Page 67
The Willner Window Product Reference Catalog, Spring, 2013
since 1911
• Willner Chemists •
the nutritional supplement professionals
DaVinci Labs
Choosing The Right Omega-3
Supplement
The health benefits of omega-3 oils are
now readily recognized. New research con-
tinues to support the value of increased
intake of these healthy oils. Increasingly, peo-
ple are consuming more fish and taking
omega-3 supplements. This is a good thing.
But as the popularity has grown, so has the
array of different, and competing, omega-3
supplements on store shelves.
This has led, inevitably, to confusion.
Choosing the right omega-3 supplement is
increasingly complicated and difficult. Our
good friend, Jack Challem, “the Nutrition
Reporter,” a frequent guest on our Willner
Window radio program over the years, has
written an informative and concise article
that should help you better understand some
of the differences between various types of
omega-3 supplements. We are reprinting
some of the highlights of that article below.
Before we do, here are some additional
points you should keep in mind:
One source of confusion is the use of “fish
oil” when people are talking about dosage.
This occurs far too often, and can be very
misleading. Talking about a 1000 mg dose of
“fish oil,” for example, is almost meaningless.
You really need to know the “strength” of
that “fish oil.” There are many types of “fish
oil,” and the amount of omega-3's in that fish
oil is what is really important. It can vary
widely. So to be meaningful, when talking
about dosage, the amount of omega-3's, or
EPA-DHA, is what should be provided. And
this is what you should look for on a label.
One thousand mg of “fish oil” does not
mean one thousand mg of EPA-DHA. Look at
the label carefully, and look for the amount
of EPA and DHA per capsule (or spoonful).
This is what’s important, and this is what you
need to use when comparing one product to
another, and when calculating your dosage.
There are two ways to increase the level of
EPA-DHA in a supplement. One way is to
simply increase the size of the capsule. This,
of course, is self limiting, as too large a cap-
sule becomes difficult to swallow. The second
way is to concentrate the EPA and DHA by
removing other components of the oil. If you
are looking for the highest potency of “thera-
peutic” EPA and DHA, you are not con-
cerned with the other fatty acids (omega-6
and omega-9's, for example) that would nor-
mally be found in fish oil. Highly concentrat-
ed supplements now provide as much as 900
mg of omega-3's in one softgel. Some exam-
ples are Solgar’s “Omega-3 950" and Natural
Factors “Ultra Strength RxOmega-3 Factors.”
Here are some of the comments made by
Jack Challem in his article, “Omega-3 guide:
how to choose a supplement”
“Omega-3s can reduce your risk of heart
disease and cancer, ease your aches and
pains, and improve your mood. But as the
products on the shelf multiply, choosing an
omega-3 supplement has become downright
confusing. Use this glossary to guide your
purchase.
“EPA and DHA: These acronyms stand for
eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic
acid. You need both of these omega-3 essen-
tial fatty acids: EPA has stronger anti-inflam-
matory benefits (read: heart health, joints),
while DHA seems to improve brain develop-
ment and memory. They work together to
promote good moods, but EPA seems more
helpful for depression. Check labels for about
a 2:1 ratio of EPA and DHA per serving—as
opposed to just “fish oil,” which can also
contain saturated fat.
“Fish sources: Except for salmon and cod-
liver oil, most omega-3 supplements come
from small species such as anchovies and sar-
dines. Distillation processes make fish oil
supplements largely free of heavy metals and
contaminants—not the case with many fish
we eat.”
This is important. You often hear comments
like “don’t take supplements–instead, it’s bet-
ter to eat healthy food, properly prepared.”
Sometimes, the supplement is healthier than
the food from which it is derived. This is one
good example. Fish often contains contami-
nants such as mercury. Fish is often “farm
raised,” rather than wild. Fish is often not
what you think it is. Recent reports continue
to reveal gross mislabeling and misidentifica-
tion of fish. The purification that takes place
as part of the “concentration” process is a
valuable bonus.
"Whole" omegas: This term, along with full-
spectrum and minimally processed, can
sometimes be as slippery as, yep, a fish. All
omega-3s are extracted via a distillation
process, so take the minimally processed
claim with a grain of salt. Some “whole”
products contain blends of ingredients you
probably don’t need, such as omega-9s
(plentiful in olive oil). Small amounts of
omega-5, -7, and -8 may be just window
dressing—you’d need far more to see bene-
fits. Some products also contain added astax-
anthin, a reddish antioxidant found in certain
algae and salmon that may have antiaging
effects.
“Phospholipids: Phospholipids are found in
all cell membranes in the body; the omega-3
fats bound to them help keep the mem-
branes supple and may have an advantage
when it comes to uptake by the body. Krill
and a few fish-oil products (Jarrow
PhosphOmega, . .) are phospholipids. The
more common triglyceride form—found nat-
urally in fatty fish and flaxseed—must be
digested before it enters the bloodstream,
but research shows triglycerides just as effec-
tively treat most conditions, with one excep-
tion: people with mood issues, because
phospholipids have additional brain bene-
fits.”
Phospholipids is becoming a very popular
term in the supplement business. Variations
of the term are being used, and you probably
think this is some type of new, sophisticated
“wonder-supplement.” Supplements contain-
ing “phospholipids” are being sold in various
. . . continued on page 84
Introducing...
ORGANICBROWN
RICE PROTEIN
with
PROBIOTICS
ORGANICRAINBOW
BLEND
with
PROBIOTICS
• Certified Organic
• Rich, Unique Blend of Red, Green, Blue,
Orange & Purple Fruits & Vegetables
• Organic Acacia Fiber, Green Tea, Herbs & Spirulina
• Multiple Strains of Nondairy Probiotics for Diverse
Digestive Support*
• Designed to Support the Whole Body*
• Certified Organic, Gluten Free & Vegetarian
• Multiple Nondairy Probiotic Strains to Support
Digestive Health*
• Low Temperature, Hexane Free
Extracted Protein†
• Complete Amino Acid Profiles
• Easy to Mix & Smooth Texture
SINCE 1973 cGMP GUARANTEED TRUTH IN LABELING
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
†These processes apply only to the Organic Brown Rice Protein ingredient.
Your Health,
Our Research
,
40 years and getting stronger.