For all the talk about fish oil being the “cure all” of our time, I find it ironic that 95% of fish oil being sold and consumed is being delivered in a form that is not ideally absorbed by the body.
And I don’t say that lightly.
The problem comes from the way fish oil is processed.
In ancient times, fish oil was a staple. It had a long tradition and everyone understood its nourishing and energizing effects.
Even soldiers in the Roman army were given a ration of fish oil to support their strength, stamina and clarity of mind.
But back then, fish oil was made by hand and was usually fermented. This allowed for the fish oil to be transported and eliminated the danger of it spoiling.
Today, the process is much different and not nearly as effective.
Because almost all of the fish we eat contains heavy metals like mercury, fish oil must be decontaminated using a method called “molecular distillation.” Of course, making sure your fish oil is free from heavy metals and other toxins is critical, but the way they take out the toxins creates a new problem.
When found in nature, omega-3 fatty acids are in their natural triglyceride form (TG). However, in order to to purify the oil it is necessary to add ethanol (an industrial alcohol) to form a synthetic substrate.
In a vacuum, the mix is then distilled and the result is a concentrated omega-3 ethyl ester (EE) solution. Chemically, this new form replaces the glycerol backbone of the oil with ethanol.
The benefit is a pure fish oil, and the ability to concentrate the healthy omega-3’s like DHA and EPA. This is why almost all of the “highly concentrated” fish oils are in the EE form.
However, research is now showing that although this form of fish oil can yield higher concentrations of omega-3s, there are some absorbability issues.
The EE Form of Fish Oil Is Not As Easily Absorbed
According to multiple published studies the EE version was up to 50% less absorbable1 than the triglyceride form, and almost 300% less absorbable2 than the triglyceride form if not taken with a high fat meal.
So if you are going to take the EE form, make sure to consume it with a high fat meal at the very least.
What most people don’t know is that manufacturers can in fact convert the omega-3 concentrated EE form back into the healthy triglyceride form.
But manufacturers do NOT do it because the costs are significantly higher.
So instead, they sell you “powerful” fish oil that you have a hard time absorbing. Even worse, very few (if any) manufacturers of the EE form indicate that it is EE on the bottle.
How to Tell if Your Concentrated Fish Oil is EE or TG
This is a cool experiment (and fun for the kids).
1. Get some small Styrofoam cups and put them on some paper towels.
2. Take 3 of your fish pills and empty the liquid into one cup.
3. Get a certified TG form bottle of fish oil and empty 3 of those into another cup.
4. Wait 10 minutes.
5. Come back and take a look!
If the cup has disintegrated, your pills are the EE form. If they are TG, there will still be liquid in the cup and very little if any disintegration.
Why this happens is under debate. I find it a little unsettling to watch the EE form eat into the cup… but remember we are not made of Styrofoam so it is doubtful the EE form is doing any actual damage.
It is simply not as powerful as advertised.
Stay tuned and I can share more about the benefits of the concentrated TG form.
Until next time,
Steven Sisskind, M.D.
P.S. As you may have guessed, when we formulated our Omega-3 product we chose TG over EE even though it costs more. We also did two other things to make our Omega-3 product better than the rest. Click Here and learn why RealDose Super Critical Omega-3TG is the best omega-3 delivery system in the industry.
1J Lipid Res. 1990 Jan; 31(1):137-Visioli F. Rise P, Barassi MC, Marangoni F. Galli C. (2003) Dietary intake of fish vs. formuations leads to higher plasma concentrations of n-3 fatty acids. Lipids, 38, 415-8
2Lawson LD, Hughes BG., 1988. Absorption of eicosapentaenoic acid and
docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil triacylycerols or fish oil ethyl esters co-ingested with a high-fat meal. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Oct 31; 156(2):960-3
RealMeal GF™
Super Critical Omega-3 TG ™
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Wow thanks for the information, I will test the ones I have.
