Do you know what separates high-quality, pure Omega 3 supplements from traditionally processed fish oils? Dr. Emmalee Gisslevik is the Zinzino R&D specialist and go-to expert on fatty acids. The right nutritional supplementation will give you the results you’re looking for. Make sure your choice is based on informed decisions. Follow this essential quality checklist when navigating the sea of supplements with fish oil.
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The ultimate checklist when choosing Omega 3 supplements
Check the type and form of Omega 3 in the oil
For fish oil to remain fresh, robust and effective for an extended period, permitting the Omegas to penetrate your cells and start bolstering your heart, brain and immune function, you need to scrutinize the label for the marine Omega 3’s, known as EPA and DHA. These essential fatty acids originate in the tissues of oily fish and are the most comparable to consuming seafood directly. Furthermore, pay attention to the molecular structure of the Omega, as it determines how these fatty acids operate and how they get absorbed into our bodies.
In most plants and animals, fatty acids naturally appear as Triglycerides . However, the majority of processed fish oils utilize a more cost-efficient version known as ethyl esters. This variant of fish oil is not as readily absorbed by our bodies and is more susceptible to oxidation and the subsequent rancidity compared to the triglyceride form.
Trust your senses for signs of freshness
Just like the freshest seafood, pure and fresh fish oil won’t have any fishy taste or smell. If it does, it means that it’s started to oxidize, which in turn diminishes its potency. So, trust your senses! Keep your product refrigerated and take note of the expiration date indicated on the packaging. These are quality indicators that determine the oxidation process and the time required for your body’s cell membranes to absorb the beneficial Omega 3’s.
Remember, there’s no flavor powerful enough to disguise rancid fish oil! The flavoring in Omega 3 supplements only serves to make the ingestion process more palatable. It doesn’t affect the nutritional value or influence the oxidation process in any way.
Scrutinize the brand for proof of freshness
Freshness equals potency and, effectively, real results. Since all fish oils will eventually go rancid and lose their quality, the oxidation process must be measurable. Make sure you pick a trustworthy brand that is transparent in presenting all its quality markers – from sustainable sourcing methods to environmental contaminants and the product’s level of oxidation/quality. The latter is determined in its so-called TOTOX value. The total oxidation value is an industry standard that effectively measures how fresh the oil is.
You do need to keep one thing in mind: The basic equation for TOTOX calculation is intended for pure, unflavored fish oils only. This value might be a false freshness promise if the Omega 3 supplements you’ve chosen is indeed flavored. It will interfere with the total calculation, but has no bearing on the oxidation process and will therefore not impact the quality of the product.
Find out what antioxidants have been added
There are several ways to slow down the oxidation process in fish oil, increase shelf-life and improve quality. Adding antioxidants is one method. Stay clear of brands using synthetic antioxidants such as TBHQ and ascorbyl palmitate as these may counteract the health-promoting properties of Omega 3’s.
Instead, choose a supplement with naturally mixed tocopherols or vitamin E that will only benefit the blend. But, and here is the magic sauce mentioned in the beginning. There are even more powerful polyphenols out there to stabilize oxidation, optimize absorption in the body and make sure the Omega 3’s get to work in the cell membranes of your body.
Our BalanceOil+ is a unique combination of nutrients, designed to offer the best of both worlds. The polyphenols we extract from olives are remarkably similar to those found organically in fish. That’s why our blend is based on a 60% portion of pure fish oil, sourced from wild-caught smaller fish, combined with 40% extra virgin olive oil, enriched with polyphenols extracted from olives before harvest.
The result is as close as you can get to consuming these nutrients directly from their natural sources. We invite you to discover more about what sets our BalanceOil+ apart, in a friendly and accessible way.
Get a daily dosage made for you and put the product to the test
Everybody’s different and the level that your body will absorb the Omega 3 supplements has less to do with the concentration of Omega 3’s in the product, but rather all to do with individual factors such as your weight, your stomach acid profile, your genetic blueprint, and even certain allergies. Look at the recommended daily dosage on the packaging and pick a product that includes a weight chart to guide you.
Better yet: Select a brand that provides customized blood tests to uncover your distinctive fatty acid profile, offering tangible written evidence that their supplements are effectively working. It is crucial to opt for a test that is independently overseen and built upon precise scientific analysis, such as the Zinzino BalanceTest. That will be your ultimate proof of concept to the question of what it means for fish oil to be fresh!