Prescription Fish Oil vs. Supplements: a Dietitian’s Perspective

Guest blog by Amy Fitzpatrick, MS, RD.

Omega-3: Nature’s Panacea

Omega-3 fats are one of the hottest buzz words in nutrition today.

The reason: these essential fats are backed by a wealth of scientific research with more evidence growing daily for their multiple benefits.

Everything you Need to Know About Prescription Fish Oil

Part 1: Do you Need Prescription Fish Oil Pills? Part 2: How Different is Prescription Fish Oil from Supplements? Part 3:A Side-by-Side Comparison of Prescription Fish Oil (Lovaza) versus Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil Supplements Part 4: Prescription Fish Oil vs. Supplements: A Dietitian’s Perspective

If you’re still not sure what these fats are and what they do, then it’s time to jump on board and learn how these “essential” nutrients can transform your health.

As a Registered Dietitian I’ve been following the fish oil and omega-3 research for over a decade, which clearly shows that these healthy fats provide head-to-toe nutrition for your body.

• Want to help reduce your risk of heart disease? Check.
• Need to lubricate your joints, help reduce cartilage degeneration and squelch inflammation? Check.
• What about power your brain and boost your mood? Yep, got that covered too.

Omega-3 fats are even being studied for their ability to help your body burn that unwanted fat you’ve been struggling to lose!

Seem too good to be true? Well, not this time. Omega-3 fats are one of nature’s most powerful bioactive compounds that truly have the potential to revolutionize health care.

Big Pharma Jumpin’ on the Omega-3 Bandwagon

The natural products industry has known about the power of omega-3’s and has been offering a convenient source of these healthy fats from fish oil for decades.

In fact, fish oil has ranked as one of the top selling dietary supplements for years.

Why? Because it’s effective and safe.

Now, after decades of research, better fish oil purification techniques, and the recent availability of higher quality fish oil, the pharmaceutical industry has decided to grab a piece of the pie, with Lovaza. And understandably so, since the baby boomer generation continues to search for natural ways to prevent their ills.

Is it because the drugs they’ve been taking for years just treat the symptoms and not the actual “root” cause of their problems? Maybe.

No single drug available that can compare to fish oil’s multi-prong attack in the fight against Cardiovascular disease, the #1 killer of men and women in America today.

But, what I do know is that the average person understands that drugs can come with some hefty side effects and they want natural alternatives. Don’t get me wrong, Big Pharma has come up with some pretty amazing drugs that can and will continue to save lives.

But, now, even the pharmaceutical industry can’t ignore the power and safety of omega-3 rich fish oil. They’re well aware that there is no single drug available that can compare to fish oil’s multi-prong attack in the fight against Cardiovascular disease, the #1 killer of men and women in America today.

Prescription Fish Oil or Supplements?

So, how do you decide whether to purchase a fish oil supplement or the pharmaceutical, prescription fish oil? For most people, it comes down to convenience and cost.

When high quality pharmaceutical grade fish oil can easily be purchased online or at your local health food store, why pay for an office visit at your doctor and still pay more for a prescription fish oil?

Sure, there are some low quality fish oil supplements on the market. But, if you’re reading this blog, you’re learning how to choose a pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement and know that many are purified using the same techniques Big Pharma uses.

Most importantly, some pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements offer more omega-3 per pill and cost far less than the Rx version.

Any difference in efficacy and safety? Nope, same bioactive omega-3 fats, just fewer pills daily and more money in your pocket.

I know which one I’d choose.

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Amy Fitzpatrick MS, RD is a corporate dietitian and consultant to the dietary supplement industry. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nutrition and has over a decade of experience in the health and nutrition industry as a nutritionist, writer, researcher and educator. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the Nutrition in Complementary Care dietetic practice group and has served as adjunct faculty at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, one of the nation’s leading natural health sciences institutes. She is a nutrition expert, published author, and media contact for the natural products industry. Her passion is helping people understand the link between nutrition and disease prevention.

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