We’ve all heard of the supposed benefits of fish oil for providing healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. But what most of us haven’t heard is where the fish oil that goes into the bottles and capsules of supplements actually comes from. Unfortunately, its origins are traced back to the menhaden fish, one of the most pivotal fish in the entire ocean food chain. In fact, many other types of fish prey on menhaden because they, themselves, are unable to synthesize omega-3, something that the menhaden produces in abundance.
According to an Op-Ed piece in the New York Times, “Menhaden are entering the final losing phases of a century-and-a-half fight for survival that began when humans started turning huge schools into fertilizer and lamp oil… Today, hundreds of billions of pounds of them are converted into lipstick, salmon feed, paint, “buttery spread,” salad dressing and, yes, some of those omega-3 supplements you have been forcing on your children. All of these products can be made with more environmentally benign substitutes, but menhaden are still used in great (though declining) numbers because they can be caught and processed cheaply.”
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Interesting article. I have some articles that I’ve written on fish oil too on my website http://www.myherbalsupplement.com – I’d love if you checked it out.
Have you read Garrett Hardin’s “Tragedy of the Commons”? Great insights into the question of overfishing and resource exhaustion. I the question of fish oil, I have been looking for a long time for info on what is the consensus on fish oil dosages. I found a page with comprehensive information at http://www.buy-fish-oil.com/how-much-fish-oil-dosage-per-day-should-i-take/ and thought I would share it with you. I understand that in Finland and also in Italy people receive fish oil supplements for free. Do you happen to know if there is a movement underway to do the same in the U.S.?
Have a terrific 2010!
Avery