Mercury and Toxin-Free Algae Derived Omega 3 Fatty Acids Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are essential fatty acids. Several studies have suggested a benefit in supplementation with these fatty acids. I personally think the jury is still out because most of the research has been conducted on people relatively poor diets. Whether these findings will remain positive when studying more health conscious people is not known. At relatively low doses there seems to be no side effects. I would not suggest taking high amounts (over 500 mg per day) of these fatty acids unless you have an autoimmune disorder. Most often you’ll hear these fatty acids associated with eating fish. I’d like to discourage you from thinking of fish as the only source of omega 3 fatty acids. Since we are becoming aware that many fish are concentrating high amounts of toxins like Mercury, I suggest that you get your DHA from a clean and environmentally sustainable source-- from Algae grown in clean toxin free environment. Autoimmune Disease For those on a plant-based diet without added oils already, then 300-500 mg DHA per day may be effective, otherwise you may need close to 1,000 mg per day. Note that there are no studies looking at this specific recommendation for autoimmune disease, it is merely an educated guess. There are several studies looking at the supplementation of algae derived DHA in other conditions, and no significant side effects have yet been noted. Pregnancy The recommended dosage of DHA is somewhere between 100 and 300 mg per day. Everyone Else Consider 100 mg to 300 mg per day How to Get Algae Derived DHA There are several sources of algae derived DHA, and one also includes EPA. Deva Vegan DHA Vcaps NuTru O-Mega-Zen3 caps and liquid each with 200 or 300mg DHA per pill and less expensive than V-Pure. Vegan Essentials Web-site Dr. Fuhrman has a similar product -- liquid DHA supplement http://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/supplements.aspx V-Pure with DHA 270mg and EPA 75mg from Algae (A new product, with both DHA and EPA. I'm unsure if the amount of EPA is significant or worth the extra cost. But it does begin to address some of the concern that algae products only contained DHA and not EPA) http://www.water4.net/index.htm can also be found on the Vegan Essentials Web-Site If you do choose a fish oil product, I would suggest looking for a pharmaceutical grade product that is third party tested to be free of contaminants. A number of products were pulled last year due to toxins such as dioxin. A few years ago, before the growth of the algae derived DHA products, I was recommending a company called Nordic Naturals. I would suggest doing some research into third party testing and statements on environmental sustainable fish stocks prior to purchasing. Return to Supplements

Mercury and Toxin-Free Algae Derived Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are essential fatty acids. Several studies have suggested a benefit in supplementation with these fatty acids. I personally think the jury is still out because most of the research has been conducted on people relatively poor diets. Whether these findings will remain positive when studying more health conscious people is not known. At relatively low doses there seems to be no side effects. I would not suggest taking high amounts (over 500 mg per day) of these fatty acids unless you have an autoimmune disorder. Most often you’ll hear these fatty acids associated with eating fish. I’d like to discourage you from thinking of fish as the only source of omega 3 fatty acids. Since we are becoming aware that many fish are concentrating high amounts of toxins like Mercury, I suggest that you get your DHA from a clean and environmentally sustainable source-- from Algae grown in clean toxin free environment.

Autoimmune Disease

For those on a plant-based diet without added oils already, then 300-500 mg DHA per day may be effective, otherwise you may need close to 1,000 mg per day. Note that there are no studies looking at this specific recommendation for autoimmune disease, it is merely an educated guess. There are several studies looking at the supplementation of algae derived DHA in other conditions, and no significant side effects have yet been noted.

Pregnancy

The recommended dosage of DHA is somewhere between 100 and 300 mg per day.

Everyone Else

Consider 100 mg to 300 mg per day

How to Get Algae Derived DHA

There are several sources of algae derived DHA, and one also includes EPA.

Deva Vegan DHA Vcaps

NuTru O-Mega-Zen3 caps and liquid

each with 200 or 300mg DHA per pill and less expensive than V-Pure.

Vegan Essentials Web-site

Dr. Fuhrman has a similar product -- liquid DHA supplement

http://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/supplements.aspx

V-Pure with DHA 270mg and EPA 75mg from Algae (A new product, with both DHA and EPA. I'm unsure if the amount of EPA is significant or worth the extra cost. But it does begin to address some of the concern that algae products only contained DHA and not EPA)

http://www.water4.net/index.htm

can also be found on the Vegan Essentials Web-Site

If you do choose a fish oil product, I would suggest looking for a pharmaceutical grade product that is third party tested to be free of contaminants. A number of products were pulled last year due to toxins such as dioxin. A few years ago, before the growth of the algae derived DHA products, I was recommending a company called Nordic Naturals. I would suggest doing some research into third party testing and statements on environmental sustainable fish stocks prior to purchasing.

Return to Supplements