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OneHerb.com
PO Box 49316
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Toll Free:
1-888-825-7970
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What are Essential
Fatty Acids (EFAs) and why are they important?
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids constitute the two
families of EFAs. EFAs are considered "essential" because
they are needed throughout the human life cycle, cannot be manufactured
in the human body, therefore they must be obtained through our diet
on a daily basis for optimal health and wellness. The body must
receive a constant and balanced supply of EFAs to ensure proper
prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins are beneficial hormone-like
compounds that affect virtually every system in the body. They regulate
pain and swelling, help maintain proper blood pressure and cholesterol
levels, and promote fluidity in nerve transmission.
What are early signs
of EFA deficiency?
• Fatigue
• Poor memory
• Immune weakness
• Dry skin, eczema or hair loss
• Heart problems
• Reproductive problems (men
and women)
• Mood swings or depression
• Poor circulation
Where can I get a
direct source of EFAs ?
Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are found in cold
water fish such as sardines, mackerel, anchovies and cod liver. GLA,
an Omega-6 fatty acid, is abundant in borage and evening primrose
oil. What type of fish
does Nordic Naturals use in their products?
Nordic Naturals' fish oils come from sardines and anchovies,
except for our Children's DHA Formula and Arctic Cod Liver Oil products
(in flavored liquids or capsules) which come exclusively from virgin
Arctic cod liver in the fresh, northern Norwegian waters.
What’s the difference
between fish oil and flax seed oil?
Omega-3 fatty acids fall into two major categories: Plant derived (flax seed oil, yielding alpha linolenic acid or ALA)
or marine derived (fish oil, yielding both EPA and DHA). The human
conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is somewhat slow and can be inhibited
by various conditions such as a diet high in linoleic acid (Omega-6),
trans-fatty acids such as fast foods and baked goods, alcohol intake,
certain health conditions, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies (B3,
B6, C, zinc, magnesium). Fish, on the other hand, is a direct source
of EPA and DHA. The general consensus is that
only about 15% of ALA converts to EPA, and it may not convert to DHA
at all.
How soon will I see
results?
It will vary depending on the concentration of the
fish oil, your current nutritional state, dosage, and current health.
We often will hear that our customers "feel better" and
experience "clearer thinking" and "an enhanced well
being" within 2 weeks. For better results, we recommend you take
EFAs daily for at least two months to evaluate their benefits and
reduce your intake of hydrogenated and trans-fats.
Are there any side
effects?
Generally, none. Consumers typically report having
more energy and greater mental clarity while taking EFAs. If you experience
repeat (burping) or a bad taste, your supplement may be rancid (oxidized)
or your body may not be manufacturing enough lipase, the digestive
enzyme our bodies make to digest fats and oils. If you haven't ingested
fish oils for a long time, it might take a week or so for your body
to adjust and make more of this enzyme.
Is it safe to take
EFAs derived from fish? I’ve heard that fish oil contains
mercury and other environmental toxins.
Fish oils may contain environmental toxins that accumulates
in fish during its life span. Potential toxins can be virtually eliminated
given the use of high quality raw materials and a technologically
advanced refining process utilizing the very latest distillation technologies.
Nordic Naturals fish oils are molecularly distilled utilizing a leading
edge enzymatic process, where any potential heavy metals and dioxins
are removed. Third party testing document the complete absence of
heavy metals and dioxins (where heavy metals are tested down to 25
particles per billion and dioxins down to 0.5 particles per trillion).
While Nordic Naturals' policy is to test competing products on an
ongoing basis to monitor the overall quality level of the fish oil
industry, Nordic Naturals has never found a competing product to match
its freshness and purity levels.
Do pregnant women
need EFAs?
It is especially important for a pregnant and breastfeeding woman
to consume DHA (one of the omega-3s in fish oil) because the developing
baby is dependent on mom! DHA is an essential fat – we must
get it from diet or supplements, because our bodies don’t make
it - and consuming enough DHA is critical for normal and healthy
development of infant brain, eyes, and nervous system. Inadequate
consumption of DHA during pregnancy has been linked to shortened
gestational periods and premature delivery.
Experts recommend that women consume 300-600 mg of DHA daily while
pregnant and breastfeeding. As with any supplement, it is best to
consult your health care professional.
What is the recommended
intake of Omega-3 fatty acids?
