Fish are a rich source of high quality protein, vitamins and minerals, and the main source of omega 3 fatty acids. While eating fatty fish is the best bet for getting omega 3s in your diet, worldwide consumption of omega 3 supplements is growing faster than any other nutritional dietary supplement. This is due to the multitude of omega 3 health benefits, plus a dislike of fish and fish breath/burps, as well as concerns about consuming mercury, PCBs, heavy metals and radioactive toxins in fish. 

High potency, mercury tested, refined and distilled fish oil sourced from sustainably harvested wild, deep sea fish is without risk and a reputable fish oil manufacturer will have third-party laboratory results showing the purity level of their fish oil. Trustworthy brands also have GMP accreditation. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is the term used to describe the systems manufacturers of medicines are required to have in place to ensure their products are consistently safe, effective and of acceptable quality. The requirements are expressed in a code of practice referred to as a Code of GMP (further information is on the Government MedSafe website).

What are omega 3s?
 - Omega 3s are a family of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential nutrients for human health and development. 
 - Research indicates that the two most beneficial omega 3s are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). 
 - Although EPA and DHA work together in the body, they each have different functions. EPA supports the heart, immune system, and inflammatory response, while DHA supports the brain, eyes, and central nervous system.
 - Our bodies cannot make EPA or DHA, so we need to get and store them from food, and the most concentrated source of these fatty acids is cold-water oily fish.
 - The World Health Organisation recommends we consume a minimum of 500mg combined EPA and DHA a day.  
 - Omega 3 fatty acids support cardiovascular function, healthy blood pressure and triglyceride levels, joint health, macular health, balanced mental focus and mood, healthy hair, skin and nails and general health and wellbeing.

Unborn babies through to elderly people need omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids – found in fish, shellfish, and oils from flaxseed (linseed), hemp, soy, canola (rapeseed), chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, green leafy vegetables and walnuts. A consumption ratio of 1:4 omega 6 to omega 3 is usually recommended, however, our intake of omega 3 has reduced over the years, yet our intake of omega 6 has increased. This is because most processed food is cooked in, or contains, omega 6 oils. Also, we consume far less game animals and seafood, while meat from animals that are grain and not grass-fed is no longer a useful source of omega 3. So we need to decrease consumption of omega 6 and increase our omega 3s.