Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil is More Elusive Than You Think

If you are looking for pharmaceutical grade fish oil in the US, you could have a problem. The US does not recognize the medicinal value of the supplement. So, it is not regulated by the US pharmacopeia. Other countries do have a monogram for medicinal quality fish oils.

For example, the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and the European pharmacopeia have set standards, but they aren’t very high. They have established maximum allowable levels for arsenic, mercury and other heavy metals, but no max is set for total PCBs.

PCBs or Polychlorinated biphenyls were banned in the 1970s, because of their toxicity and persistence in the environment. But, decades later, the amount that is present in our oceans and our marine life is still very high.

PCBs are toxic to the liver, the nerves, the glands and the stomach. According to the US EPA, they “probably” cause cancer. The greatest risk is to children, as it can have a negative impact on brain development, motor skills, immune system function and sexual development.

If we could set our own standards for pharmaceutical fish oil, it would be free of PCBs and other contaminants. But, there are only a few species in the world that swim in water clean enough to be free of contaminants. We must rely on the manufacturer to have their oils tested for purity and to have their own high standards, because governmental regulations are mostly absent.

It’s not just the contaminant levels that can cause health problems. Many fishermen do not handle their catches properly. They are basically allowed to rot. The amount of spoilage that has occurred can be measured scientifically, by looking at the amount of oxidation that has occurred.

In countries that have pharmaceutical grade fish oil, maximum levels of oxidation have not been set. Some independent organizations, such as the Council for Responsible Nutrition, have set standards for oxidation that manufacturers can voluntarily adhere to, but they are not “required” to participate.

The level of oxidation should not exceed 17MEQ/KG. If it gets much higher than that, you will experience fishy tasting burps, but you will also be increasing your body’s free radical load and that could shorten your lifespan.

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage cellular membranes and DNA strands. Eventually, the damage can cause the death of a cell or a cancer formation. That is one of the reasons that our bodies age.

If it is of the best quality, pharmaceutical fish oil helps to reduce free radical damage, because of its antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are molecules that prevent and repair free radical damage. Research suggests that the oils may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

The benefits that a person may see when increasing their intake of omega 3 fatty acids by taking this type of supplement include improved ability to concentrate, better joint function, improved mood, fewer depressive feelings and many others. But, instead of looking for pharmaceutical grade fish oil, you should probably be looking for one that adheres to the guidelines set by the Council for Responsible Nutrition.