Fish Oil vs Salmon Oil vs Flaxseed Oil

[RAV TUX]

...before I start I know that Salmon is a fish.

Here is my question, a few doctors have suggested that I take Fish Oil, while in Boulder, Colorado I bought two bottles of Fish Oil Gel Caps(buy one get one free).

I found one negative effect, the Fish Oil gel caps gave me a terrible after effect(nothing worse then a Fishy burp).

So when I ran out I bought some Salmon Oil gel caps, immediately after a short time of taking the Salmon Oil Gel caps the negative effects I experienced with the Fish Oil caplets is gone. ;)

Thats something to be happy about. I began to wonder what are the benefits and draw backs of taking Salmon Oil as opposed to Fish Oil caplets.

Sense this is beyond the scope of traditional western medicine I have of course turned to the internet and my trusted forum home online, ubuntuforums.org.

So the primary difference from Fish Oil and Salmon Oil is quite obvious:

Fish Oil caplets-derived from many kind of fish

Salmon Oil caplets-derived from Salmon only

Some more information about Fish Oil in general:


Fish oil is oil (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil) derived from the tissues (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_tissue) of oily fish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oily_fish).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_oil


Fish oil is recommended for a healthy diet because it contains the omega-3 fatty acids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid) eicosapentaenoic acid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eicosapentaenoic_acid) (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docosahexaenoic_acid) (DHA), precursors to eicosanoids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eicosanoids) that reduce inflammation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflammation) throughout the body
However, fish do not actually produce omega-3 fatty acids, but instead accumulate them from either consuming microalgae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microalgae) that produce these fatty acids, as is the case with prey fish like herring (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herring) and sardines (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardines), or, as is the case with fatty predatory fish, by eating prey fish that have accumulated omega-3 fatty acids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid) from microalgae. Such fatty predatory fish like mackerel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackerel), lake trout (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_trout), albacore tuna (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albacore_tuna) and salmon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon) may be high in omega-3 fatty acids, but due to their position at the top of the food chain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_chain), these species can accumulate toxic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic) substances (See biomagnification (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomagnification)). For this reason, the FDA recommends limiting consumption of certain (predatory) fish species (e.g. albacore tuna) due to high levels of toxic contaminants such as mercury (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_%28element%29), dioxin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioxin), PCBs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_biphenyl) and chlordane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlordane).[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_oil#_note-EPAfish) Due to this limitation, many people have turned to fish oil supplements (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutritional_supplements) to get adequate omega-3 fatty acids.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_oil

Some benefits of Fish Oil:


Some experts believe that taking fish oil (in any form) can help regulate cholesterol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol) in the body,[attribution needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_words)] because fish oil has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The regulation occurs through effects of the EPA and DHA constituents on Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peroxisome_proliferator-activated_receptor) alpha (PPARα). Besides cholesterol regulation, benefits include anti-inflammatory properties and positive effects on body composition. However, the preferred source of Omega 3 should be from the fish's body, not the liver. The liver and liver products (such as cod liver oil (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cod_liver_oil)) of fish and many animals (such as seals and whales) contain Omega-3, but also the active form of vitamin A (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_A). At high levels, this form of the vitamin can be dangerous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_oil

So here is my primary concern, while the short term benefit of Salmon Oil is immediately realized.

What are the potential drawbacks of Salmon Oil, what kind of toxic substances may I be exposing myself to with a Salmon Oil only gel cap as opposed to a combined species of fish oil gel cap.

I need some help from anybody who may stumble upon a good research article. Please if you have a minute or two or have already done the research for yourself because you are taking Fish/Salmon Oil gel caps please let me know what you have found.

Also, if any members here are currently taking Fish Oil or Salmon Oil(or something else) please share your knowledge and experience.

[BarfBag]

Fish Oil is wonderful stuff. I take it daily. You think you have it bad? I have to drink the liquid directly! The fishy burps are much worse.

[jrusso2]

If you get the enteric coated fish oil you won't get fishy burps

[RAV TUX]

If you get the enteric coated fish oil you won't get fishy burpsAre these gel caps or tablets?

