Comments on: Omega3 and DHA from Algae Instead of Fish Oils http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/ Green and Natural Parenting Thu, 24 May 2012 15:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Joe http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10239 Joe Mon, 24 May 2010 10:02:58 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10239 Mercury was (and still is but in a controlled manor) to separate gold from ore in the old manual worked mines in the western states. In California, the mercury runs off into the ocean where the fish are caught and sold for consumption. Eating one meal of swordfish caught in the San Fransisco bay area will raise blood mercury levels an alarming rate that apparently takes a month to get back to normal. From what I've read, eating fish from the Bay is recommend only once a month due to the high levels of mercury in them, which as I explained earlier comes from run-off of hundred year old mines in the mountains. Mercury was (and still is but in a controlled manor) to separate gold from ore in the old manual worked mines in the western states. In California, the mercury runs off into the ocean where the fish are caught and sold for consumption. Eating one meal of swordfish caught in the San Fransisco bay area will raise blood mercury levels an alarming rate that apparently takes a month to get back to normal. From what I’ve read, eating fish from the Bay is recommend only once a month due to the high levels of mercury in them, which as I explained earlier comes from run-off of hundred year old mines in the mountains.

]]> By: Arcane http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10238 Arcane Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:51:40 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10238 ^^ In response to the above, how do you know it was mercury poisioning from the fish oils? Im still very mystified as to why all these westeners keep getting mercury poisioning from fish and so called fish supplements, when in JAPAN, where im from, I have never once heard of anyone getting mercury poisioning from eating fish and or supplements, or anyones hair falling out because of this for that matter. And us japanese eat fish maybe 2/3 times per day, every day, for 365 days per year. All these so called reports I hear seem to come from people in america or europe. There have been incidents of mercury poisioning in japan, but never from eating fish or taking supplements. ^^

In response to the above, how do you know it was mercury poisioning from the fish oils?
Im still very mystified as to why all these westeners keep getting mercury poisioning from fish and so called fish supplements, when in JAPAN, where im from, I have never once heard of anyone getting mercury poisioning from eating fish and or supplements, or anyones hair falling out because of this for that matter. And us japanese eat fish maybe 2/3 times per day, every day, for 365 days per year.

All these so called reports I hear seem to come from people in america or europe.

There have been incidents of mercury poisioning in japan, but never from eating fish or taking supplements.

]]> By: TLC-G Productions http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10237 TLC-G Productions Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:06:04 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10237 I actually got mercury poisoning from taking fish oil supplements- and these were not the super "cheapo" brand either. They were supposed to be one of the top brands that is highly filtrated, etc. etc. I was taking a theraputic dose of 3,000 mg per day for an endocrine disorder. I ended up getting mercury poisoning in 3 months flat- as a result I lost my period for 5 months and ended up with a yeast infection that lasted just as long (I was on diflucan for 5 months before I got any relief from the yeast). My hair fell out in sheets. It was truly horrifying. I now believe that fish oil supplements are pure poison. I resumed my period only after starting to take algae based supplements instead (spirulina and chlorella). But I have to admit, after my experiences with fish oil, I have an irrational fear of those too! I actually got mercury poisoning from taking fish oil supplements- and these were not the super “cheapo” brand either. They were supposed to be one of the top brands that is highly filtrated, etc. etc. I was taking a theraputic dose of 3,000 mg per day for an endocrine disorder. I ended up getting mercury poisoning in 3 months flat- as a result I lost my period for 5 months and ended up with a yeast infection that lasted just as long (I was on diflucan for 5 months before I got any relief from the yeast). My hair fell out in sheets. It was truly horrifying. I now believe that fish oil supplements are pure poison. I resumed my period only after starting to take algae based supplements instead (spirulina and chlorella). But I have to admit, after my experiences with fish oil, I have an irrational fear of those too!

