Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg, 60 softgel capsules

Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg von Vitals

offers 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 perfect for those who want to enrich 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 results in excellent absorbability. Golden Omega is a manufacturer known for producing highly purified fish oil. The TOTOX values in the individual oil batches are also very low. The bright light colour of the oil indicates its exceptionally high quality. In summary, Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg is pure, exceptionally fresh and very well absorbed.

Beneficial for the heart, brain and eyes

EPA and DHA, two omega-3 fatty acids, act together to have 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 high levels 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 because 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 (PCB) and heavy metals such as methylmercury). However, this is not an issue with high-quality, purified fish oil preparations that contain only very low amounts or none of these contaminants. For this reason, an increasing number of people take a fish oil supplement daily to make the most of the health benefits of these unsaturated long-chain fatty acids.

Necessary EPA/DHA dose for an optimal omega-3 status

Omega-3 status refers to the amount of DHA and EPA present in the body. It is now quite possible to determine omega-3 status. One way to do this is a finger-prick blood test that determines the omega-3 index. The omega-3 index, a reliable indicator of omega-3 status, gives the proportion of EPA and DHA in the total fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte cell membranes. The content of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in tissues and organs, including the heart, also correlates well with this omega-3 index.

Evidence that an omega-3 index of at least 8% is optimal is increasing. Studies have shown that many people, especially those with a typical European diet (generally associated with an excessive intake of omega-6 fatty acids), need high doses of EPA/DHA to reach an optimal index. With a low omega-3 index (approx. 4.5%, which is average in Western countries), supplementation with 2 grams of EPA/DHA usually leads to the omega-3 index rising to around 8% after about three months. To maintain this index, approximately 700–1000 mg EPA/DHA per day are probably sufficient, depending on dietary habits.

Fish oil from Golden Omega

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

Golden Omega focuses on purity and quality in the production of its fish oil. By applying a patented purification process to remove contaminants from the fish and a likewise patented concentration process, Golden Omega ensures that it offers a product of the highest quality. This is evident, on the one hand, in the bright light colour of the fish oils, but above all in the extremely low TOTOX values of their oils (whose average value is below 5). The TOTOX value (“TOTal OXidation value” – total oxidation value) serves as an indicator of the freshness or rancidity of an oil. Fish oil is particularly prone to oxidation because it contains many sensitive unsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids suffer oxidative damage when they come into contact with oxygen; this can be further exacerbated by heating (such as when frying fish). As rancid oils are considered unhealthy, a low TOTOX value is important. In addition to purity, it also represents an excellent indicator of the quality of a fish oil preparation. A low TOTOX value also reduces the likelihood of fishy aftertaste or belching. And that is a major advantage for many people.

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

The difference between fish oil as triglyceride and ethyl ester

There are different types of fish oil preparations on the market. There are supplements with omega-3 fatty acids in the natural triglyceride form, such as liquid fish oil (e.g. Liquid EPA/DHA 1200 mg). There are also supplements in the re‑esterified triglyceride form (e.g. Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 700 mg from Vitals). Furthermore, products are available that contain EPA and DHA in the ethyl ester form.
In foods as well as in fish oil, fats are present as triglycerides. They consist of three fatty acid molecules bound to a single glycerol molecule (see figure 1). Unprocessed fish oil contains, in addition to EPA or DHA, two other fatty acids. In this way, the natural EPA/DHA content in fish oil is at most 30%. Because space in a softgel capsule is limited, higher concentrations of up to 80–90% are desirable in fish oil preparations 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. Because these free fatty acids are very unstable, they are then individually bound to an ethanol molecule. These compounds are called ethyl esters. This method is used in many fish oil supplements. In 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 produces a triglyceride (also called rTG, meaning “re‑esterified triglyceride”). In this way it resembles the structure of natural fatty acids, but with three EPA/DHA side chains instead of only one.

EPA/DHA as triglycerides, which are easier to absorb compared with ethyl esters In the body, fats (triglycerides) are broken down into monoglycerides and free fatty acids so that they can be taken up by the intestinal cells. They are then recombined into 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. For the fat‑splitting enzymes to work properly, they also need triglycerides from the diet. Several studies have shown that the absorption of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of triglycerides is more advantageous. If the omega-3 supplement is consumed with a low‑fat meal (such as an average breakfast or lunch), this difference is even more pronounced. The absorption of omega-3 fatty acids in triglyceride form is also more effective 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 contribute to the normal function of the heart.
• DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and normal vision at a daily dose of 250 mg DHA (1 softgel capsule daily).

Active ingredients

* No reference intake established according to the Food Information Regulation (LMIV)

Ingredients

Fish oil triglyceride concentrate, fish gelatin (softgel capsule), humectant (glycerol), purified water, antioxidant (tocopherol-rich extracts).

Recommended use

Take 1–2 softgel capsules per day with water with a fatty meal. Do not exceed the stated recommended daily intake.

Caution

The additional daily intake of EPA and DHA together should not exceed 5 grams. 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 in a cool, dry, dark place (do not refrigerate).

Legal notice

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