Omega 3 Vitamins

The popularity of Omega 3 vitamins in this generation is increasing. So much has been said about Omega 3 that even the World Wide Web has its virtual library full of information about these essential fatty acids. But, given all the supposed benefits of Omega 3, it isn't wise to invest on these nutritional supplements yourself without doing some more careful research and definitely not without your doctor's advice.

As in almost everything in this world, Omega 3 supplements come with side effects and special precautions. Although studies point out that this type of fatty acids can ward off heart problems by regulating blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, not everyone who has heart problems or is at risk to development these sooner or later will benefit from Omega 3 supplementation. The reason? Omega 3 fatty acids have blood-thinning properties, which increase the possibility of hemorrhage, and which can be potentially fatal if the patient suffers from a stroke.  Individuals who are on anti-coagulant medications as part of their treatment plan are not supposed to take omega 3 vitamins, either, not without their doctor's permission because they can interact with one another, causing negative reactions.

If you're allergic to fish or sea foods, taking omega 3 may not be a good idea also. While taking high quality brands of fish oil reduces the possibility of an allergic reaction, such may still happen, and allergic reactions as we know can be mild but they can also be severe.

So just because it's all over the internet that Omega 3 fatty acids are good for the health, it doesn't mean that it's good for everybody and that you will just simply join everybody else in the bandwagon. First things first - visit your doctor. Indeed, going to the doctor who will have you run some test should be the very first thing in your mind when considering to supplement your diet with Omega 3. Never take this supplement without fully understanding just how it can affect your health, positively or negatively.

After clearing the matter with your doctor, the next thing to do is to select the best Omega 3 supplements out there. I tell you, think can be a very tricky process as there are hundreds of brands, trying to outdo one another. The basic rule of thumb to remember is to go for substance rather than form. Don't be easily fooled by the great packaging. Looks are very often deceiving, as you must know by now. Here are a few guidelines to help you out:

• Check the label, making sure the amounts of EPA and DHA are specified. Some Omega 3 brands only indicate the total Omega 3 component, and that is not good enough. The top brands will always have some way of determining how much EPA and DHA are in the capsule.
• Choose pharmaceutical grade. Why settle for anything else? Pharmaceutical grade means the product successfully meets the standards set for supplements. Finally,
• Choose molecular-distilled. This means contaminants have been carefully and effectively removed from Omega 3 vitamins but without reducing the contents of the fish oil.