I did find this article in the New England Journal of Medicine:
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/334/24/1557

[LaRoza]

If you can smell it, it means it is most likely rancid. I am a vegan now, but when I did use Fish Oil (From GNC), it had no taste, as it should. It was a capsul.

For an alternative, use Flax Seed Oil, or just eat healthy oils, read: no animal fat, except for fish possibly.

[RAV TUX]

If you can smell it, it means it is most likely rancid. I am a vegan now, but when I did use Fish Oil (From GNC), it had no taste, as it should. It was a capsul.

For an alternative, use Flax Seed Oil, or just eat healthy oils, read: no animal fat, except for fish possibly.

Good point as I have been evolving to a more vegetarian diet Flaxseed oil may be a good alternative.

Does Flaxseed oil have the same positive effects as Fish Oil?

[LaRoza]

Does Flaxseed oil have the same positive effects as Fish Oil?

It has to do with the ratio of fatty acids, specifically, the omega-3 and omega-6 families. They "compete" for absorbtion, so if you consume a gross imbalance, you won't have any affect. This is more pronounced in flaxseed oil, because of the amount of animal fat people generally consume. For a vegan, like me, it has a better affect. (No possibility of Hg, no dead fish, no ocean troubles, no animal fat, and a cleaner and tastier oil)

I don't take them any more, as I am more of a naturalist, and like things raw.

[RAV TUX]

It has to do with the ratio of fatty acids, specifically, the omega-3 and omega-6 families. They "compete" for absorbtion, so if you consume a gross imbalance, you won't have any affect. This is more pronounced in flaxseed oil, because of the amount of animal fat people generally consume. For a vegan, like me, it has a better affect. (No possibility of Hg, no dead fish, no ocean troubles, no animal fat, and a cleaner and tastier oil)

I don't take them any more, as I am more of a naturalist, and like things raw.

I primarily need Fish Oil/Salmon Oil/Flaxseed Oil because I am a diabetic and have high Cholesterol and high triglycerides.

LaRoza I Thank you for your post I think I well finish off my Salmon Oil Gel Caps and get Flaxseed Oil Gel Caps next time...

I found this article on Flaxseed Oil on the University of Maryland Medical Center website:

Flaxseed oil is derived from the seeds of the flax plant. Flaxseed oil and flaxseed contain substances that promote good health. Flaxseed oil is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid that appears to be beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and a variety of other health conditions. Flaxseed, in addition to ALA, contains a group of chemicals called lignans that may play a role in the prevention of cancer. Please see the flaxseed monograph for further information on this herbal agent.

ALA, as well as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), belongs to a group of substances called omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish while ALA is mostly found in flaxseed oil and other vegetable oils. Although similar in structure, the benefits of ALA, EPA, and DHA are not necessarily the same....
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/flaxseed-oil-000304.htm

[LaRoza]

I primarily need Fish Oil/Salmon Oil/Flaxseed Oil because I am a diabetic and have high Cholesterol and high triglycerides.

LaRoza I Thank you for your post I think I well finish off my Salmon Oil Gel Caps and get Flaxseed Oil Gel Caps next time...


Those fats mentioned are the basis for the EFA's (Essential Fatty Acids).

I am not a doctor and not able to give medical advice <disclaimer> but if I were in your situation (if possble for a vegan :)), I would use Flaxseed Oil, or change my diet to a diet high in healthy fats and shun all animal fat.

[RAV TUX]

Those fats mentioned are the basis for the EFA's (Essential Fatty Acids).

I am not a doctor and not able to give medical advice <disclaimer> but if I were in your situation (if possble for a vegan :)), I would use Flaxseed Oil, or change my diet to a diet high in healthy fats and shun all animal fat.

I have basically stopped eating all animals so it makes perfect sense for me to take the Flaxseed Oil instead.

I have made the conclusion not just by your post alone but also from the brief research I have done.

Again Thank You for the suggestion, it was right on!

[LaRoza]

I have made the conclusion not just by your post alone but also from the brief research I have done.

Again Thank You for the suggestion, it was right on!

Research is always good. My room is full of books on such matters, in fact, I have a book on essential fatty acids within sight.

