AboutBarbara Judge Expertise Outpatient pharmacy and general health. I have recently completed a Pharmceutical Care Certificate Program offered by Purdue University (Spring 1999 completion). I have personal experience dealing with terminally ill persons and their needs, as well as their families` needs. I graduated in 1984 from Pharmacy School and have been a Licensed Pharmacist since then. I have 18 years retail pharmacy experience. Prior to my pharmacy training I have 3 years hospital experience as a Nurse`s Aide.
I have read recently recommendations from various people about using "pharmaceutical fish oil" as the gold standard for obtaining the omega oils in one's diet. I've been reading about Dr. Barry Sear's. What is the difference between pharmaceutical fish oil and regular fish oil supplements? Thank you.
Answer To my knowledge, any fish oil supplement sold for human consumption must be of "pharmaceutical grade". The only website which offers a description of pharmaceutical grade fish oil in contrast with "Health food grade" fish oil, other than those which discuss Dr. Barry Sear's information, is another nutritional supplement manufacturer which sells a fish oil supplement. Since nutritional supplements are not in any way currently regulated by the FDA or any other agency which requires documented imperical evidence before making specific claims they are fairly free to say whatever they please as long as they are not blatantly outrageous. Most of the research I have ever seen done by unbiased sources (those not trying to sell you their product over another product-usually at a greatly inflated price) does not make a requirement as to the source or brand of product to achieve effective results.
