Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil

How can I say there's no such thing as pharmaceutical grade fish oil? It's easy.

Let's start at the top. There is no organization that monitors, accredits, tests, validates or certifies products that claim to be pharmaceutical grade.

In other words, anyone can claim that anything is pharmaceutical grade. And, there's no one to stop them.

So you can see that without standardization, the term "pharmaceutical grade" is absolutely meaningless. Product marketers will use it to mean whatever they need it to - which almost always means to sell you more products.

Here's an example. Some people use the term "pharmaceutical grade" to mean "pure." But, interestingly enough, companies that use the term seldom offer a guarantee of purity.

Even companies that use the purification method known as "molecular distillation" admit that it doesn't remove ALL the heavy metals and toxins from fish oil.

I don't know about you, but I've often wondered why these companies start with toxic fish oils in the first place? Possibly because it's the cheapest source?

Another "implied" definition is that the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has validated products claiming to be pharmaceutical grade. That's just not true. If the product's label doesn't say "USP Verified" then it's NOT. Plain and simple. Anything more is just what slick marketers want you to think.

What you want to know about the USP is that it does offer standards for fish oils. But, compliance with these standards is completely voluntary.

If you want to have some fun, you could ask some of these "pharmaceutical grade" companies to confirm, in writing, that their fish oil is in compliance with the USP guidelines. You may be waiting a long time for that letter to come in the mail.

Here's one more thing I think you ought to know. I consider it a dirty little secret about the fish oil industry.

Here it is - ALL molecularly distilled fish oils are oxidized.

And, there's nothing worse for you than oxidized oils.

Oxidized oils have been shown to contribute to arterial damage, cancer, inflammation and premature aging.

Aren't these the same health conditions you're taking fish oil to prevent?

If you'd like to learn how to choose a high quality omega 3 fish oil supplement, you'll find more information here - Fish Oil at Squidoo