Glad to help, especially for a potential vegan.

If you eat eggs, get ones that are organic, and with chickens fed with flaxseed. Not only do they taste better (for eggs), they are MUCH healthier.

[RAV TUX]

Research is always good. My room is full of books on such matters, in fact, I have a book on essential fatty acids within sight.

Glad to help, especially for a potential vegan.

If you eat eggs, get ones that are organic, and with chickens fed with flaxseed. Not only do they taste better (for eggs), they are MUCH healthier.

I have stopped eating all meat, and milk...the only thing I still eat is Cheese made with vegetable enzymes and eggs but I would like to find a vegan egg alternative.

[bikeboy]

It seems that flaxseed oil is not as good as fish based oil, - be it salmon or mixed - but is still going to be of benefit if your diet is deficient in the linolenic fatty acids. My 10 minutes of research indicates that flaxseed isn't too likely to improve blood lipoprotein levels (LDLs vs HDLs etc), but can potentially still provide a cardio-protective effect and lower blood pressure in people with high blood fatty acids (hyperlipidaemia).

One source is as follows (only the abstract is freely available as far as I can tell)
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/11/2844

Here's a good summation of current knowledge.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/Why-not-flaxseed-oil.shtml

The only concern I would have had with salmon oil compared to mixed fish oil is mercury, but I didn't come across anything that states it as a problem. So just go with what works for you, and most of all get your diet right before supplementing.

[RAV TUX]

It seems that flaxseed oil is as good as fish based oil, - be it salmon or mixed - but is still going to be of benefit if your diet is deficient in the linolenic fatty acids. My 10 minutes of research indicates that flaxseed isn't too likely to improve blood lipoprotein levels (LDLs vs HDLs etc), but can potentially still provide a cardio-protective effect and lower blood pressure in people with high blood fatty acids (hyperlipidaemia).

One source is as follows (only the abstract is freely available as far as I can tell)
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/136/11/2844

Here's a good summation of current knowledge.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/Why-not-flaxseed-oil.shtml

The only concern I would have had with salmon oil compared to mixed fish oil is mercury, but I didn't come across anything that states it as a problem. So just go with what works for you, and most of all get your diet right before supplementing.Good advice, and Thanks for the contribution.

[bikeboy]

No probs, but watch out for my typo in the first sentence (fixed now), it was a rather large mistake :(

[Tundro Walker]

Fish oil & Salmon oil are basically the same thing, except Salmon oil (as you pointed out) is derived from Salmon only. It might have a little bit different DHE / EPA profile then just fish oil. These oils usually don't have any Vitamin A or D in them, which Cod Liver Oil does have (because cod liver oil comes from cod liver, which is full of natural Vitamin A & D, but fish / salmon oils come from oily fish skin/flesh, which is very low in Vitamin A & D). If you get a fish or salmon oil that has Vitamin A & D in it, it's probably been synthetically added (in the way they add A & D to cow's milk).

Flax / Borage / Evening Primrose oils are plant-derived oils which are high in GLA (Gamma-Linoleic & Gamma-Linolenic Acids), which your body has to convert to DHE / EPA. So, it's better to just supplement with fish oils / cod liver oil, since, as we get older, we run low on the conversion factors needed to convert GLA to DHE/EPA. Plus, humans didn't evolve running around eating tons of flax, borage, etc seeds / oils. They were seasonal foods in short-supply. Fish, however, was usually in large supply (on coastal areas), and humans did evolve eating lots of fish.

As for which is best, I usually stick with a Cod Liver Oil, because folks are usually deficient in Vitamin A & D as well as DHE/EPA. If you get a good-quality Cod Liver Oil, like Carlson's, it has all the weird heavy metals and crap that fish might get in their bodies during their lifetime filtered out...so no worry about getting that into your system. Carlson's makes a nice lemon-flavored cod liver oil, which makes a very light, pleasant tasting salad dressing. A teaspoon a day on some veggies is pretty good. Unlike other fish oils, the Vitamin A & D in it is all natural. Some folks get headaches from synthetic Vitamin D, but they still have sore joints and pains because they're body is D deficient. When you get a quality cod liver oil, you won't get a headache from the Vitamin D, and you'll notice the joint pains going away.

