Omega 3 fatty acids (which come from fish oil) is comprised of docosahexaenoic (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic (EPA). It has been proven that DHA and EPA are greatly beneficial to human health by reducing the risk of heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms, strokes, hardening of the arteries, and blood pressure. It is recommended that you either consume fish regularly in meals or take fish oil capsules.

These acids are highly recommended by the US National Institutes of Health for there conditions, namely, Hypertriglyceridemia, Secondary cardiovascular disease prevention and High blood pressure. It also lists 27 other condition where fish oil could be of benefit, though the evidence in these cases is not of the highest level.

Fish oil has also been shown to have a positive impact on the personal behavior. In some studies done on prisioners of violent crimes in England and Finland there has been a noticed lower level of fatty acids. There are also some safety concerns though. A consumption of more than 3 grams of fish oil a day can lead to bleeding.

Unlike popular perception, fishes don't by themselves produce the omega 3 fatty acids. Instead, these fatty acids get accumulated in their bodies. Micro algae produce these fatty acids. Fishes eat micro algae and that's how the accumulation of omega 3 fatty acids in the fishes starts. Some bigger fishes eat other fishes and if these happen to have consumed micro algae, the big fishes will accumulate omega 3 fatty acids.

Since most of the fish from which we get the above-mentioned acids are at the top of the food chain, they end up accumulating a lot of toxic substances too, like mercury. The FDA recommends limiting the consumption of fish due to the possibility of getting too many toxins. So how can we then benefit from the numerous benefits that accrue from fish oil? A lot of people have found their answer in fish oil supplements.

These supplements are available in the form of fish oil capsules. While choosing fish oil capsules for your family, its best to go in for a product that is specifically drawn from a single species. Select a brand which processes fish species which are graded well for human consumption and are guaranteed to be toxin free. To minimize the likelihood of contaminants and hidden vitamin A and D, you'll want a company that presses their fish oil only from the flesh of healthy fish.