How to Know if an Omega-3 Supplement is Free of Heavy Metals

Pure omega-3, pre-filtered to eliminate traces of heavy metals, has become the new gold. DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, is well known for its benefits to the body. One of the characteristics of DHA lies in the diversity of its sources. In fact, it can come from three different sources: fish, algae, and ALA omega-3.

Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines, are natural sources of DHA. These fish accumulate this acid by feeding on marine organisms, including algae and krill (plankton), which are very rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming fatty fish is the classic direct source of DHA.

However, due to marine pollution, fatty fish have fairly high levels of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. For this reason, health authorities recommend a limited intake of two to three times a week. Fish oils are treated to reduce their heavy metal content according to current standards.

Krill oil (plankton) is a possible alternative to fish, but using this resource at the beginning of the food chain can have consequences for marine fauna that feed on it, including whales.

In the market, it is easy to find a wide variety of different omega-3 supplements. However, concentration and purity, two key factors to know when deciding on one, are not optimal in all market options.

To find a pure and quality omega-3 supplement, you should pay attention to some considerations. There is a classification among the different omega-3 supplements that serves to differentiate them. On one hand, there are low or medium concentration ones, which are the most abundant on the market and have a 30% concentration of EPA and DHA (180mg of EPA and 120mg of DHA per 1,000mg of omega-3). In these cases, the low concentrations do not change with the sizes of the capsules or the number of capsules.

On the other hand, there are high-end omega-3s, whose concentrations range from 60% to 95% of EPA and DHA in each capsule. These are the ones that will have more benefits, as their effects are demonstrated in well-designed studies and endorsed by the highest health institutions worldwide.

Purity is the second fundamental factor to consider. This means that the marine source from which the omega-3 oil in the supplement comes is not contaminated by heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs. A reliable way to choose a pure omega-3 is to check if it has certifications from the WHO (World Health Organization) and CRN (Council for Responsible Nutrition), both with high established safety standards.

One of the most important seals that guarantees an omega-3 supplement is free of heavy metals is the IFOS certification, considered one of the most reliable certifications on the market.

In summary, not all omega-3s are the same. There are significant variations in concentration and purity. You should choose an option that has high levels of EPA and DHA and also guarantees, through a high-quality independent certification, that the marine source from which it is extracted is not contaminated and does not pose a health risk.

At SHA, we recommend the highest quality omega-3 supplements on the market, all available in our SHA Boutique. Additionally, our experts can recommend the omega-3 supplement that provides the greatest benefits without compromising health.