If you read a few fish oil reviews

If you read a few fish oil reviews, you may be surprised by what consumers have to say. Many supplements are designed to improve your long term health. So, it is hard to judge what benefit that you are getting. While omega-3 fatty acids (the nutritional value of fish oils) are important for your long term health, there are some benefits that are noticeable, almost right away.

You might be aware of the potential benefits to your heart, as well as the reduced risk of chronic and life threatening illnesses. You might not have been aware of the benefit to your brain power, your joints, your sleep or your mood. Those are some of the things that you should notice right away.

I've read a lot of fish oil reviews over the years. I've tried a variety of different brands, too. There is definitely a difference in quality. But, one thing that you cannot judge simply by taking a product is the purity of the oils.

They must be free of contaminants like mercury, lead and cancer-causing chemicals. Investigative reporters have found that many brands are, in fact, contaminated.

How can you be sure?

Visit the manufacturers website. They should post their "Certificate of Analysis" or COA. This is an analysis done by an independent laboratory. All contaminants should be listed with the results of "none detected". The COA will also tell you about freshness.

If not processed quickly and properly, fish oils quickly become rancid. Rancid oils are absolutely full of free radicals. Your goal is to reduce the number of free radical molecules that are in the cells of your body. You do not want to add to that load.

The COA will list the "total oxidation". That indicates how fresh the oils are. The Council for Responsible Nutrition allows a total oxidation of 26. The better companies have higher standards, allowing a maximum of 17.

When you read fish oil reviews and customers complain about fishy burps or repeating, the cause is oxidation and rancidity. Oils that are not oxidized do not cause the repeat.

If you currently have some capsules in your home, you can put them to the smell test. Simply cut a capsule in half and sniff. If it smells "fishy", you might want to stop taking it. It should smell something like the ocean. If it smells like lemons or limes, the manufacturer has added an artificial flavor to mask the smell and taste of spoilage.

Fish oil reviews can provide some useful information, but the COA and your nose can provide even more.

You owe it to yourself and your family to use the purest and the safest omega -3 fish oil .I look out for these main criteras purity, freshness and high DHA content.