner:

Compared with the placebo group, the group receiving 1 gram of E-EPA per day had a significantly better outcome on each of three different rating scales for depression. The difference between E-EPA and placebo was statistically significant on two of the three rating scales within 4 weeks of the start of treatment, and the advantage of E-EPA over placebo became even more pronounced after 8 and 12 weeks.

Note, this is a depression study. If looking for cognition benefits and otherwise feel fine, I'm not sure fish oil will do a whole lot for you. It's not like fish oil will make your brain 10x smarter.

As for EPA vs DHA, DHA may be better for brain structure (developing children, expectant mothers) while EPA may be better for brain function, mood, etc. But that's just a theory. Best way to find out is simply test varying ratios.

Edited by nameless, 02 August 2011 - 10:04 PM.

[9H}@}C\%kmFHOB#?X]

That NOW product looks good, though that isn't really what qualifies as a high EPA:DHA ratio. It's a 2:1 ratio, which is the "standard" ratio often seen in concentrated fish oil supplements. A high ratio of EPA:DHA should be something more on the order of 4:1 or higher.

Quite right; I was using the word "high" more loosely. I only meant that the ratio of EPA:DHA is high relative to products like the one the OP mentioned, which has a ratio of 3:2 EPA:DHA. This 3:2 ratio appears to be common among inexpensive brands available in stores. But certainly 2:1 is not high relative to some other products out there, particularly since there are in fact products with only EPA like the one nameless mentioned. (Speaking of this one, I just noticed that it says "Will be discontinued." Anyone know why? Did AOR decide that only EPA is suboptimal?)

[firespin]

I cringe when I see products with a paltry 180 EPA/120 DHA per gram of fish oil.

Try something like this: http://www.iherb.com...tgels/8341?at=0

I use Now Foods' Omega 3 as well. You can buy it for a little cheaper at swansons: http://www.swansonvi...tail?n=3758 441

[Robert C]

I can never decide if DHA or EPA is more important so I take salmon oil with is about 50/50.

[Matt79]

Whatever you do make sure you use the TG (triglyceride version) of fishoils. Most manufacturers use the cheaper EE (ethyl ester) version that oxidizes more than the TG version, and may have unkown long term effects.

I personally like Blue Bonnet, because I know that EPAX supplies them. And EPAX are impeccable for quality EFA's.

Links:

http://www.epax.com/...fbMTIuDeTLXJdqw
http://www.bluebonne...ormula_Softgels

[Matt79]

This EPA AOR product has some studies listed in its research section --
http://www.aor.ca/ht...ducts.php?id=74

I'm actually disappointed that AOR uses an EE version. Surely AOR wants to be associated with the best not the cheapest?

[Sentience]

So how long does it take to feel any effect in cognition from fish oil?It is the third time i ask in this thread..i think nobody answered this yet,right?

Also about DHA and EPA

Depends on a lot of things. If you have an omega 3 deficiency, it's possible that you might notice a difference in a week. Honestly, unless you're meticulously life tracking, I doubt you'd ever actually notice a any difference in how you feel. Regarding DHA and EPA, don't worry too much about the ratio. You need both, and it's futile to micro-optimize the ratio for two reasons: 1) we don't know what ratio is exactly perfect and likely small differences in the ratio are negligible 2) you get omega 3 from the food you eat, so you're ratio will be different from the supplemental ratio anyway.

Additional advice: if you can afford it, get your fish oil from fish instead of fish oil. Eating low mercury fish 3 or more times per week is better for you than taking the pill. Salmon is a great choice. Especially if the supplement is giving you gastrointestinal issues, you know it's doing some harm. As an omega 3, fish oil becomes rancid really easily, and at that point it not only loses its benefit; it then is very effective at clogging the arteries. Since fish oil is usually stored for extended periods before consumption, there is a high probability it has already gone bad. Store your fish oil in a dark place that is cold (freezer is best), but know that there is a good chance that it was rancid by the time you bought it, and you can't rely on the lack of a fishy smell to prove it's not yet bad since many manufacturers include chemicals that negate that smell.

[apod]

That NOW product looks good, though that isn't really what qualifies as a high EPA:DHA ratio. It's a 2:1 ratio, which is the "standard" ratio often seen in concentrated fish oil supplements. A high ratio of EPA:DHA should be something more on the order of 4:1 or higher.

Quite right; I was using the word "high" more loosely. I only meant that the ratio of EPA:DHA is high relative to products like the one the OP mentioned, which has a ratio of 3:2 EPA:DHA. This 3:2 ratio appears to be common among inexpensive brands available in stores. But certainly 2:1 is not high relative to some other products out there, particularly since there are in fact products with only EPA like the one nameless mentioned. (Speaking of this one, I just noticed that it says "Will be discontinued." Anyone know why? Did AOR decide that only EPA is suboptimal?)

It's very expensive, $70 for 180x 325mg or $40 for 90x 325mg so I don't think it sells well.

I'm taking a 20:1 EPA to DHA ratio supplement called o3mega+ joy which is the highest ratio I've seen (not counting AOR EPA) and it's of similar quality to AOR's product and costs far less.

[neoP]

I'm actually disappointed that AOR uses an EE version. Surely AOR wants to be associated with the best not the cheapest?

Nordic Naturals, Minami, Carlson...they also offer EE forms. To my understanding, Natural Triglyceride (TG) form exist only in naturally occurring concentration level (~30%). In order to achieve higher concentration (>30%), molecular distillation is used which results in ethyl ester (unless it is re-attached and advertised as TG such as Ascenta Nutrasea--somewhat deceiving if you ask me).

I have no issues with EE forms.