A multi-year Dutch study published in 2010, for example, showed a 62% lower risk of fatal heart attack in people consuming even a modest amount of EPA and DHA (about 234 mg per day) from fish as compared to those consuming little (about 40 mg per day)

So how do your supplements compare?
The following Omega-3 Supplements contained the claimed amounts of bioactive Omega-3 (EPA & DHA) and also passed the purity and freshness tests. None contained detectable levels of toxins:                (*indicates better bang for the buck)

Advocare Omegaplex*
Berkley & Jensen Natural Extra Strength Fish Oil*
Carlson Super Omega 3*
CVS Pharmacy*
Eniva Nutraceutics Efacor*
GNC Fish Body Oils*
GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil*
Health from the Sea PFO*
Iceland Health Omega*
Integrative Therapeutics, Inc.
Jarrow Formulas Max*
Life Extension*
Master Omega-3*
Mega Smarts for Kids
Minami Nutrition MorDHA OMEGA-3-I.Q.*
Mommy’s Bliss*
Natural Factors RxOmega-3*
Nature Made Omega-3
Nature’s Bounty*
Nature’s Sunshine*
New Chapter Supercritical*
Nordic Naturals *
Now Omega-3*
Nutramax Laboratories, Inc*
Nutri-Supreme Research*
OmegaBrite*
OmegaGel Concentrate *
Origin Natural Fish Oil*
Pharmanex MarineOmega
Pure Encapsulations*
Puritan’s Pride *
Shaklee Omega Guard*
Sundown Cholesterol Free Fish Oil*
Swanson EFA’s Superior Essential Fatty acids*
Twinlab Omega-3 Fish oil*
USANA Biomega*
Vitamin World Naturally Inspired Omega-3
Weil — Andrew Weil, M.D. Omega-3 Complex*

The following products tested poorly:

Kirkland Signature Enteric Coated Fish Oil 1700 mg Concentrated Fish Oil
Lipiderm International Veterinary Sciences (for dogs)

This review was conducted by ConsumerLab. Peak Performance distributes only third party tested and professional grade potency supplements.

The current recommendations for Vitamin D intake are about 1000 IU per day. This is equivalent to 10 cups of milk. Other sources of Vitamin D are salmon and sardines and of course sunshine. Although more research is needed to determine the ideal amount of vitamin D, the current recommendation is that you get 1000 IU of vitamin D from your diet or an inexpensive supplement plus get 10-15 minutes of sunshine per day. Due to our climate, many people do not get enough vitamin D during the fall and winter months so a Vitamin D supplement during these months would be recommended.

A study in 2007 found that postmenopausal women who took 1000 IU of Vitamin D plus Calcium had their cancer risk reduced by a half versus those who took the placebo or calcium alone. Other studies have shown similar benefits.

Vitamin D is free in the summer! Light skinned individuals who spend about 15 minutes in the sunshine can get several thousand IU (3,000-10,000 IU) of Vitamin D while darker skinned individuals would need more like an hour of exposure to get the same amount of Vitamin D.

So what do we recommend?
1) Get at least 1000 IU of Vitamin D from your diet (milk, sardines, salmon, etc) or take a supplement.
2) Get at least 10-15 minutes of sunshine exposure per day
3) If you cannot get enough sunshine exposure then take an additional 1000 IU supplement

Please check with one of our chiropractors or your family doctor before taking supplements.