Fish oil supplements continue to prove themselves as the wonder health supplement. From the World Health Organization recommending regular intake of fish oil as part of normal dietary regimen, to the American Heart Association encouraging Omega-3 fatty acids to improve cardiovascular health, fish oil supplements have garnered wide-ranging support across the medical community.

The most widely recognized benefits of Omega 3 fish oil supplements are related to the heart: lowering blood pressure, reducing the likelihood of heart attack and stroke, reducing the accumulation of plaque in arteries, and lowering triglyceride levels. But the best fish oil offers health benefits far beyond just the cardiovascular. Recognized health benefits for mental acuity, helping reduce certain types of pain, bolstering body immunity and much more besides.

Fish oil supplements are not all the same. For the best fish oil, look for the concentration of EPA and DHA fatty acids, and whether your brand is certified for quality.

Ingredients for the best fish oil

There are two Omega-3 fatty acids that are crucial for giving fish oil the fortifying properties it has come to be known for – Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Like all nutrients from nature, the concentration of these substances in a given amount of fish oil depends greatly on the source and how the oil is processed. In short, not all fish oil is equally beneficial for health – and, consequently, not all Omega-3 supplements are what they claim.

Here are four ways in which fish oil quality can vary greatly from brand to brand.

• EPA and DHA concentration – Fish oil will contain different levels of EPA and DHA fatty acids. When buying a fish oil or supplement, make sure to check for the levels of these Omega-3 fatty acids as a measure of quality.
• Impurities – Fish oil supplements must conform to the respective drug and food safety norms they are subject to in their jurisdictions, but checks can only go so far. It is up to the producer to ensure that only the best catch is used and oil is processed in accordance with best practices.
• Processing and handling – How fish oil is stored, treated and transported will affect its potency. Its proclivity to oxidizing also means that extra measures must be taken to ensure its quality. Independent testing of quality is essential for a standard and high-quality product.
• Cheaper brands– Fish oil supplements are not all created equal. Cheap, no-name suppliers have been proven to offer supplements that do not meet advertised health benefits.

Transparency and accountability in fish oil

Until recently the main assurance of high quality of fish oil supplements has been the brand itself. Customers trust their brand to follow quality sourcing and processing practices to ensure they receive a product that delivers on the quality they expect. Given the need for increased scrutiny of fish oil quality, industry bodies have started to assess fish oil for its quality. Such initiatives are bringing new levels of transparency to the industry, and, ultimately, giving consumers the power to make informed decisions about their fish oil.

We assure our quality by offering full traceability and transparency on our sourcing of fish oil. We are IFOS and Friend of the Sea certified, for sustainable fish oil harvesting.

AquaOmega brings a different approach to offering the best fish oil. We frequently visit our fishing grounds to ensure fish quality, and to ensure that we support sustainable fishing practices. Our 5 star IFOS rated facility processes fish oil the very same day it is extracted, significantly reducing the chances of oxidization. Our facility produces the best fish oil, with purity levels of over 94%. And the finished product is tested in third party laboratories according to global standards.

Our fish oil supplements contain some of the highest concentrations of EPA and DHA for a product with combined contents. Exceeding other products’ levels by almost a factor of 5! Our products constitute the ideal EPA and DHA ratio. And we continually strive to innovate our formulation.