posted
Hi, I was wondering if some fish oils contain ALA as I thought I read that? Can fish oils stir up heavy metals?
I have heard wonderful things about fish oil but wasn't sure if there can be any side effects. Also, I am assuming you have to go with an expensive brand to avoid mercury?
Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks, Ann
-------------------- If you keep doing nothing...nothing changes!
Abxnomore
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posted
I don't think I have ever seen ALA in fish oil but, of course, real the label. Yes, you should buy a good quality one to assure that it's pure and free from mercury and other contaminants.
Metagenics has a good one that says "Purity Certified" and it's called EPA-DHA extra strength and it's enteric coated, which is the best kind.
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posted
Well someone suggested taking fish oil for anxiety and focus. Was wondering if anyone has seen benfits with taking it?
I guess that is canola oil that contains ALA...weird. Every since the person on here gave the warning about ALA I have been concerned and dont want to accidentally take it.
Abxnomore
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Some studies show fish oils help with depression and concentration. Probably because it contains DHA, which is important for brain function among other things.
Your brain needs DHA NEW YORK, NY. Dr. Barbara Levine, Professor of Nutrition in Medicine at Cornell University, sounds the alarm concerning a totally inadequate intake of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) by most Americans. DHA is the building block of human brain tissue and is particularly abundant in the grey matter of the brain and the retina. Low levels of DHA have recently been associated with depression, memory loss, dementia, and visual problems. DHA is particularly important for fetuses and infants; the DHA content of the infant's brain triples during the first three months of life. Optimal levels of DHA are therefore crucial for pregnant and lactating mothers. Unfortunately, the average DHA content of breast milk in the United States is the lowest in the world, most likely because Americans eat comparatively little fish. Making matters worse is the fact that the United States is the only country in the world where infant formulas are not fortified with DHA. This despite a 1995 recommendation by the World Health Organization that all baby formulas should provide 40 mg of DHA per kilogram of infant body weight. Dr. Levine believes that postpartum depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and low IQs are all linked to the dismally low DHA intake common in the United States. Dr. Levine also points out that low DHA levels have been linked to low brain serotonin levels which again are connected to an increased tendency to depression, suicide, and violence. DHA is abundant in marine phytoplankton and cold-water fish and nutritionists now recommend that people consume two to three servings of fish every week to maintain DHA levels. If this is not possible, Dr. Levine suggests supplementing with 100 mg/day of DHA. Levine, Barbara S. Most frequently asked questions about DHA. Nutrition Today, Vol. 32, November/December 1997, pp. 248-49
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posted
Yes, some one on here posted a warning about ALA saying something like careful taking it you may end up in a straight jacket and that they had seen people go nuts on it...kinda scary so was just wondering.
-------------------- If you keep doing nothing...nothing changes!
Are there any postings or sites to check that out. I would like to read something about that.
I ask, because I start my morning with Flaxseed meal mixed with 4 oz of light apple juice and water.
I have only read good things about alpha liaolenic acid, so I am surprised there is so much bad.
Are they talking about an excess of ALA?
Thanks,
lifeline
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Abxnomore
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ALA is a heavy metal mobilizer, among other things.
Some people could have problems with it, especially in high doses, if they have heavy metal toxiticy, which most of us do because we live in a toxic world.
NAC usually is the agent that binds to ALA that carries it out of the body, but it's much more complex than that.
One should not go near the subject of heavy metal removal without a skilled professional, as it can make you feel like you are losing your mind if it is not properly being detoxed and removed out of the body.
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gwb
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I use flaxseed often in my yogurt. Now I find out this might not be good. Why might this not be good for a lyme patient?
Abxnomore
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It's news to me that flax seed is not good for you.
I hope to find out why. You should buy them whole from an establishment that has a high turnover to ensure they are not rancid (that's bad for you) and grind them and keep them in the freezer.
The dark ones are better then the golden ones.
I hope you are eating a plain organic yogurt with no sugar, fruit or honey added.
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gwb
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Abxnomore, yes, I eat plain yogurt (goat yogurt) with no sweeteners added. I just put flax seeds in it and raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds sometimes too.
I do keep mine in the fridge but not the freezer. If it's better to put them in the freezer I'll do that.
Abxnomore
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Sound delicious and healthy to me. I like to keep mine in the freezer but I really don't know if it's more effective than keeping them in the refrigerator.
So what to you mean about flax seeds being bad for you. The only thing I have heard is that flax oil is not recommended for men over 40 because of prostate issues, but flax seed is recommended because you want to lignans from the seed.
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gwb
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I guess I misunderstood where one of the above posts said that ALA is bad for lyme patients. Since flax seeds have ALA it made me wonder if it's not good for us.
Does that only apply to the oil and not the seed? Still learning as you can see.
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Abxnomore
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Now you have me confused. I'm sure the original poster was referring to alpha lipoic acid (ALA) not alpha-linolenic acid, which is found in flax seeds.
posted
abxnomore is correct... "ALA" in reference to oil is "alpha linolenic acid", its in flax seed oil an is converted to EPA/DHA in the body. "ALA" in reference to "alpha lipoic acid" is a thiol and according to some reasearch referenced by Dr. Andy Cutler can act as a heavy metal chelator. They are very different things but are abreviated the same way.
Fish oil can contain contaminants including mercury and PCBs etc.. so you should always check to make sure the brand you are using is molecularly distilled and then tested to make sure the contaminants have been removed. You should also pay attention to what the "detection level" is when they say "none detected". Because if its not zero, there is then a leeway where they can claim they can't find any contaminants, but its just below a relatively high "detection level" - which basically means there may still be some in there...
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