It is also widely considered to be effective in preventing heart disease because of it's rich omega-3 component. 

In addition, new research suggests that high doses of fish oil may also be effective in combating Parkinson's disease, Attention deficit disorder, and a host of other Neurological problems. Dr. Sears bluntly states that "pharmaceutical grade fish oil is as close to a medical miracle as we will see in the 21st century". Dr. Barry Sears is a leading authority in the field of drug delivery systems and dietary control of hormones. He believes that most chronic diseases are characterized by two prime factors: A decrease in blood flow and an increase in inflammation.

That is where fish oil comes in, as it affects a specific group of hormones. The more fish oil that is consumed, the more "good" and the fewer "bad" eicosanoids(a type of hormone) a person will have in their body. A key for 21st century medicine will be to balance these hormones, and a key for Americans' health in general will be in getting enough omega3's (found in fish oil and a handful of other products) in their diets.

Pharmaceutical grade fish oil appears to be the best source of omega 3's, partially because the purification methods are so advanced. Unlike in the traditional cod-liver oil, modern methods have eliminated all impurities from high-grade fish oil. What makes high-dose fish oil so helpful, according to recently published studies, is that it allows your brain to work at it's highest level of efficiency, controlling the very hormonal responses that run your emotions as well your body. Current medical research is also focusing on the use of high doses of fish oil during radiation treatment and chemotherapy, as well as for treating Fibromyalgia. 

On the whole, there appears to be consensus that Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish oil promotes a healthy vascular system. Fish oil contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), both of which are omega-3 fatty acids. These particular omega-3 fatty acids may inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis.

Essential fatty acids are grouped into two families, omega-6 EFAs and the omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 acids promote inflammation, blood clotting, and tumor growth, while omega-3 acids, found in fish oil and very few other sources, act entirely opposite, according to researcher Hans R. Larsen, MSc ChE. According to Larsen, Scientists were first alerted to the many benefits of EPA and DHA in the early 1970s when Danish physicians observed that Greenland Eskimos had an exceptionally low incidence of heart disease and arthritis despite the fact that they consumed a high-fat diet.

Subsequent research later discovered that the two fats or oils that they consumed in considerable quantities, EPA and DHA, were indeed very beneficial.

The US National Institutes of Health has also Recognized the benefits of DHA and EPA and has published Recommended Daily Intakes of fatty acids. They recommend a daily intake of 650 mg of DHA and EPA, and 4.44 g/day of linoleic acid.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have used fish oil to treat bipolar disorder, with considerable success. British researchers have reported positive results in treating schizophrenia with similar supplementation. It should be known by anyone taking fish oil supplements, that there are several medications which may have beneficial or harmful interactions with them. They are Cyclosporine, Pravastatin and Simvastatin.

Dr. Sears states that the purity of the fish oil the single most important factor to consider when taking it as a supplement. To manufacture pharmaceutical-grade fish oil requires extensive purification. In fact, it takes 100 gallons of health-food grade fish oil to make one gallon of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil. 

Only pharmaceutical-grade material makes high-dose supplementation possible due to lack of toxins and gastric distress common with other fish oils at recommended dose levels. Dr Sears holds thirteen U.S. patents in this field of medicine, and is the author of the 1995 New York Times bestseller 'The Zone' and several other books. His newest book, 'The Omega RX Zone', along with his pharmaceutical-grade fish oil supplements and patented Zone diet bars, which also contain pharmaceutical grade fish oil, can be found at http://www.healthypetnet.com/aaronw  This site also contains his 'pet zone' products as well as more information on the benefits of omega 3's and on how to check the purity levels of fish oil. His 'fish oil faq' in particular is a must read.