True or false: Fish oil supplements can contain mercury

Fish oil supplements are very popular among individuals who wish to reap the health benefits of seafood products without having to eat these foods on a regular basis. But could these supplements contain the pollutants found in the flesh of some species of fish?

The benefits of fish-source fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, have received high praise in the past few years. Eating two fish meals per week could help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and is therefore recommended by several medical associations.

Some people worry that supplements may contain contaminants, but the studies performed to date on widely available products have shown that they contain little or no mercury, dioxins or PCBs. One reason for this is that most manufacturers use fish species that are lower on the food chain, like cod and sardines, which accumulate less mercury. Furthermore, many companies distil their oils to help eliminate contaminants.

You can therefore take fish oil supplements without fear and thus reap all their health benefits.