Posted by Jakeman on January 10, 2005, at 21:06:38
Their website states that the tested fish oils had "safe levels" of mercury and PCB's, which is not exactly "free" of contaminants. I wonder what is considered to be a safe level. Does anyone have the full report?
-Jake----------------------
FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTS APPEAR FREE OF CONTAMINANTS
by January Payne
Washington Post
A survey of 41 brands of omega-3 fish oil supplements found they do not contain mercury and polychlorinated byphenyls (PCBs) --two contaminants found in many species of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Mercury contamination is especially problematic for pregnant women.
"The good news is that none of the products were contaminated, so the supplements appear safer than many popular (types of) fish," said Tod Cooperman, president of ConsumerLab.com, a White Plains, N.Y.-based group that evaluates health and nutrition products.
"Contaminants are generally found not in the oil but in the meat of the fish," Cooperman said.
Studies show that omega-3 fats may help lower blood pressure and prevent heart attack and stroke.
ConsumerLab.com picked 17 popular brands of fish-oil supplements to test; 24 other makers paid to have products tested.
Not all the supplements measured up. ConsumerLab.com examined the amount of two principal fatty acids in each product. Two of the 17 popular brands -- products made by Health From the Sun and EHP -- contained just over half the claimed amount of the studied ingredients. A third, made by Garden of Life, was spoiled.
The full report is available only to ConsumerLab.com subscribers. A free summary appears at www.consumerlab.com/results/omega3.asp.
poster:Jakeman
thread:440363
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050101/msgs/440363.html