subject: Is A Fish Oil Prescription Really Necessary [print this page] Is A Fish Oil Prescription Really Necessary
Recently, the makers of Lovanza have launched a massive advertising blitz to introduce their product - something that did not exist previously - a fish oil prescription. Even though Lovanza was approved under a different name several years ago, it was thought that this hugely expensive marketing campaign should be launched now. Let's review their claims and see if there are less expensive alternatives.
Natural products have about a 50% concentration rate. This means for every 1000mg tablet, there will be 500mg of omega 3s in it. Lovaza has a 85% concentration rate. Therefore, they state that they have a higher dosage per capsule.
The better over the counter [OTC] fish oil supplements are free of the ocean toxins found in omega 3 rich species. This is also one of Lovaza's claims.
Both of these statements are true. However, fish oil processing has come a long way in the past five years. Those companies, who wish to spend the time and effort, can put out a clean product. The Lovaza advertisements make a point of this because there are still many OTC companies that prefer a cheap price over health.
The message of their campaign is that a fish oil prescription will give the patient large doses of omega 3s without them worrying about poisoning themselves. They feel that charging the equivalent of a car payment is justified for what they provide. My response is: Really?
There have been several studies of coastal dwellers around the world who ate massive amounts of seafood every day. They were probably getting over ten - I repeat 10 - grams of omega 3s per day. What they were not getting were heart problems, joint issues and clinical depression. Good health was taken for granted.
Unfortunately, as they ate more processed "Western" foods they started getting more diseases like the ones that I just mentioned. However, they were still eating a lot of fish as well. Despite the massive amounts of omega 3s they were still consuming, their health still declined.
The lesson here is that lifestyle is important too. The extra omega 3s reached a point of no return. The body will only be able to use a certain amount of them. The F.D.A. and other health organizations think that 2 grams per day is a good dose for health maintenance, although people with existing diseases may need more.
Back to prescription fish oil. The reason that high doses have to be prescribed by a doctor is that high doses can have side effects. Assuming that you are not taking any blood thinners, there is really only one side effect to worry about.
Omega 3 fish oil can cause the creation of free radicals. The better OTC companies have known this for years and have included natural antioxidants like Vitamin E or astaxanthin [from algae, not krill] in the product. Some doctors are aware of this issue and do you know what they do? Prescribe man made antioxidant drugs to go with the fish oil prescription!
Summing up what we know. It does not matter whether they come from a quality OTC supplement or a Lovanza fish oil prescription - omega 3s are omega 3s. The difference is dosage - which you will pay a lot for whether it is needed or not. My website can help you find what you need in an OTC product.
