How to Avoid Mercury in Fish Oils

Thinking of taking fish oil supplements but worried about mercury in fish oil? How do you know if your fish oils supplements are of the highest quality and purity?

Everyone knows that fish is good for our health. Health authorities advocate eating 2 - 3 servings of fish per week for cardiovascular health. Fish, especially fatty fish such as tuna and mackeral, are high in omega 3 fatty acids - special fats that offer tremendous health benefits.

Omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to help reduce lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduce your risk for strokes, lessen your chance for blood clots and reduce inflammation.

The problem with trying to eat this amount of fish is the potential exposure to mercury, PCB's and lead. Studies have found that residents of countries that regularly consume fish have higher mercury levels in their bodies, compared to people that don't eat fish at all.

What's the normal mercury level in humans?

People that don't eat fish will have mercury levels of about 2.0 micrograms/Liter (µg/L). People eating 2 - 4 servings of fish per week may have mercury levels up to 8.4 µg/L.

According to the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the estimated safe daily intake of mercury is 0.1 µg/kg body weight per day. This amount was based on a study in the Faroe Islands, where fish containing significant amounts of mercury formed a large part of the diet.

This same study compared test scores on development for children whose mothers had been exposed to mercury during pregnancy. A European Union scientific review, in 2001, supported this safe daily intake level of mercury.

So how can you get the benefits of fish, without increasing your exposure to mercury and other contaminants found in fish?

Researchers believe the use of concentrated fish oils may be the key to getting your daily dose of healthful omega 3 fatty acids, while avoiding your exposure to mercury.

Is there mercury in fish oil supplements?

Many people wish to improve their diet and health with fish, but are concerned if there is mercury in fish oil supplements.

A study published in the Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (2003) by doctors at Harvard Medical School looked at 5 different brands of fish oil supplements to determine if there was mercury in fish oils.

The 5 brands analyzed were:

1. Omega Brite Fish Oils
2. Sundown Nutrition Fish Oils
3. Kirkland Signature Fish Oil Concentrate
4. CVS Pharmacy Fish Oil Concentrate
5. Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega

Fish oil capsules from each sample were punctured and the liquid contents were sent for mercury level analysis. The lower limit of detection was 6 µg/L. Mercury levels reading lower than this level were considered insignificant.

Results showed that none of the fish oils brands analyzed contained significant levels of mercury. The highest readings were found in the Omega Brite at 12 µg/L of mercury and the CVS brand contained 10 µg/L.

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, Sundown and Kirkland brands all measured insignificant levels of mercury below 6 µg/L.

The researchers concluded that mercury in fish oils analyzed is similar to the levels of mercury found in people that regularly eat fish. This lead researchers to believe that the mercury is either removed during the manufacturing process or the fish used to make the fish oils were relatively free of mercury.

This study also showed that even large doses of concentrated fish oils should not cause mercury toxicity. Based on the research results, six capsules of 1000 mg. Omega Brite fish oil contains 0.072 µg of mercury. This is equal to 2.1% of the average daily mercury intake of the typical American population.

Based on this study, it shows that most fish oils supplements contain zero to insignificant levels of mercury. Of course, this will depend on which brand of fish oil supplement you're using. Some manufacturers use FDA-registered labs to test their products for mercury and other contaminants. Other fish oil manufacturers use other third-party laboratories to test their products.

To avoid mercury in fish oils you should buy products made by reputable companies. Look at their websites to determine their level of quality, try to find out how they manufacture their fish oils and what they do to ensure you're getting a high quality product free of mercury, lead, PCB's, and other contaminants. This research will go a long way in helping you avoid any mercury in fish oils.