If you're a night-worker, I especially recommend a cod liver oil supplement, since you're probably not getting much sun exposure at all.

Also, don't use this stuff as cooking oil. It has a very low burn point, and you'll make it go bad by tossing it in a skillet to cook food with. Use it as salad dressing, or mix it into a protein shake (it won't taste too bad if you use the lemon flavored one, and adds a creamy smoothness to the shake).

Adding a little flax oil can also be beneficial, but focus mostly on the Fish / Cod oil. You can get something called Udo's Oil, which is a blend of essential oils if you don't want to have a bunch of bottles around.

If you're burping the stuff up after you take it, it might be that the pill coating (gelatin) is causing a gas reaction, not the fish oil. But, because it carried fish oil down with it, it's brining up the fish oil, making you think the fish oil is causing the burps. Try just using one of the bottled oils, drink a teaspoon of it (Carlson's doesn't have a bad taste). If you're still burping up with just the oil, then you have some minor digestive issues. You can go to walmart and get a Digestive Aid in the nutritional supplement aisle. They usually have a low-dose one for about $5 that has a bit of HCl, all the essential -ase's (lipase, protease, etc), bromelain, ginger, etc that help the digestive system. You should try to limit how much you eat at each meal, too, spreading your food consumption out over the day. Over-feeding at one meal will cause indigestion, and putting that burden on a digestive system that's already weak will cause you to burp up your meal for up to an hour after eating it. Add the fish oil caps onto that, and you'll be burping up fishy'ness.

If you're interested in more nutritional know-how, a good place to start is Natural Hormonal Enhancement by Rob Faigin. This guy's done a very good job of digging through all the research papers and putting all the knowledge together in a nutritional "bible" of sorts. He talks about fish oils, fat consumption, etc in the book. It's a really good read.

[RAV TUX]

No probs, but watch out for my typo in the first sentence (fixed now), it was a rather large mistake :(

The not noted.

[RAV TUX]

Fish oil & Salmon oil are basically the same thing, except Salmon oil (as you pointed out) is derived from Salmon only. It might have a little bit different DHE / EPA profile then just fish oil. These oils usually don't have any Vitamin A or D in them, which Cod Liver Oil does have (because cod liver oil comes from cod liver, which is full of natural Vitamin A & D, but fish / salmon oils come from oily fish skin/flesh, which is very low in Vitamin A & D). If you get a fish or salmon oil that has Vitamin A & D in it, it's probably been synthetically added (in the way they add A & D to cow's milk).

Flax / Borage / Evening Primrose oils are plant-derived oils which are high in GLA (Gamma-Linoleic & Gamma-Linolenic Acids), which your body has to convert to DHE / EPA. So, it's better to just supplement with fish oils / cod liver oil, since, as we get older, we run low on the conversion factors needed to convert GLA to DHE/EPA. Plus, humans didn't evolve running around eating tons of flax, borage, etc seeds / oils. They were seasonal foods in short-supply. Fish, however, was usually in large supply (on coastal areas), and humans did evolve eating lots of fish.

As for which is best, I usually stick with a Cod Liver Oil, because folks are usually deficient in Vitamin A & D as well as DHE/EPA. If you get a good-quality Cod Liver Oil, like Carlson's, it has all the weird heavy metals and crap that fish might get in their bodies during their lifetime filtered out...so no worry about getting that into your system. Carlson's makes a nice lemon-flavored cod liver oil, which makes a very light, pleasant tasting salad dressing. A teaspoon a day on some veggies is pretty good. Unlike other fish oils, the Vitamin A & D in it is all natural. Some folks get headaches from synthetic Vitamin D, but they still have sore joints and pains because they're body is D deficient. When you get a quality cod liver oil, you won't get a headache from the Vitamin D, and you'll notice the joint pains going away.

If you're a night-worker, I especially recommend a cod liver oil supplement, since you're probably not getting much sun exposure at all.

