The Interaction Between Omega 3 Fish Oil and Digestion

There is a common side effective produced by the interaction between omega 3 fish oil and digestion that many people are familiar with: flatulence and fishy burps. But what these people may not know is that these unpleasant digestive side effects can be eliminated if the supplement they are taking is free of commonly-occurring impurities. These impurities are generally classified as "marine liquids."

These liquids are created when the fish are steamed as a way to extract their oil. As everyone knows, oil and water don't mix and if the manufacturer is too hurried to separate and eliminate the unwanted liquid, you end up with a "fish juice" that tends to ferment once its placed inside a capsule.

It's not just the fermentation that causes problems. These sealed liquids also become rancid. Some of the cheapest brands of fish oil will have a noticeable odor...something similar to dog food.

If you are taking a normal dose you won't need to worry about becoming sick with vomiting and diarrhea as a result of the contamination. However, it's likely you'll experience fish burps and farts.

Now, not all brands of fish oil will be tainted by "marine liquids." It will depend on how the fish oil has been processed.

One of the more powerful methods for preventing the contaminating mixture of marine liquids and fish oil is to soak ground-up fish in a bath of solvent called hexanol. Then the contents of the solvent bath are put through an evaporative process which leaves behind generally-pure omega three essential fatty acids.

While there is usually no danger of contamination from the toxic solvent, there is a much better process for extracting unwanted marine liquids.

A method known as CO2 extraction is now being implemented by several fish oil supplement producers.

One company, Xtend-life of New Zealand, subjects their catches of cold-water fish to pressurized carbon dioxide. Under extreme pressure, CO2 becomes a liquid which is capable of dissolving the essential fatty acids known as EPA an DHA. At the same time, mercury and other heavy metals, along with water, are left behind.

So what happens to the CO2? Well, The carbon dioxide is extracted into a holding chamber and the pressure returned to normal. Once again under normal pressure the liquid CO2 returns to a gaseous state, leaving behind the purified fish oil.

Not only does this process result in the highest quality fish oil, but the carbon dioxide can be retained and utilized again at a later date.

This is a highly-sophisticated process that not many producers have mastered for their production. Fortunately, for those that do, they are able to provide their customers with a burpless product with a high concentration of beneficial nutrients. In the end, you get more value for your dollar and don't have to deal with the results of a bad interaction between omega 3 fish oil and digestion.

Ultimately, if you want the best outcomes, you have to select the right product.