You will find higher levels of PCBs, Dioxins and Furans in fresh fish, milk & butter than you get in most food supplement products containing marine oils. This is due to the fact the refining and processing of marine oils is developed to remove those contaminants to much lower levels.
Some companies have patented technologies that are very effective in these 'decontamination' processes.
Marine oils are indeed far superior (different) in terms of JointCare than Vegetable-based oils (e.g. Flax). The Omega-3s obtained from marine and vegetable oils are in fact different.
The active constituents of marine oils (Omega-3) are predominantly EPA & DHA, plus the antioxidants have a minor effect in removal of free radicals.
The levels of contaminants are strictly controlled by legislation and the allowed limits for food supplements (e.g. Fish Oils) are far lower than those given for food (e.g. Fish, Butter, Milk etc.).
May I point out that IFOS do not conduct testing on all marine oil products, there are many UK manufactured products missing from their analyses.
There is strong clinical evidence for the benefits of Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) in the area of JointCare and some marine oils (Cod Liver Oil) are actually licensed as medicines around the world (including UK). Additionally, there is a building body of evidence for the benefits of the food supplements Glucosamine and Chondroitin, which has led to a broadening range of products available for JointCare purposes, some of which combine Marine Oils, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and selected Amino Acids (e.g. l-Arginine).
If anyone wishes to know some key brands for these types of products, available in the UK and around the world, let me know. I won't post them up with requests, as I don't want to be accused of 'advertising'.
If anyone has any particular questions about marine oils or other food supplements (e.g. vitamins and minerals), let me know and I'll try and provide an answer.
