Liquid EPA/DHA 1200 mg, 200 ml

Liquid EPA/DHA 1200 mg with a high content of EPA and DHA

These essential omega-3 fatty acids are an indispensable part of our daily basic supplementation. Softgel capsules are the form in which EPA and DHA are offered by most fish oil products. In certain situations, however, a liquid form can be advantageous, for example when high amounts of EPA and DHA are sought or when a person has difficulty swallowing capsules. Liquid EPA/DHA 1200 mg contains particularly fresh and pure fish oil, which results in a pleasant taste and smell of the product. In addition, the flavour experience is further improved by the addition of a natural lemon flavour. Compared with other liquid fish oils, which often leave an unpleasant fishy aftertaste, the neutral and mild taste of this product is truly distinctive. This means Liquid EPA/DHA 1200 mg is also excellent for (young) children. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in this product are well absorbed because they are present in their natural, unprocessed triglyceride form.

Good for the heart, brain and eyes

The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA work together to exert a positive effect on the heart. In addition, DHA supports the maintenance of normal vision and normal brain function. It is not without reason that the consumption of particularly fatty fish species, which naturally contain a high amount of EPA and DHA, has long been included in official dietary recommendations for a healthy diet. In practice, however, most people do not consume enough (fatty) fish to reach the recommended daily dose of EPA and DHA. There are various reasons why these people do not reach the recommended daily dose. This can be problematic, as fish remains our main source of EPA and DHA.

The same official recommendations also point out that it is better not to eat fish too often. The reason for this is the contaminants that fish can contain due to environmental pollution (in particular dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals such as methylmercury). High-quality, purified fish oil preparations (such as Liquid EPA/DHA 1200 mg), which contain few or none of these contaminants, do not pose a problem in this regard. Increasingly, therefore, people choose to supplement their diet daily with a fish oil preparation to make optimal use of the health benefits of these polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids.

Required EPA/DHA dosing for an optimal omega-3 fatty acid status

The omega-3 fatty acid status denotes the amount of EPA and DHA present in the body. Nowadays it is possible to determine the omega-3 fatty acid status. One option is a blood test by finger prick, which measures the omega-3 index. The omega-3 index, a reliable indicator of omega-3 fatty acid status, gives the proportion of EPA and DHA in the total fatty acid composition of the cell membranes of erythrocytes (red blood cells). It also shows a good correlation with the content of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in tissues and organs, including the heart.

Evidence that an omega-3 index of at least 8% is optimal is growing. Research has shown that a significant portion of the population – especially people with a typically European diet (i.e. an excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids) – need to consume large amounts of EPA/DHA to achieve this. With a low omega-3 index (approx. 4.5%, which is average in Western countries), supplementation with 2 grams of EPA/DHA normally leads to the omega-3 index rising to about 8% after approximately three months. To maintain this index, about 700–1200 mg EPA/DHA per day are likely sufficient, depending on dietary habits.

Natural triglyceride form: Fats naturally occur in food and in fish oil as triglycerides. They consist of three fatty acid molecules bound to a single glycerol molecule. Unprocessed fish oil contains EPA or DHA plus two other fatty acids. For this reason, the natural proportion of DHA/EPA in fish oil is not more than about 30%. For fish oil preparations in softgel capsules, a higher concentration (up to 80–90%) is desirable because the space in a softgel capsule is limited. To achieve this, during manufacturing the fatty acid chains are detached from the glycerol and the EPA/DHA fatty acids are extracted, allowing higher concentrations and different proportions of EPA and DHA to be obtained through additional processing. One advantage of liquid fish oil is that it is not so constrained by limited space. After all, it is no problem to take a larger amount of the oil with a teaspoon or measuring spoon. This allows the fish oil to have a sufficient natural omega-3 concentration. That is, no further production steps are necessary to increase the concentration of EPA and DHA. A liquid fish oil preparation offers the additional advantage that the dose can be adjusted much more easily, for example when the product is used by several family members.

Permitted health claims:

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)...

• contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function.
• contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
  

These two claims are only permissible when at least 250 mg of DHA is consumed daily.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) contributes to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride levels

This claim is only permissible with a daily intake from 2 g DHA. Total intake must not exceed 5 g DHA+EPA.

Maternal intake of DHA contributes to the normal development of the eye and brain of the foetus and breastfed infant.

This claim is only permissible with a daily intake from 250 mg DHA+EPA and additionally 200 mg DHA.

DHA and EPA (omega-3 fatty acids) contribute to the maintenance of normal blood pressure

This claim is only permissible with a daily intake from 3 g DHA+EPA. Total intake must not exceed 5 g DHA+EPA.

DHA and EPA (omega-3 fatty acids) contribute to normal heart function and to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride levels.

All these claims are scientifically substantiated and approved by the EU. The extent to which a desired effect occurs also depends on how much DHA+EPA is consumed.

Nutritional declaration

Nutritionally relevant ingredients

* No reference intake specified according to the FIC

The minimum amount recommended by the manufacturer is 5 ml. This contains 1200 mg DHA+EPA:

* No reference intake specified according to the FIC

More positive effects can be expected at the manufacturer's maximum recommended intake of 10 ml:

* No reference intake specified according to the FIC

Ingredients

Fish oil, lemon flavour, antioxidants (rosemary extract, ascorbyl palmitate and tocopherol-rich extracts).

Recommended use

Children aged 3 years and over: 2.5 ml (1/2 coffee spoon) per day with a fatty meal. Adults: 5–10 ml (1–2 coffee spoons) per day. The oil can be taken neat or mixed with cold drinks or foods. A measuring spoon is included.

Note

The additional daily intake of EPA and DHA together should not exceed 5 grams (approx. 4 teaspoons [= 20 ml] Liquid EPA/DHA 1200 mg). Use dosages of more than 1000 mg EPA/DHA only in consultation with a doctor if you have, or have had, atrial fibrillation.

Storage instructions

Store unopened packages at room temperature. After opening, store in the refrigerator and use within 3 months.

Legal information

Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced and varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of reach of small children.