You might think that fish oil is a recent revelation, and in a way, it is. The science behind why fish oil works has caught up with the effects, so now people are more familiar with why fish oil is so great and what it is actually doing in your body. But, believe it or not, it has been around as a sort of folk remedy for years. In fact, it is considered probable that the reason our species evolved to be as smart as it did is because our ancestors consumed a seafood diet. To begin the tale of this oil most practical first usage, though, we’ll have to look back to 1775 in England.

England was the first to produce a variety of fish oil and use it for practical healing purposes. This was called cod liver oil, which was as gross-tasting as it was miraculous to the people of the age. When the cod arrived at the docks, the oil oozing out of their livers was collected and sold. Even though the cod liver oil has some fairly unappetizing origins, it was actually esteemed as nothing less than a miracle cure for all sorts of common ailments that plagued people. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be long before factories started to dump their waste in the waters of rivers and oceans, making the fish toxic and taste more metallic.

Recently, there have been strong innovations in the history of fish oil. These are the ultra-refined EPA and DHA (the Essential Fatty Acids found in fish) concentrates that were developed. The process of refining the this oil uses advanced chemical engineering and some intense equipment, labor requirements, and technological advances, which explains why it wasn’t adopted sooner. Plus, concrete advantages of fish oil were relatively unknown until recently, so there wasn’t much of a demand for detoxified oil.

Because of the many new innovations, a new type of fish is available for mass consumption. It has a concentration of long-chain Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, but leaves behind all of the nasty toxins, chemical contaminants, and heavy metals that pollute the fish in our modern rivers and oceans. Instead of having to resort to eating fish that are dangerously high in mercury or other toxins, you can now enjoy the benefits of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids in a capsule or spoon without the risking permanent damage or higher inflammation.

If you think about it, the innovations in fish oil purification came just on time. As soon as people realized how great the benefits of this oil were, they were all excited to eat fish all the time, or take this oil every day. This would be fine if this oil was just fish oil, but it contains all those contaminants, and thus, it would be extremely detrimental for people to take it every day. If you take pharmaceutical-grade oil, you can now provide your body a sufficient quantity of Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids to your brain, eyes, and other important parts. The history of fish oil is a fascinating one, and we’re fortunate enough to live in an age where we can enjoy the fruits of that history.

Author's Bio: 

Emile Jarreau, aka, Mr. Fat Loss is fascinated by health, nutrition and weight loss. For more great info about fish oil for losing weight and keeping it off visit http://www.MrFatLoss.com