]]> By: Vicki http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10236 Vicki Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:31:01 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10236 CYNDI, After reading your post, I emailed a contact at VeganEssentials.com. In a very prompt, kind (and lengthy) reply, here are a couple of things I discovered, which I thought would be of most interest to you and others following this post: 1) "The hexane isn't carried over into the final product, and in the small amount of DHA oil that needs to be taken (less than fish oil, as it is pure DHA), it should be of minimal concern unless someone had a specific reason that they absolutely needed to avoid hexane due to an allergy or something of that sort." 2) For those completely opposed to any form of hexane-extracted DHA, they do stock one brand that is imported from Europe (manufactured in France and Switzerland, nothing from China), that is a DHA/EPA supplement which is not hexane extracted. It is the V-Pure brand DHA/EPA, which is sold on their site: http://www.nexternal.com/vegane/Product2098 Hope that helps! It did me. :) CYNDI,

After reading your post, I emailed a contact at VeganEssentials.com. In a very prompt, kind (and lengthy) reply, here are a couple of things I discovered, which I thought would be of most interest to you and others following this post:

1) “The hexane isn’t carried over into the final product, and in the small amount of DHA oil that needs to be taken (less than fish oil, as it is pure DHA), it should be of minimal concern unless someone had a specific reason that they absolutely needed to avoid hexane due to an allergy or something of that sort.”

2) For those completely opposed to any form of hexane-extracted DHA, they do stock one brand that is imported from Europe (manufactured in France and Switzerland, nothing from China), that is a DHA/EPA supplement which is not hexane extracted. It is the V-Pure brand DHA/EPA, which is sold on their site:
http://www.nexternal.com/vegane/Product2098

Hope that helps! It did me. :)

]]> By: CYNDI http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10235 CYNDI Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:57:54 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10235 My naturopathic doctor wanted me to stay with the flax oil instead of algae supplements for DHA/AHA. Apparently, the manufacturers of the algae supplements use a chemical process to extract the oil for these products. Even organic companies use hexane and chlorine-extracted algal oils. This is also a concern for DHA/AHA in baby formula. Martek is one of the biggest producers of this type of oil and they describe their process as such: "The oil is then separated from the dried biomass by hexane extraction and centrifugation and/or filtration, followed by winterization. The hexane phase undergoes additional centrifugation/filtration to remove solids then the winterized oil is heated and treated with acid. Subsequently, the oil is treated with caustic, centrifuged, bleached and deodorized" This chemical process turned me against the use of these products. I am currently searching for a company who does not use toxic means for extraction. My naturopathic doctor wanted me to stay with the flax oil instead of algae supplements for DHA/AHA. Apparently, the manufacturers of the algae supplements use a chemical process to extract the oil for these products. Even organic companies use hexane and chlorine-extracted algal oils. This is also a concern for DHA/AHA in baby formula. Martek is one of the biggest producers of this type of oil and they describe their process as such:
“The oil is then separated from the dried biomass by hexane extraction and centrifugation and/or filtration, followed by winterization. The hexane phase undergoes additional centrifugation/filtration to remove solids then the winterized oil is heated and treated with acid. Subsequently, the oil is treated with caustic, centrifuged, bleached and deodorized”

This chemical process turned me against the use of these products. I am currently searching for a company who does not use toxic means for extraction.

]]> By: Melynda http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10234 Melynda Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:27:28 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10234 Great idea, thanks for posting. I take the flaxseed oil since I'm a vegetarian, but maybe algae is better...I plan to give it a try when I'm done breastfeeding (after reading that last comment). Great idea, thanks for posting. I take the flaxseed oil since I’m a vegetarian, but maybe algae is better…I plan to give it a try when I’m done breastfeeding (after reading that last comment).

]]> By: Caitlin J http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10233 Caitlin J Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:22:29 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10233 I posted on the last similar topic about the added synthetic vitamins in fish oil, and had to add one more thought on this post. Super green foods have a detoxifying effect on the body and for this reason my ND told me to stay away from all of these while I am breastfeeding. I do give them to my 3 yr-old when I can, but I'm waiting until I'm done nursing to take them for myself. Have you heard anything on this regarding the algae? I would think that anyone who was pregnant would also not want to take them? I posted on the last similar topic about the added synthetic vitamins in fish oil, and had to add one more thought on this post. Super green foods have a detoxifying effect on the body and for this reason my ND told me to stay away from all of these while I am breastfeeding. I do give them to my 3 yr-old when I can, but I’m waiting until I’m done nursing to take them for myself. Have you heard anything on this regarding the algae? I would think that anyone who was pregnant would also not want to take them?