I have been using regular fish oil for some time. I must assume it is the EE kind, since I just buy the cheapest I can find. No brand loyalty here. I am just cheap. I have had excellent results. Over the last couple of years my cholesterol level has dropped to 110 or so, the good cholesterol has increased from almost none to a healthy 95 or so. Additional side benefits I not longer suffer from regular constipation, bouts of hemorroids. Sounds like a win-win thing to me. Fish Oil works. If you have any of the above mentioned problems GO FOR THE FISH OIL, until someones comes up with something better.
Dear Dr. Steve: Your advice/help is needed.
Dr Steve: I would like your advice.
I have been on the program for 21days now.
I have been a A+ student as far as following the guidelines.
My first question for you is since I have not lost one pound yet, should I go on to continue the pills for a second month?
I am reading about all the terrific results.
My second question is: Do you recommend any jump start helping ideas?
Thank you in advance for you response. I will check back here.
Jo Jo
I hope that I wont get the same (NOTHING) results after 21days!!!!
Hi Valerie, thanks for writing in. I agree with you, and results will vary from person to person. However, most of our customers get great results that’s why our re-order rate is so high.
Many thanks for information
Is Krill oil better than fish oil? Can I use the same “water in styrofoam” experiment?
Hi Jr, thanks for writing in. You can do the same water test with krill oil. There is some evidence that fish oil may absorb more easily than krill oil.
I have been on the program for a month as well
The only thing I found was I got really cranky
Taking the pills. I was so disappointed . I am about to start
My second months with absolutely no results
Hi Crystal – Thanks for checking in with us. Lets get you started on our Healthy Life Program to determine what may be your weight loss factor. I have asked one of our specialists to contact you with more information.
i took it for 60 days and did not lose any weight, very dissapointed.
Hi Bob – I’m so sorry to hear about this. Omega 3′s don’t usually cause weight loss alone, but rather can support a healthy metabolism. So if you were to take 2 people who were dieting and exercising for a long period of time, the one getting enough omega-3 fats is predicted to lose more weight in the future. I want each of my customers to get beneficial results, so I will have a Healthy Life Specialist contact you to offer additional support! Please let us know how we can help you best.
Dr. Steve. I don’t have the time to do all that testing with the fish. Could you just give us a few brands which you know to be TG? By the way I’m doing great on the program. I’m in my 3rd week and I’ve lost a great deal of weight already.My biggest satisfaction is the energy I have when I leave home every morning. A little secret. I make fresh juice every morning of celery, spinach, ginger, garlic, and carrots. That juice is an energy bomb. I also eat a salad everyday along with protein like egg white and beans.I don’t do it perfectly yet. I still eat bread as I love salmon sandwiches.But we don’t have to follow the system perfectly to see great results. I’m fitting into clothes I haven’t worn in years as my waist is melting. Thanks dr. Steve.
For TG fish oil, try Rockwell Nutrition. Hope it helps
Fish Oil with the ethanol backbone is generally a petroleum based distillate. Any liquid based on petroleum will disolve styrofoam since it is a plastic which is also a produced from petroleum. A little science behind the experiment. Thank you for the experiment by the way. I’m going to go home and try it tonight on my Cosco Fish Oil.
Costco fish oil, the Kirkland brand, does dissolve a styrofoam cup. I had already switched to one I buy at a natural food store called made by Nordic Naturals. It did not dissolve the cup one bit. Thank you for this experiment. I did it and showed it to my husband. We were both AMAZED at watching it happen. The difference was so apparent. I then looked up your article again and read it to him. He was convinced immediately and said that’s why you say your fish oil makes a difference and mine doesn’t.
Dr.Steve….what about liquid fish oils…are there the same absorption problems as with the capsules?
Hi Kathy – Thank you for your question. Liquid fish oil still takes one of the following forms: free acids, triacylglycerols or ethyl esters. Here’s a good research article which describes this a little more and shows examples of digestion:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X88807186
I hope this helps!
