Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg, 60 softgel capsules

Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg by Vitals

provides a high dose of the essential omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), with a balanced ratio between the two. It is ideal for those who wish to supplement their daily diet with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids in Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg are present in the high-quality triglyceride form, which ensures excellent absorption. Golden Omega is a manufacturer renowned for producing high-purity fish oil. The TOTOX levels in the individual oil batches are also very low. The oil’s bright, clear colour is indicative of its exceptionally high quality. In summary, Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg is pure, exceptionally fresh and highly bioavailable.

Beneficial for the heart, brain and eyes

EPA and DHA, two omega-3 fatty acids, work together to have a positive effect on the heart. Furthermore, DHA helps maintain normal vision and healthy brain function. It is not without reason that the consumption of particularly oily fish species, which are naturally rich in EPA and DHA, has always featured in official dietary recommendations for a healthy diet. In practice, however, most people do not eat enough (oily) fish to reach the recommended daily intake of EPA and DHA. There are various reasons why these people do not reach the recommended daily intake. 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. This is due to the contaminants that fish may contain as a result of environmental pollution (in particular dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals such as methylmercury). However, this is not a problem with high-quality, purified fish oil supplements, which contain only small amounts or none at all of these contaminants. For this reason, more and more people are incorporating a fish oil supplement into their daily diet in order to make the most of the health benefits of these unsaturated long-chain fatty acids.

Required EPA/DHA dose for an ideal omega-3 fatty acid balance

The term ‘omega-3 fatty acid balance’ refers to the amount of DHA and EPA present in the body. It is now entirely possible to determine one’s omega-3 fatty acid balance. One way to do this is via a finger-prick blood test, which measures the omega-3 index. The omega-3 index, a reliable indicator of omega-3 fatty acid status, indicates the proportion of EPA and DHA in the overall fatty acid composition of the cell membranes of red blood cells. The content of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in tissues and organs, including the heart, also correlates well with this omega-3 index.

There is growing evidence that an Omega-3 Index of at least 8% is optimal. Studies have shown that many people, particularly those following a typical European diet (usually associated with excessive consumption of omega-6 fatty acids), require high doses of EPA/DHA to achieve an optimal index. With a low omega-3 index (around 4.5 per cent, which is the average in Western countries), supplementation with 2 grams of EPA/DHA usually results in the omega-3 index rising to around 8 per cent after about three months. To maintain this index, a daily intake of around 700–1000 mg of EPA/DHA is likely to be sufficient, although this depends on dietary habits.

Golden Omega fish oil

is a key ingredient in Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg. The company is based in the far north of Chile in a state-of-the-art factory. The building is very strategically located, right next to the waters where the fish used for fish oil production is caught. A significant advantage of this is that the fish can be processed quickly after being caught, ensuring it remains very fresh. To minimise the impact on the environment, Golden Omega works exclusively with certified fishermen.

Golden Omega focuses on purity and quality in the production of its fish oil. The use of a patented purification process to remove impurities from the fish, as well as a similarly patented concentration process, ensures that Golden Omega offers a product of the highest quality. This is evident not only in the bright, clear colour of the fish oils, but above all in the extremely low TOTOX values of its oils (the average of which is below 5). The TOTOX value (‘TOTal OXidation value’) serves as an indicator of an oil’s freshness or rancidity. Fish oil is particularly susceptible to oxidation because it contains many sensitive unsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids suffer oxidative damage when they come into contact with oxygen; this damage can be exacerbated by heating (such as when frying fish). As rancid oils are considered unhealthy, a low TOTOX value is important. As well as purity, it is also an excellent indicator of the quality of a fish oil supplement. Furthermore, a low TOTOX value reduces the likelihood of fishy burps. And that is a major advantage for many people.

Golden Omega holds several quality and sustainability certificates that attest to the high standard of its fish oils. These include IFOS (a quality mark for the quality, freshness, purity and stability of fish oil), Friend of the Sea (a quality mark for sustainable fishing and the protection of the natural ecosystem), Dolphin Safe (a quality mark for sustainable fishing and dolphin protection) and Green-e (a quality mark for green energy).

The difference between fish oil as a triglyceride and as an ethyl ester

There are various types of fish oil supplements available on the market. Some dietary supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids in their natural triglyceride form, such as liquid fish oil (e.g. Liquid EPA/DHA 1200 mg). There are also dietary supplements in the re-esterified triglyceride form (e.g. Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg from Vitals). Furthermore, products containing EPA and DHA in the ethyl ester form are also available.
In foodstuffs and in fish oil, fats are present as triglycerides. They are composed of three fatty acid molecules bound to a single glycerol molecule (see Figure 1). Unprocessed fish oil contains two other fatty acids in addition to EPA or DHA. Consequently, the natural EPA/DHA content in fish oil is at most 30 per cent. As space in a softgel capsule is limited, higher concentrations of up to 80–90 per cent are desirable for fish oil supplements in such capsules. During the manufacturing process, the fatty acid chains are separated from the glycerol and the EPA/DHA fatty acids are isolated by extraction. As these free fatty acids are highly unstable, they are subsequently bound separately to an ethanol molecule. These compounds are known as ethyl esters. This method is used in many fish oil dietary supplements. During the production of the fish oil for Golden Omega Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 1000 mg, the EPA/DHA fatty acids are reattached to a glycerol chain (re-esterified). This results in a triglyceride (also known as rTG, which stands for ‘re-esterified triglyceride’). In this way, it resembles the structure of natural fatty acids, but with three EPA/DHA side chains instead of just one.

EPA/DHA as triglycerides, which are more easily absorbed than ethyl esters. In the body, the fats (triglycerides) are broken down into monoglycerides and free fatty acids so that they can be absorbed by the intestinal cells. They are then recombined to form triglycerides. Fatty acids are absorbed as triglycerides via the lymphatic system and enter the bloodstream. Ethyl esters have the disadvantage that they require an additional enzyme to break them down into free fatty acids. Furthermore, for the fat-splitting enzymes to function properly, they also require triglycerides from the diet. Several studies have shown that the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of triglycerides is more beneficial. If the omega-3 dietary supplement is taken with a low-fat meal (such as a typical breakfast or lunch), this difference is even more pronounced. The absorption of omega-3 fatty acids in triglyceride form is also more effective when taken with a high-fat meal than with a low-fat meal or on an empty stomach.

Permitted health claims:

• With a daily dose of 250 mg EPA/DHA (equivalent to 1 softgel capsule), these substances support normal heart function.
• DHA helps maintain healthy brain function and good vision at a daily dose of 250 mg DHA (1 softgel capsule daily).

Key ingredients

* No reference amount specified under the Food Information Regulation (LMIV)

Ingredients

Fish oil triglyceride concentrate, fish gelatine(softgel capsule), humectant (glycerol), purified water, antioxidant (extracts rich in tocopherols).

Recommended intake

Take 1–2 softgel capsules per day with water as part of a meal containing fat. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake.

Caution

The combined daily intake of EPA and DHA should not exceed 5 grams. Do not take doses exceeding 1000 mg of EPA/DHA unless advised by a doctor if you suffer from or have suffered from atrial fibrillation.

Storage instructions

Store in a cool, dry place away from light (not in the fridge).

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 young children.