Also, don't use this stuff as cooking oil. It has a very low burn point, and you'll make it go bad by tossing it in a skillet to cook food with. Use it as salad dressing, or mix it into a protein shake (it won't taste too bad if you use the lemon flavored one, and adds a creamy smoothness to the shake).

Adding a little flax oil can also be beneficial, but focus mostly on the Fish / Cod oil. You can get something called Udo's Oil, which is a blend of essential oils if you don't want to have a bunch of bottles around.

If you're burping the stuff up after you take it, it might be that the pill coating (gelatin) is causing a gas reaction, not the fish oil. But, because it carried fish oil down with it, it's brining up the fish oil, making you think the fish oil is causing the burps. Try just using one of the bottled oils, drink a teaspoon of it (Carlson's doesn't have a bad taste). If you're still burping up with just the oil, then you have some minor digestive issues. You can go to walmart and get a Digestive Aid in the nutritional supplement aisle. They usually have a low-dose one for about $5 that has a bit of HCl, all the essential -ase's (lipase, protease, etc), bromelain, ginger, etc that help the digestive system. You should try to limit how much you eat at each meal, too, spreading your food consumption out over the day. Over-feeding at one meal will cause indigestion, and putting that burden on a digestive system that's already weak will cause you to burp up your meal for up to an hour after eating it. Add the fish oil caps onto that, and you'll be burping up fishy'ness.

If you're interested in more nutritional know-how, a good place to start is Natural Hormonal Enhancement by Rob Faigin. This guy's done a very good job of digging through all the research papers and putting all the knowledge together in a nutritional "bible" of sorts. He talks about fish oils, fat consumption, etc in the book. It's a really good read.
Awesome information I have a lot more research to do, Thank you for giving me a good place to start.

[Frak]

I take Flax. Does me good.

[dekeller]

I can't tell you about all the science behind fish oil, but I can relate my own
personal experience. I am diabetic and at one time had a cholesterol level
of 644 and a triglyceride level of 1055. After years of taking pills like Lipitor
and 2 others I can't remember rright now I finally got by cholesterol down to
250 and my triglycerides down to 280. I started taking 2 fish oil caplets a day
and in 6 months my cholesterol was down to 120 and my triglycerides were
down to 130. So, I would sure stick with the fish oil.:)

[RAV TUX]

I can't tell you about all the science behind fish oil, but I can relate my own
personal experience. I am diabetic and at one time had a cholesterol level
of 644 and a triglyceride level of 1055. After years of taking pills like Lipitor
and 2 others I can't remember rright now I finally got by cholesterol down to
250 and my triglycerides down to 280. I started taking 2 fish oil caplets a day
and in 6 months my cholesterol was down to 120 and my triglycerides were
down to 130. So, I would sure stick with the fish oil.:)This is good to hear...I still have a huge bottle of Salmon Oil gel caps that I have to finish before I make any switch and I will call tomorrow and make an appointment to have my blood tested, to see how far I have come.

Thanks for your post of encouragement.

[Macintosh Sauce]

I have stopped eating all meat, and milk...the only thing I still eat is Cheese made with vegetable enzymes and eggs but I would like to find a vegan egg alternative.

If you want to eat meat, eat grass or grain fed buffalo meat. It is low in saturated fat and tastes just like beef. With buffalo being farm-raised, no bad things are used in the production of grass or grain fed buffalo meat. Our whole family has switched over to buffalo meat and other healthy organic meats.

Eat a lot of veggies (raw if possible) and don't use artificial sweeteners as a diabetic! See my blog (http://www.jamesnrhodes.com/James_Nicholas_Rhodes/Weblog/Entries/2007/5/12_A_Serious_Health_Epidemic.html) on this subject, Rav Tux. I am a Type 2 diabetic, so I know what it is like. If you need anything sweet use Stevia. It is a natural sweetener and also helps the pancreas produce insulin more efficiently.

When you cook, cook Chinese style to retain as many nutrients as possible. If you must use salt, use SEA SALT. Never use table salt because it has a harmful chemical in it called "yellow prussiate of soda."

If you want to live a healthier life, get the books by Kevin Trudeau. They will help you immensely.

[I-75]

I thought necromancing (replying to old posts) was a no no.