Fish has been a common source of Omega-3 for people. However, industrialization has brought ocean pollution, which accompanied contamination of the fish to the discussion. Once PCBs, mercury, and heavy metals are in our body, they are hard to be expelled and when these contaminants are accumulated, they create many problems. Because it becomes way more harder for pregnant women and children to expel them, benefits driven from fish consumption may be exceeded by its harm.
Although Omega-3 is very essential for human body, unexpected dangers such as mercury addiction discourage direct fish consumption. Recently, intake of Omega-3 condensed capsule became the safest way to consume Omega-3. These capsules go through multiple tablet production steps, which lower contaminants and highly condense necessary Omega-3. Capsules have advantage of easy intakes of daily requirement of Omega-3.
Initial kick off of Scientists' interest in Omega-3 is Greenlander’s low rate of cardiovascular disease cases. After careful observation of their diet, they found out that their food is abundant in Omega-3. At that time, their main source was not fish, but seals. From this research, modern scientists approved better quality of Omega-3 in seals than fish.
The most concerning problem of polyunsaturated fatty acids is the acidity. If acidity enters our body, it affects our internal control biochemically. Acidity causes heart diseases and cancer through damaging DNA, and ages our body fast.
Although oxidation inhibitors stored in our body function as protectors, excess amount of acidity could use up all of the oxidation inhibitors. People who have taken fish oil for a while will be deficient in Vitamin E, the major oxidation inhibitor. However, seal oils outperform fish oils, as they do not oxidize easily.
Dr. Phillip Davis from Memorial University in Newfoundland has discovered that EPA, DHA, and DPA content proportions found in breast milk are similar to those found in seals. Breast milk is the only natural source for infants’ development and contains right amount of nutrition needed by infants. Because of that, absorption rate is superior to fish oil. Also, when compared to seal oil, fish oil has relatively low content of DHA than that of EPA. DHA is known as a more effective source of Omega-3 as it contains more unsaturated synthesis, and longer carbon chains than EPA. The fact that tissues of brain and retina are consisted of massive DHA, support the idea that seal oils are very beneficial. Also, American Heart Association reported that DHA is more efficient in lowering blood pressure than EPA. DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid, 22:5n-3) of Omega-3 is rarely contained in fish oil, but seal oil holds EPA and DHA that are in same proportion as in breast milk.
Dr. Bruce J Holub of world’s renowned agricultural and marine school at University of Guelph in Ontario has announced the result of his experimentation on effect if DPA through mouse study. 16 mice as subjects, they were divided into two groups: one group consuming corn oil and the other consuming DPA. After 5 days, DPA consumed mice had low level of cholesterol and tryglyceride than ones with corn oil. (See Image)
Dr. Phillip Davis, the biochemistry professor at Memorial University in Newfoundland, said that his interest in DPA in seal oil lies in his repetitive discovery of DPA found in tissues of normal human body. Also, he confirmed positive effect of DAP, quoting "As a biochemist, I believe that a substance with considerable amount in our body should have reasons for existence. That is why we are investigating how important DPA is to our tissues."
Excluding Omega-3, while fish oil is saturated fatty acids, seal oil is all monounsaturated fatty acids. (See Image) As noted earlier, monounsaturated fatty acids are included in olive oil and other Mediterranean diets, and are approved to have effects of oxidization inhibitor and heart disease prevention. It also tells that seal oil contains other helpful fats other than Omega-3.
