Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport, 60 softgel capsules

Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport for (elite) athletes

Anyone who competes professionally in sport should definitely be fully informed about their diet. What ingredients are in their food, what are the nutritional values, and what is the composition and quality of the dietary supplements they are taking? And it is at least as essential to know what you are not consuming. You do not want to consume any undesirable substances nor be associated with doping. That is why Vitals products are screened for contaminants, and every batch of Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport is tested for substances relevant to doping. This is carried out in accordance with the NZVT system.

The composition of Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport is identical to that of Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 1000 mg. The only differences are the name and the doping test carried out on every batch of Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport in accordance with the NZVT system, followed by certification.
The fish oil supplement Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport provides the essential omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a particularly high dosage, with a balanced ratio between the two. It is ideal for people who wish to optimally support their omega-3 fatty acid balance or achieve specific health benefits. The fatty acids in Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport are present in the high-quality triglyceride form, which makes them highly bioavailable. 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, it can be said that Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport has a high dosage, is pure, is characterised by exceptional freshness and is excellently absorbed by the body. In summary, you can choose Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport from Vitals without hesitation!

Suitable for elite athletes; tested for doping

Every batch of Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport is tested for doping as part of the Dutch Safety System for Dietary Supplements in Elite Sport (‘Nederlands Zekerheidssysteem Voedingsupplementen Topsport’, abbreviated to NZVT). The NZVT system, similar to well-known initiatives in Germany such as the Kölner Liste®, is aimed specifically at (elite) athletes who may be subject to doping tests, and offers at least as much assurance. The Dutch Anti-Doping Agency, the Dutch Olympic Committee and the Sports Federation, as well as the Dutch Association for Dietary Supplements, are working together on this system.

Good for the heart, brain, eyes and more …

The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA work together to promote good heart health. Furthermore, DHA helps to maintain normal vision and healthy brain function. It is not without reason that the consumption of particularly oily fish species, which naturally have a high content of EPA and DHA, has always been included in official nutritional recommendations for a healthy diet. In practice, however, most people do not consume 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 . The reason for this is 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 even none of these contaminants. That is why 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 .

A high-dose fish oil supplement such as Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport offers the advantage that the health benefits, which only occur at higher doses of EPA and DHA, can be achieved simply by taking just 2 to 3 softgel capsules per day. Studies Studies have shown that EPA and DHA, at a daily dose of 2 grams (equivalent to 2 softgel capsules), help maintain healthy blood lipid levels. Various fats (triglycerides) are present in the blood, which are part from food and partly produced by the liver . Furthermore, EPA and DHA have a positive effect on the lipid composition of the blood. When taken daily at a dose of 3 grams (3 softgel capsules), EPA and DHA are also beneficial for blood pressure. Ultra Pure EPA/DHA Sport is an excellent supplement to a healthy and balanced diet, particularly for those who wish to improve their blood pressure and promote healthy blood lipid levels.

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

Omega-3 fatty acid balance refers to the levels of EPA and DHA present in the body. Nowadays, it is entirely possible to determine one’s omega-3 fatty acid balance. One method is a blood test using a finger prick, which measures what is known as 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 per cent is optimal. Studies have shown that many people, particularly those on 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 (approx. 4.5 per cent, which is the average in Western countries), supplementation with 2 grams EPA/DHA normally leads to the following result. The omega-3 index rises to around 8 per cent after about three months. Around 700–1000 mg of EPA/DHA per day is likely to be sufficient to maintain this index (depending on dietary habits).

Fish oil from Golden Omega

This is an ingredient in Ultra Pure EPA/DHA 1000 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 environmental impact, Golden Omega works exclusively with certified fishermen.

In the production of its fish oil, Golden Omega focuses on purity and quality. Through the use of a patented purification process to remove impurities from the fish and an equally patented concentration process, Golden Omega ensures it 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 further 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 occurring. And for many people, this is a significant advantage.

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 is a quality mark for sustainable fishing and the protection of the natural ecosystem. Dolphin Safe is a quality mark for sustainable fishing and dolphin protection. Green-e is 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. There are dietary supplements containing 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 1000 mg from Vitals). Furthermore, products are available that contain EPA and DHA in the ethyl ester form.
In foodstuffs and in fish oil, fats are present as triglycerides . They are composed of three fatty acid molecules, which are bound to a single glycerol molecule (see Figure 1). Unprocessed fish oil contains, in addition to EPA or DHA, two further fatty acids. Consequently, the natural EPA/DHA content in fish oil is at most 30 per cent. As space in a softgel capsule is limited, fish oil supplements in such capsules require higher concentrations of up to 80–90 per cent . 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 produces a triglyceride (also known as rTG, which stands for ‘re-esterified triglyceride’). In this way, it bears similarities to 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. In order for the fat-splitting enzymes to carry out their 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 beneficial. If the omega-3 dietary supplement is taken with a low-fat meal (such as an average breakfast or (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 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 the normal function of the heart.
• DHA helps maintain healthy brain function and good vision at a daily dose of 250 mg DHA (1 softgel capsule per day).
• At a daily dose of 2 grams of EPA/DHA (equivalent to 2 softgel capsules), these substances help maintain healthy blood lipid levels.
• A daily intake of 3 grams of EPA/DHA (three softgel capsules) helps to maintain normal blood pressure.

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 high-fat meal. Do not exceed the stated recommended daily intake.

Caution

The combined daily intake of EPA and DHA should not exceed 5 grams. Do not take doses of more than 1000 mg EPA/DHA unless advised by a doctor, if you suffer 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.