]]> By: Linda http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10232 Linda Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:00:44 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10232 Yay! What a great, safe solution. Thanks for finding this for us!!! Yay! What a great, safe solution. Thanks for finding this for us!!!

]]> By: Sheri http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10231 Sheri Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:17:15 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10231 Great post, Tiffany! A good follow-up to your fish oil post, and great info for any vegans out there (or anyone wnting to avoid fish oil). We are a family of 7 high-raw whole foods vegans. We take O-Mega Zen3. It costs a fortune for a bottle (and we burn through it fast!), but it's good stuff and so important for my kids' development. We've tried Udo's DHA Oil Blend also, though my kids prefer the O-Mega. Good info! Great post, Tiffany! A good follow-up to your fish oil post, and great info for any vegans out there (or anyone wnting to avoid fish oil).

We are a family of 7 high-raw whole foods vegans. We take O-Mega Zen3. It costs a fortune for a bottle (and we burn through it fast!), but it’s good stuff and so important for my kids’ development. We’ve tried Udo’s DHA Oil Blend also, though my kids prefer the O-Mega.

Good info!

]]> By: Living A Whole Life http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10230 Living A Whole Life Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:29:08 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10230 Awesome posts! It's a reminder to me that my non-fish-loving family may need some fish oil or even better Spiruline/Chlorella! Just when you think you might be balanced! :) Thanks! Karla Awesome posts! It’s a reminder to me that my non-fish-loving family may need some fish oil or even better Spiruline/Chlorella! Just when you think you might be balanced! :) Thanks!

Karla

]]> By: Shylo http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10229 Shylo Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:36:35 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10229 I'm a fan of Udo's Blend of DHA and ALA. I think the one I use is a blend of flax, algae and rose hips. You can get it refrigerated at whole foods. I'm a pregnant vegan, and mix this into my oatmeal in the mornings. You can also use it in salad dressings or put it in smoothies. Before I went vegan, I tried really hard to take fish oil, but even the capsules made me burp up tuna taste all day. Yikes. I’m a fan of Udo’s Blend of DHA and ALA. I think the one I use is a blend of flax, algae and rose hips. You can get it refrigerated at whole foods. I’m a pregnant vegan, and mix this into my oatmeal in the mornings. You can also use it in salad dressings or put it in smoothies.

Before I went vegan, I tried really hard to take fish oil, but even the capsules made me burp up tuna taste all day. Yikes.

]]> By: Rhonda http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10228 Rhonda Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:06:30 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10228 Thanks Tiffany! We are unable to use fish oils b/c our daughter is allergic to fish in addition to many other foods. She can have algae though so here we come! Thanks Tiffany! We are unable to use fish oils b/c our daughter is allergic to fish in addition to many other foods. She can have algae though so here we come!

]]> By: Miss Brittani http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10227 Miss Brittani Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:12:58 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10227 This was very informative. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us! This was very informative. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us!

]]> By: Julie http://naturemoms.com/blog/2009/02/04/omega3-and-dha-from-algae-instead-of-fish-oils/#comment-10226 Julie Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:48:48 +0000 http://www.naturemoms.com/blog/?p=2015#comment-10226 Thanks so much for sharing such good information. I am currently 9.5 weeks pregnant and have been taking Carlson's Fish Oil from Whole Foods well before I was pregnant. Now do you think this is something that I should start avoiding or is it okay? Also, what do you recommend for pregnant women who want to make sure they are getting plenty of Omega's and all those other nutrients that fish bring. Thank you in advance!! Thanks so much for sharing such good information. I am currently 9.5 weeks pregnant and have been taking Carlson’s Fish Oil from Whole Foods well before I was pregnant. Now do you think this is something that I should start avoiding or is it okay? Also, what do you recommend for pregnant women who want to make sure they are getting plenty of Omega’s and all those other nutrients that fish bring. Thank you in advance!!

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