Thanks for this info. Very interesting. Tried it with my capsules and the oil did not disintegrate the styrofoam cup as expected. Mine are CVS odorless Fish Oil 1200 mg. Heart, Joint & Skin Health. Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids are 360 mg.
How much of each type of oil is required to deliver the same dosage? I take omega 3 oil E-EPA precisely because it is separated, purified and ethylated, and more effective than EPA with DHA. The ethyl molecule ensures the EPA crosses the blood-brain barrier quickly, and EPA is absorbed in the brain more effectively singly than if delivered with DHA. DHA levels remain fairly stable in the brain while EPA must be replenished often. DHA also competes with EPA for absorption when delivered together. E-EPA can be safely used as anti-depressant and anti-anxiety agent, or with other medication for ADHD and bi-polar depression, without side effects, even for the treatment resistant.
Hi Liz – Thank you for writing in. I can see your main goal is brain health specifically. I couldn’t say how much oil is required specifically, as this really depends on the type of oil/product. Though individual needs can vary, its recommended you take in at least 1-2g of both EPA and DHA each day.
While EPA and DHA can compete for the blood brain barrier, they are both very essential to brain health and development. Having ethyl forms of the fatty acid, though it raises transfer in the brain, it is first poorly absorbed in the blood stream from the intestine. This is shown in the following study:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X88807186
Certain conditions like ADHD or depression warrant the separate use of the two fatty acids, or higher concentrations of one or the other. However for most it is not necessary and triglyceride forms of fish oil raise serum levels of both fatty acids. Thanks for writing in! These are good questions each person needs to evaluate for themself.
I have yet to do the experiment to find out about the fish oil I take. Do you think it is necessary if you can see you are having good results? Should I assume that the results would be better if I took the TG form of fish oil?
Currently, I found that the brand Health From The Sun PFO (pure fish oil) liquid that is molecularly distilled with 715mg EPA and 470mg DHA per tsp. seems to be a tremendous help in treating my depression. I am taking 3 tablespoons (not tsp) a day with some fat in a meal, along with added mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) and keeping the fish oil refrigerated. Another important piece to this puzzle is to add L-Carnitine since this aids in the transport of the fatty acids.
Another brand I keep is Natural Factors RxOmega-3 Factors Pharmaceutical Grade, 400mg EPA 200mg DHA but it does not say if it is molecularly distilled? I wonder if this means it is the TG form? I look forward to doing the experiment on these two fish oils and thank you for bringing it to my attention. I am currently using this brand for my twin 18 year olds who suffer from Aspergers Syndrom and the other boy has Bipolar. They are able to do without any medication, due in part with using fish oil and specific amino acids.
For reference please read, The Omega-3 Connection by Dr. Andrew Stoll and The LCP Solution by Dr. Jacqueline Stordy. These are just two of the many books I have investigated to find the way to stability for my family. Please note, I am not connected to these brands of fish oil or the authors of these books. I only mention them because it is hard to keep a good thing to myself. Good health to you all!
Hi Mary – Thanks for commenting. It couldn’t hurt to do the styrofoam test to be more well informed about your product. I couldn’t comment on the integrity of these other products, but you can always search for external testings which have been done through sites like consumerlabs.com.
Thanks for sharing your beneficial strategies!
I have been using “Life Extension ” ‘Super Omega-3′
EPA/DHA with Sesame Lignans & Olive Fruit Estract.
What can you tell me about these please …
Hi Malcolm – Thank you for your comment. I looked at this product and couldn’t say much. If you would like more information regarding what form their omega 3 product is in (triglyceride or something else). If you contact them by phone or email, their customer service should be able to answer this question. I hope that helps!
Dear Dr. Steve, Thank you for the info about the styrofoam cup and omega 3 capsule. I was taking a heart synergy combo including the omega 3 capsule which I have now cancelled after doing the test. Thanks also for the tip about drinking 2 cups of water before meals. I will start doing this. I am in my 70′s and find it hard to remember to take my formula No.1 30 minutes before meals, I don’t always have my meals at the same time of day to take them.. Do you have any tips for remembering to take them.
