The amount of research this man puts into his topics impresses me. I was worried about some of the ones I was taking, so I checked into them. Sure enough, ascorbic acid is the main ingredient of my Vitamin C that is an off brand.
Most of my supplements are from Standard Process and Life Extension. I trust them, but trust and verify. I had bad heartburn when I started taking my latest Omega - 3s from Life Extension that I didn’t have from the krill.
Dear Kathryn McCullough,
Thank you for your recent communication.
We are happy to offer more information regarding the processing of our fish oil. However, it is important to note that any discomfort you experience when taking our fish oil supplements is likely due to the potency of our fish oil supplements, which provide around 1200 mg of EPA/DHA per serving, while our Krill Healthy Joint Formula contains approximately 54 mg of EPA/DHA per serving. Regarding fish oils being harmful, please provide a link to the article you are referencing for the most appropriate response.
In the meantime, it is important to note that Krill and fish oils are both healthful marine oils from ocean-dwelling animals. Both are rich in the beneficial fats known as omega-3 fatty acids, and both help to ease inflammation. However, despite their apparent similarities, there are three critical differences between these two marine oil products:
The first point of differentiation is the intended benefit and dosage. Fish oil is widely recognized for promoting cardiovascular health and favorably affecting blood lipids. Fish oil taken in sufficient doses may lower triglycerides and favorably modify other vascular risk factors, such as small-dense LDL. Optimal doses of EPA and DHA for most people are 1,400 mg and 1,000 mg, respectively. Krill oil also provides EPA and DHA (in the phospholipid forms), but it does not provide them at levels high enough for optimal cardiovascular protection.
The second point of differentiation is the site of action of the two marine oils. Fish oils favorably modulate inflammatory cytokines circulating in the blood (that’s i in part, how they exert their beneficial cardiovascular effects). On the other hand, Krill oil has beneficial effects locally in the joint. In one study, krill oil, but not fish oil, reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joint and joint lining tissues, a vital effect in reducing discomfort, swelling, and loss of function in arthritis.
Purified fish oil concentrates are a more cost-effective way of obtaining high doses of EPA/DHA. Just 300 mg a day of krill oil has been shown to support joint health and function, whereas 2400 mg of EPA/ DHA are needed each day to provide the systemic benefits of EPA and DHA omega-3s. For comparison, one would need approximately 30 softgels containing about 300 mg of krill oil to obtain similar amounts of DHA as found in just two purified & concentrated fish oil softgels.
These three important points of distinction explain why it is essential to continue supplementation with high-dose fish oil to maintain optimal cardio-protection and support a healthy inflammatory response and to add krill oil for joint-specific support and protection.
Concerns about low-quality fish oil supplements do not apply to Life Extension products as they are highly tested. A highly refined fish oil is imperative for removing allergens such as soy and contaminants such as mercury, lead, PCBs, and dioxins. The “crude” fish oil goes through a careful multistep molecular distillation and filtration process, where the crude oil is refined down to an omega-3 concentrate free of heavy metals and contaminants. During the molecular distillation, the oil is exposed to low heat in a vacuum setting. During this step, no oxygen is present, which protects the oil from potential oxidization. This necessary step removes many of the undesirable free fatty acids and contaminants and concentrates the oil down to the desired EPA and DHA content.
Super Omega-3 EPA/DHA with Sesame Lignans & Olive Extract (item number 01982) is made with a fresh, IFOS™ 5-star rated fish oil. The secret is advanced purification and processing technology, and the result is an ultra-refined fish oil packed with the healthy omega-3s your body needs to stay healthy and live better. Our proprietary process allows for purification and concentration without using solvents such as hexane, acetone, methanol, petroleum ether, or excessive heat. We then monitor for 22 environmental and oxidative impurities. Our fish oil products provide high amounts of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. These unique, healthy fats promote heart health, help maintain healthy vascular function, support cognitive health, inhibit inflammatory factors to support joint health, and much more. Most of our fish oil products also provide sesame lignans and olive extract to support fish oil’s beneficial effects and guard against lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation is a chain reaction created by free radicals influencing unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes, leading to their damage. Free radicals are initiators and terminators of lipid peroxidation processes. Since fish oil helps modulate free radical damage, it is highly suggested to promote healthy levels of oxidative stress.
Our Super Omega-3 fish oil is pre-blended with olive polyphenols, mixed tocopherols, and rosemary extracts to assist in the prevention of oxidation and degradation of the material. Life Extension understands the great importance of protecting fish oil from rancidity, which is why these extra antioxidants are present in the Super Omega-3 fish oil. Adding these antioxidants is similar to the idea of using lemon juice on freshly cut fruit. The antioxidants in the lemon juice protect the cut fruit from turning brown (oxidation), just as the polyphenols, mixed tocopherols, and rosemary protect the fish oil. Olive fruit extract contains oleuropein, which has been shown to provide numerous protective benefits.
We ensure that oxidation is minimized by performing tests to assess oxidation levels, including those for the value of peroxide, anisidine, totox acid, absorbance, and oligomers. The results of each are required to be well below those set in international regulatory standards. These low levels of oxidation values show that the oil has been carefully and correctly treated during storage, transportation, and processing.
Moreover, Life Extension’s Super Omega-3 fish oil is tested by the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS™) testing program. This is a testing program for the purity and potency of fish oil supplements. IFOS™ tests the fish oils for heavy metals, oxidation, and radiation. Our potent Super Omega-3 fish oil consistently receives the highest 5-star rating from this respected organization. This means that Super Omega-3 fish oil tests well below the acceptable range for contaminants and shows superior purity and concentration.
You can view the quality reports for the Super Omega-3 EPA/DHA Fish Oil, Sesame Lignans & Olive Extract using the link below:
https://certifications.nutrasource.ca/certified-products/product?id=LEXT0002
Thank you for contacting Life Extension and choosing us as your trusted source of health information and quality dietary supplements.
Dear Kathryn McCullough,
Thank you for your recent communication.
We appreciate you taking the time to send the article. Unfortunately, the site has some misleading claims, so it appears that the focus is on using marketing tactics to scare consumers rather than providing realistic, well-rounded information. For instance, stating that fish oil is from soybean oil but not explaining that the oil is so refined there are no allergic soy proteins left behind and that this form of manufacturing produces fish oil concentrates used in studies that show positive outcomes. The following articles offer insight into our commitment to quality supplements, including fish oil:
https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2015/10/finding-a-high-quality-fish-oil
https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2015/7/relentless-commitment-to-quality
If there is anything else that we can help you with, please e-mail us or call the wellness specialist helpline at (800) 226-2370; international customers dial 001-954-202-7660. We will be glad to assist you.
Thank you for contacting Life Extension and choosing us as your trusted source of health information and quality dietary supplements.
For Longer Life,
Life Extension
Wellness Specialist Correspondence Team
(800) 226-2370
Please note: Life Extension provides scientific information to customers and their health care providers. There is no patient-practitioner relationship established as a result of this information or discussions or correspondence with Life Extension.
Life Extension does not provide medical advice and any discussion or information provided does not create any practitioner-patient relationship. The information and products provided are solely to support your health and not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease and should not be used as a substitute for diagnosis and treatment by your personal physician.
I am going to be much more careful what I put in my body for supplements.