Fish Oil Facts

Fish oils are made up of eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA). EPA and DHA are found in albacore tuna, salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, sablefish, wild game. These types of fats are omega-3 fatty acids, vegetarians will try to obtain omega-3 from vegetable sources, such as flaxseed oil. The body can form these fats(EPA and DHA) from alpha-linolenic acid(ALA), this conversion is believed to be inefficient in many people.

What are the reported uses of Fish Oil?

• Crohn's disease


• Diabetes(Type 1 and 2)


• Dysmenorrhea(Painful menstruation)


• Eczema, Psoriasis


• Hypertension(High blood pressure)


• High Triglycerides


• Memory enhancement


• Rheumatoid arthritis

Please note: There are other uses, however the research is inconclusive.

Recommended dosage of Fish oil is 750-1000 mg. of the total EPA plus DHA 3 times a day. For example, look at your serving size of a specific product and take the amount of EPA and DHA, add the two fatty acids up and you need 750-1000 mg. and take the specific serving amount 3 times a day.

Check with Doctor and/or Pharmacist if you take anticoagulants(coumadin, lovenox, heparin), aspirin, aspirin-containing products, NSAIDS(motrin,aleve,ibuprofen,advil etc..), antiplatelet agents, insulin, oral hypoglycemics.

Vitamin D Depeletion

There are different active forms of Vitamin D: Vitamin D2(ergocalciferol), vitamin D3(cholecalciferol), calcitriol(1,25 dihydroxy cholecalciferol). The two major forms are vitamin D2(ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3(cholecalciferol). Vitamin D is manufactured by the body, this is accomplished by the sun's ultraviolet rays through a series of reactions which results in the most active form 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol(calcitriol). Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus which is important for the growth of bones and teeth.

What medications deplete the body of Vitamin D?

• Barbiturates
• Carbamazepine
• Cholestyramine Resin
• Cimetidine
• Colestipol
• Corticosteroids
• Ethosuximide
• Famotidine
• Fosphenytoin
• Isoniazide
• Methsuximide
• Mineral Oil
• Nizatidine
• Phenytoin
• Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate
• Ranitidine Hydrochloride
• Rifampin

What are reported uses of Vitamin D?

• Crohn's disease
• Epilepsy during anticonvulsant therapy
• Hearing loss
• Osteoporosis
• Psoriasis
• Rickets
• Scleroderma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Diabetes(type 1 and 2)
• Cancer(Prostate, Breast, and Colon)

Recommended Dietary Allowance is 400 international units/day, there is some evidence that elderly people take 800 to 1,000 units per day for maintaining bone density and preventing fractures. Vitamin D should be included in a persons routine lab work when visiting their doctor, because of the increasing evidence of its benefits as indicated above.