Hi D – Thank you for your comment. Some customers find it helpful to split a bottle of the product in half and keep half of the product’s pills with them in a purse or bag and keep the other half at work. Also, The research studies completed on our product were done on each ingredient individually. In the studies, the ingredients were administered 30 minutes prior to meals. So in an effort to keep things consistent with the studies we recommend taking the capsules 30 minutes before each meal. This is why we suggest taking it as close to 30 minutes before your meal as possible, however if you forget, please do not skip the dose.
Take it as soon as you remember, this will help it be most effective. I hope that helps!
What do I have to do to be able to read any replies there may have been added please?
Oh … they now appear :))
Dear Dr.Steve
I have been taking Real dose Formula#1 since June and have only lost 4 pounds. Whats wrong???
Hi Mary – I’m sorry to hear about your lacking effects. With no information, I couldn’t say what is happening, but I will put you in touch with one of our Healthy Life Specialists to determine if there isn’t something you can do for more results.
Good luck!
This is my second month.I lost only 2 pounds and I completely and religiously following the diet. I am taking also the Real dose Omega 3.I am giving a second try but I am little bit disappointed.Any advices????
Hi Alessandro – Thanks for commenting. I’m sorry you have not had adequate weight loss at this time. Our customers benefit the most by a couple of key changes in their diet:
1. Eliminating wheat and wheat products from their diet (Wheat isn’t necessarily bad, but it tends to be so heavily processed that it spikes blood sugars and causes a lot of body fat storage).
2. Eating as much vegetables as you can (at least 5 EACH day). Fruits are also very important. Research shows over and over how those who eat more vegetables each day tend to weigh less over time.
I hope this helps! I will also forward your information on to one of our specialists to see if there may be some strategies that they can identify with you.
Too too good – I just read my email, WHILE watching the news – and as strange as the timing is – it was great – they just discussed the same EXACT issue – about fish oil – which I have taken for 4 years. Luckily I went into the drawer in the bathroom and I am taking the natural triglyceride form! ! ! Thank you -
Well I have just written to Blackmore’s down here in Au to ask what process they use. I want to hear it from the company. I have used their product for years. I use it for brain food rather than my heart.
Hi Mike – Thanks for the comment. Most companies should know in what form their fish oil is, because it is a common part of their manufacturing.
Hi there,
I just tried the styrofoam trick. Wow! My cheap brand leaked in about 5 minutes and by morning had eaten the whole bottom of the cup and part way up the sides. My expensive brand was still in the cup(Nordic Naturals). The other brand is now in the trash.
Regarding the RealDose, maybe I lost a pound the first month. I have about 7 pounds I would like to shed. I am female and almost 70 and would love to gain muscle mass and strength.
Would love help in this department.
Hi Jay – Thank you for sharing this test result! I’m going to send you some information on our Healthy Life Program which may be able to help you with your goals.
Good luck!
Hi Dr Steven I have been using omega 3 liquid form of Nordic Naturals and it is written that is a superior triglyceride form, is this secure to know is easy absorbed ?
Thank you
Hi Maria – Thank you for your email. Companies can say this about their product without it actually being true, though I don’t think that is the case with Nordic Naturals. The best way is to do the styrofoam cup experiment. This will tell you whether or not the product is in a triglyceride form. Good question!
How many capsules of your fish oil do you have to take to get 2.4 grams of EPA & DHA daily? Am I correct in assuming that if a capsule says it has 500 mg, you would need to take 5 a day to get 2.5 grams?
