CONCERNED ABOUT CONTAMINANTS IN YOUR FISH OILS? YOU SHOULD BE.

One of the most popular supplements on the market is unfortunately the least understood. The humble fish oil varies hugely in price, potency and purity, and it is almost impossible for the consumer to make a wise choice. It benefits many chronic conditions including heart disease, arthritis, auto-immune diseases and mood disorders.   

Fish oils, in capsule or liquid form, may contain heavy metals including mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic. They can also contain dioxin, a carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) which is an industrial pollutant that finishes up in waterways.  A small number of fish oil products are purified to remove these contaminants, but most are not.  Supplements may state ‘mercury tested’ on the label which implies they are mercury-free when they are not. An analysis of one such brand shows it to contain 10 times more mercury than a purified product.  
The reality is that all fish oil supplements in Australia have to be ‘mercury tested’ before they can be marketed, and they must meet the Australian Government standard of mercury levels. This level is not stringent, and one well-known brand contains 100 times more mercury than a purified supplement. But this level is considered ‘acceptable’. One problem with ‘acceptable’ levels of heavy metals is that one person may benefit from one capsule daily, whereas another person with a particular health problem may need to take 6 to 10 capsules daily. The person needing the higher dose will automatically be someone who has more health problems and therefore mercury toxicity is even more of a concern.
There is no government requirement that fish oils be tested for levels of dioxins, leaving the possibility that high levels will not be detected.  A further problem with contaminants is that most capsules described as ‘reflux-free’ or ‘enteric coated’ contain traces of plastics in the coating.
How does the consumer find out about these sources of toxins? It can be difficult. As a Health Practitioner and retailer, I insist that suppliers give me the results of the product analysis.  Nothing on the container makes this information available to consumers. My advice is to follow the recommendation of a qualified practitioner as we are aware of the brands which are purified to remove heavy metals and dioxin, and manufactured free of plastics.

Supplement choice is also confusing because of variations in potency.  Different brands may contain 1000mg per capsule, but one brand may contain twice as much active ingredient per capsule as another.  The amount of EPA and DHA (active ingredients) added together may be only 300 mg per 1000mg, or it may be 500-600mg for the same size capsule. This at least will be shown on the label. If someone buys the lower potency capsules, they will need to take twice as many to get the same result.
High dosages are necessary for an anti-inflammatory action.  This applies when treating arthritis, allergies, auto-immune disease, and cardiovascular disease.  In adults, six (6) high-potency capsules per day are recommended for anti-inflammatory action, which brings much improved pain relief. Many people take only one or two capsules, which will not give adequate pain relief.
Treatment of ADD, ADHD, behavioural problems (children, teenagers and adults) and mood disorders also require high doses. It is crucial to avoid the toxic overload of mercury on the liver, brain and immune system when treating these conditions.
For many purposes smaller dosages are sufficient. One or two purified high potency capsules per day is the recommended dose for cardiovascular health and general wellbeing.
Unsurprisingly, the purer quality high potency capsules are more expensive. This can be offset by the fact that half the dosage is needed. Unfortunately price is usually an indicator of quality with fish oil supplements, because of the additional processing involved to ensure the purity. Quality brands are also ‘nitrogen-flushed’ to prevent oxidation, as all natural oils are at risk of going rancid with exposure to air.
With all these problems, you may well ask whether we should bother with fish oil supplements. My answer is a resounding YES, because the benefits are great, and all the toxicity issues can be avoided with careful choice of the product.  
Trish Clough has been a practising herbalist for more than 30 years. The information in the column is meant for general interest only and should not be considered as medical advice.

HERBAL ANTIBIOTICS

Medicinal Herbs in our Dispensary

Many people choose to use herbal medicines for a variety of illnesses, but they believe if they need antibiotics, then a visit to the doctor is the only option. However, I would claim after 30 years working with herbal medicines, that the majority (but not all) of infections can be successfully treated with a carefully crafted mixture of herbs.  A herbal antibiotic must be individually tailored to suit the person, and must be formulated by a natural therapist with experience in this area of treatment.

The dramatic increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections is a major concern in hospitals currently.  The widespread use of antibiotics is the cause of these mutations in the microbes.  I believe it is essential that prescription antibiotics are used only when absolutely necessary, and it is wise to seek alternative forms of treatment.  A part of the history of overuse has been the prescribing of antibiotics during viral illnesses, for the purpose of preventing a secondary bacterial infection.  Antibiotics do not treat the virus as such, as they are specific against bacteria only.  A more prudent approach would be to monitor the infection, and only use antibiotics if signs of a secondary infection occur.

Herbal antibiotic formulas do not encourage mutations of bacteria, which are unable to develop resistance because of the more complex multiple plant constituents.  On the other hand, a prescription antibiotic consists of a single chemical entity.

There is no one herb that works effectively as an antibiotic treatment on its own.  My tried and true approach is to formulate a combination of herbs. The mixture will include immune stimulation (herbs such as Echinacea and Andrographis), specific antibacterials (such as Goldenseal, Baptisia, Myrrh, Propolis, Calendula, Thyme), and lymphatic herbs (such as Fenugreek, Poke Root, Figwort). In addition, a mixture will include specific herbs to address the function of the organs or systems affected by the infection. These herbs vary, depending for instance if the infection is respiratory, urinary, skin or sinuses.  Treatment of viral infections will include specific antiviral herbs such as Lemon Balm, St. John’s Wort, or Thuja in addition to immune-stimulating herbs.  The use of St Mary’s Thistle, generally used as a liver herb, will make the treatment more effective as it acts on the cell wall of the bacteria to make the antimicrobial herbs more effective.

I would emphasise that these herbs should only be formulated by a professional, and I advise against self-prescribing.  A knowledge of dosing is important to achieve an effective outcome without side effects.

One memorable experience  I recall with the use of herbal antibiotics was a woman who presented with a severe sinus infection.  She had already taken 3 courses of prescription antibiotics, each of which improved the symptoms but the infection was not clearing up. She had also used a herbal treatment unsuccessfully. This seemed like quite a challenge, but I made her a strong herbal mix specific for a sinus infection. Within days she reported that her symptoms improved significantly, and were completely resolved by the end of a week’s course of herbs.

It may seem surprising that the herbal mixture was more effective than prescription antibiotics. I believe this is because the herbs were designed to address the sypmtoms which were driving the infection. Excessive mucus production provides a breeding ground for the bacteria, and this was addressed with the herbal mixture. After many weeks of illness, this patient was rundown with a weakened immune system.  The herbal mixture was designed to also support her immune system. 

As a herbalist I am not opposed to the use of prescription antibiotics when needed. However, I can see the use of herbal antimicrobials as the first step in non life-threatening infections as serving a broader community benefit.