Whether you are a finely tuned athlete, or a weekend warrior, most people will have an injury from time to time. Many people, following an injury, never give their body the chance to fully heal, which then leads to more injuries over time. A lot of our patients have given up some of the activities they love because they can no longer do it because of the injuries sustained.
When trying to figure out what type of fish to eat, there are a couple of things to consider. First, some fish provide more of the omega-3 fatty acids that our body needs. These are typically deep sea fish like salmon, cod and sea bass. Farm raised fish do not provide as much nutritional value.
When looking at fish oil supplements, the question is more about how the oil is produced. If the oil is not prepared correctly, it can become rancid, and not only will it not provide as much benefit, but it could cause you harm. You also need to be aware of the purity of the oil, whether it has contaminants or not. With so many companies producing fish oil today, it is difficult, if not impossible, to know if you are getting a good quality product. Sadly, about all you can do is decide what company you trust to make a good product.
Another thing to consider when looking at fish oil supplements is the ratio of EPA:DHA. Without going too deep into the science of omega-3 fatty acids, I will try to explain what this means. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. DHA (docosahaxaenoic acid) is known to improve brain function. So if you have chronic pain, you would want a fish oil supplement higher in EPA than DHA, typically a 3:2 ratio. On the other hand, if you are looking to improve your cognitive function, look for a DHA:EPA ratio of 3:2 or higher.