Hi Nina – Thanks for writing in. Every 2 capsules contains 1200mg of combined EPA and DHA. So taking 2 capsules twice a day (4 total daily) helps you meet this 2.4 grams recommended each day. I hope that helps. You can view a supplement facts label at the following link under the right ingredients tab:
http://www.realdose.com/store/omega-3/
The stomach is HIGHLY ACIDIC, therefore any oil that is swallen (wethere it is oilive oil, fish oil or beef fat) will be broken down (digested by the stomach acid) and it will be indistiguishable.
Then, how one oil is different than another?
Efraim
Hello Efraim,
Thank you for posting your question to our website. Beef fat is normally High in cholesterol and can take longer for the body to digest where as oil oil and fish oil are Not high in cholesterol and tend to digest easier in the body that animal fats. I hoped I have answered your question. If you have any additional questions please feel free to post them to our website. Here’s To Your Good Health!
Dr. Steve,
I unfortunately sustained a TBI(traumatic brain injury) back in Jan. of 2003 when I had a Shunt put in my brain,. I’ve been taking 2 fish oil pills (almost) every morning ever since then because I’m trying to regain SOME of the memory that I use to have.
You see, I had just graduated high school in 2002 and I finished my 1st semester of college, when BOOM! My life was brought to a screaming hault! I’m still in Jr. college and I’m almost 29 now. I’ve been taking 1 or 2 classes(some passed/some failed) every semester since fall of ’05. Though when I did return to school, I took various cognitive skills classes for the first couple of years. I’m not writing to tell you about my horrific accident, though I am writing to ask if you know of any treatment(s) to help my memory. –I’ve also done (about) 120 Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments for 1 or 2 hours per session, trying to re-grow some of the neurons that were damaged or lost.
Thank You–Derek
Hi Derek,
Thank you for taking a moment and posting your questions and story to our website. I am very sorry that you have underwent so much trauma in your young life. As much as I would like to help you, I do not have your medical history, so I not comfortable providing you with any medical advice related to your injuries. I would suggest that you contact your physician and discuss further treatments and rehabilitation options that may be available to you. “You many want to contact the people at: http://www.amenclinics.com/, this is their specialty and I know and trust Dr. Amen. Thanks” I am sorry I could not be more helpful and thank you again for posting to our website.
Fish Oil Gives Me a Reaction Because I Have Gout So I Take Salmon Oil ans I Have No Problems.
Fish Oil is Mackeral and Sardines. Both are Bad for People with Gout.
HI Dr. Steven,
We eat fresh sardines every day (baked), as they are fished from Arabian Gult they are very salty (and we don’t add any salt to the fish). Does this high content of salt in the sardines is a cause for concern in relation to BP. And taking two sardines 5 days a week does it take of care of our daily requirement of EPA & DHA. Thank you.
Hi Zabi,
Thank you for posting your question to our website. Sardines are a wonderful source of Protein and Omega 3 and in conjunction with an Omega 3 fish oil supplement I am sure you are getting your daily required EPA & DHA.
Will this experiment ork with liquid cod liver oil?
Hi Stan,
Thank you for posting to our website. I would curious myself to find out if it works on cod oil. I guess the only way to find out is to try. Please keep me posted if you have any luck.
Steve,
I tried your test on my Fish Oil pills. It is not EE type. States on bottle that they use the State of the art purtification process and use only fish from deep ocean waters and no farm fish. The barnd I use is Nature Made,1000mg with 300 mg OMEGA-3. Has Healthy Heart seal.
Thank you for very very much for this interesting article and the others, too. And thank you for keeping it short and to the point. Some go on for hours and wind up trying to sell something. Appreciate all your articles.
HI Jerry,
Thank you for posting your thoughts to our website. being healthy and having accurate scientific information is very important to maintaining a Healthy lifestyle. Thank you for your comments about our Realdose articles.
In reference to NatureMade fish oil. I have a bottle in my hand that states it is ethyl esters in very small print.
Saves me having to do the test.
Great info about fish oil. I tried the test and my fish oil flunked. It ate through the cup in a matter of minutes. I am taking what I thought was a high quality brand from a major vitamin company. It looks like I need to change my brand.