ISSFAL Recommended
Dosage Chart
| Category |
Weight |
Dosage |
| Infants (1-18 months) |
0-15 lbs |
32 mg/lb EPA+DHA |
| Children (1.5-15 yrs) |
|
15 mg/lb EPA+DHA |
| Adults (15-115 yrs) |
|
650 mg EPA+DHA |
| |
|
220 mg EPA -minimum |
| |
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220 mg DHA -minimum |
| Lactating Women |
|
300 mg DHA daily |
Can we get enough
EFAs from the food we eat?
Fish is one of the most abundant sources of EFAs, but
Americans simply don’t eat enough fish on a regular basis. Even
those who eat fish several times a week aren’t getting enough
EFAs because much of the fish consumed today are farm raised (fed
a diet of grains instead of fish meal) and lack a significant amounts
of EPA and DHA. In addition, there are several factors that can lead
to a reduced absorption of EFAs: Age, poor diet, alcohol consumption,
low levels of certain vitamins and minerals, some prescription drugs,
compromised immune status, and a diet high in trans-fatty acids (fast
food, baked goods).
Good fats vs. Bad
fats?
The "bad" fats are trans-fatty acids and saturated fats
from animal products. Trans-fatty acids should be avoided completely,
this includes margarine, shortening, and processed foods. Meat and
dairy products contain high levels of saturated fat and should be
eaten in moderation.
The "good" fats include polyunsaturated Essential Fatty
Acids (EFAs). EFAs are considered "essential" because
they are needed throughout the human life cycle, cannot be produced
in the human body, and therefore must be provided through the diet.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids constitute the two families of essential
fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids include corn, soybean, safflower,
and sunflower oil. While it is important that your diet include
both of these essential fatty acids, it is becoming clear that balance
is the key to good health.
What should
I look for when purchasing fish oil?
1. Investigate the manufacturing process. How
is the fish oil manufactured and what are the manufacturing
standards?
2. Smell. Does the fish oil smell fishy? If it
smells fishy, the fish oil has most likely been exposed to oxygen
and is becoming rancid.
3. Taste. Does the fish oil taste fishy? The
freshest fish oils should not taste fishy. Avoid fish oils that
have really strong fruit flavor added to them because they are
most likely trying to hide the fishy flavor of rancid oil.
What is pharmaceutical
grade?
Pharmaceutical grade/standard relates to the purity of an oil.
Nordic Naturals' fish oils are tested, before and after production,
for heavy metals, PCBs, and dioxin. The results are documented showing
the absence of these environmental toxins. Only a true pharmaceutical
grade/standard product will pass these standards.
Nordic Naturals' products test well below pharmaceutical grade/standard
because they are solely based on the Norwegian Medicinal Standard,
which is the only true pharmaceutical grade/standard to be revered.
Will EFAs interfere
with my medical condition or medications I’m taking?
Check with your health care professional since EFAs
can reduce blood viscosity and are not recommended if you are using
blood thinners, taking high doses of aspirin, or anticipating surgery.
Can EFAs be taken
with other supplements?
Yes, EFAs can be taken with a wide variety of supplements.
EFAs are extremely well tolerated, natural, health-promoting, and
safe to use every day.
How does the alginate
in Nordic Naturals' detoxification products bind to environmental
toxins?
Nordic Naturals' detoxification products contain Fucus
and Laminaria algae which has alginate in its cell walls. Alginate
is documented to molecularly bind to heavy metals. Therefore, it only
binds to heavy metals by molecular weight.
Does alginate interfere
with nutrient absorption?
Alginate does not interfere with nutrient absorption
because its binding is selective by molecular weight. It does not
bind to minerals such as iron, calcium, etc.
Why are the calories
the same, even though the omega-3 levels are different?Omega-3s (EPA + DHA) are types of fats (essential fatty
acids) that naturally occur in fish oil. Fish oil happens to be a
great source of EPA + DHA. Fat (all fat) contains 9 calories per gram.
Nordic Naturals offers fish oil supplements with different concentrations
of EPA + DHA, however, a 1 gram capsule is going to have 9 fat calories,
regardless of the amount of EPA + DHA in the capsule. And the 9 calories
is from excellent quality fat, the type of fat our body needs to be
healthy.
Enteric coating of fish
oil capsules has become popular – is it important or necessary?
Some manufacturers have moved to putting fish oil in
enteric coated capsules in response to consumer complaints of 'repeat'
or burping. Enteric coating increases the cost of the product, but
more importantly, it attempts to mask inferior fish oil products.
Fresh and pure fish oil does not need to be masked. If a product is
enteric coated, manufacturers hope that consumers will not experience
'repeat'. It is also important to note that consumers with sub-optimal
digestion may not digest and absorb fish oil from an enteric coated
capsule.
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