Unfortunately, fish and fish oil may contain contaminants referred to as persistent organic pollutants (POPS). These are toxic chemicals that can negatively affect human health. They are transported by wind and water, therefore very difficult to control in our environment. Stonehouse W. Does Consumption of LC Omega-3 PUFA Enhance Cognitive Performance in Healthy School-Aged Children and throughout Adulthood? Evidence from Clinical Trials. Nutrients.2014 Jul; 6(7):2730-2758. doi:10.3390/nu6072730 Those with a fish or shellfish allergy: Allergic reactions can be serious. If your child is allergic to fish or shellfish, talk to a healthcare provider about the best supplementation option. Sometimes products tested by these three companies are more expensive to try to offset the cost they pay for certification.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Global Issue, A Global Response. Oddy WH, de Klerk NH, Kendall GE, Mihrshahi S, Peat JK. Ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids and childhood asthma. J Asthma. 2004;41(3):319-326. doi:10.1081/jas-120026089. Features: Every batch of Nordic Naturals fish oils is tested by a certified lab for environmental toxins, including heavy metals. All fish oils are in the triglyceride form and surpass the strictest international standards for purity and freshness. Certificates of Analysis available upon request.Carlson Labs The Finest Fish oil is non-GMO and free of artificial preservatives. They prioritize quality and freshness by bottling the fish oil with antioxidants and using a nitrogen flush to prevent oxidation (spoilage). The third party certifications we can trust are: ConsumerLab, NSF, and USP. However, these certifications are difficult to obtain and/or expensive, so many companies choose not to get their products tested by one of these three organizations. Just because a supplement is not tested by one of these three companies, it does not mean it’s a bad product. We recommend doing some research on the reputability of the manufacturer, and calling up the manufacturer and their testing lab to determine their protocols and decide if you feel comfortable consuming the supplement.

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included, relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please bring the supplement label to your healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications your child is taking. Supplements that are third-party tested are sent to a lab where they are tested to ensure they contain what they say they contain and are not contaminated with specific high-risk, common contaminants. However, it’s important to note: Those taking anticoagulant medications: Omega-3 supplements may interact with anticoagulant medications such as warfarin, heparin or other direct thrombin inhibitors. If your child is on such medications, speak with your child’s healthcare provider about possible interactions and increased bleeding risk. How We Select Supplements

Essential nutrients for optimal health

Carlson Labs was one of the first to launch omega-3 supplementation here in the United States. They focus on sustainable sourcing and high quality products. They are FOS certified and also International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) certified. IFOS is a certification created by the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical company nutrasource that verifies product safety, purity, and label accuracy. Not all third-party testing is created equal. It is not uncommon for supplement companies to pay labs for certificates after conducting minimal to no testing.