They claim it’s produced from calamari which gives it much more DHA per volume.
Does the fact that its from squid affect how it’s processed?
Is more DHA necessarily better?
Does the source of the oil (fish, shrimp,squid) affect the quality of the end product?
Thanks for the help.
Hi Nolan – Thanks for writing in. I’ve never heard of kinds made from calamari. I’m sure it’s possible, though it seems like this product did not live up to the test. It’s hard to say if there is a best source of omega 3′s like DHA. Everyone needs DHA, so having the largest possible amount from a supplement is preferred. Smaller fish like anchovies and mackeral have less pollutants and are more environmentally friendly to use, however there are still high quality supplements made from other fish as well. I hope that helps!
I am interest at your opinion of Bio Trust Nutrition products? I tried the Lepitburn and Ic5 and suffered the worst constipation of m y life. I do drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily when doing a weight loss is constipation .aside effect?
Also do you know a brand that has 800 to1000 milligrams of total omega-3 per softgel. I would also like a enteric-coated softgel with vitamin D3 approved by International Fish OIL Standards for purity.
Hi John – I’m sorry you experienced this side effect! We know the principals of BioTrust and have determined that they are producing high quality products and are supporting their customers well. For those who don’t feel like RealDose is the product for them, we recommend Biotrust products. There may be a supplement that contains that level of omega 3 per capsule, however the downside is that the capsule itself would be huge and possibly difficult to swallow. You can see the details of our high quality omega 3 by going to this link and viewing the supplement facts: http://www.realdose.com/store/omega-3/
If you have any additional questions, feel free to comment again or write us at support@realdose.com.
Thanks and take care!
Hi Dr. Steve,
What are your thoughts on krill oil vs. fish oil.
Thanks,
Pam
Hi Pam,
Thanks for posting your question to our website. Studies have shown Omega 3 Fish Oil to help reduce inflammation, improve brain health, enhance heart health, help with natural weight management, and improve mood. You may not see anything visibly dramatic in the first 30 days, however, customers often report that they “feel” better, their mood and mental performance seems to be improved, and they have more energy with less perceived inflammation. Over time, it’s possible you’ll notice additional benefits, such as accelerated weight loss or improved immunity, however, it’s unrealistic to expect dramatic weight loss in 30 days, just from taking Fish Oil alone.
To learn more visit our website: http://www.realdose.com/store/omega-3/
Dear Dr. Susskind,
I am starting my second bottle of your weight loss Realdose, I have not seen any difference and I have given up so many foods that I have eaten and tried to lose weight. I can see no difference or loss of weight. I am going to keep it upone more month taking the realdose. Do you give a money back guenantee with this since it was $150.00 and that i a lot of money to me.? I am disappointed, but I have not given up. I will not give up but I can not afford to pay so much if I am not getting results. Thank you for answering my request. P
Hello Phyllis,
Thank you for posting to our website. We’re sorry you are not yet getting the results you expected. For some people, it does take some time for your body to begin to respond to the product and changes you are making. We recommend a slow and gradual weight loss of 1-2 lbs/week. This is what is best to prevent the weight from coming back. I don’t want you to get discouraged, because it sounds like you are doing things right. However, because it has taken a while for you to gain the weight, it will most likely take some time to get rid of. How long that is, I couldn’t say, but I have no doubts that with your continued efforts you will eventually see results. We are here to help every step of the way with advice, coaching and guidance so that you don’t feel like you are doing this alone. If you would like help on any area of weight loss which you may be struggling with, please let me know and I could arrange a time for one of our Health Specialists to speak with you about our complimentary Healthy Life Program.If you’re not happy with your results, simply notify us up to one full year after purchase by calling (800) 928-5580 (Outside U.S. +1-307-222-6725 ) or visiting http://www.realdose.com/ContactUs and we’ll make arrangements for you to receive a 100% refund (less shipping, if applicable). No questions asked. No unusual hoops to jump through.