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10. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FISH OIL AND FLAX SEED OIL?
Omega-3 fatty acids fall into two major categories: plant-derived (flaxseed) and marine-derived (fish). This is often confusing for physicians and patients, and many think the two are interchangeable. Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which can be partially converted to EPA and DHA, but that conversion is somewhat slow and can be inhibited by lifestyle and health factors. Research shows that approximately 5% of ALA converts to EPA, and just 1% converts to DHA, under optimal conditions. While flaxseed and flaxseed oil may contain many health-promoting benefits, they do not provide your patients with the necessary amounts of EPA and DHA.
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11. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FISH OIL AND KRILL OIL?
Several companies are selling krill oil supplements as a source of omega-3s. Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that are a crucial link in the marine food chain, and concerns about the ecological impact of increased krill fishing has resulted in a ban on this practice on the U.S. West Coast, and strict limits in Norway and Antarctica. In contrast, fish oil supplements are predominantly produced from sardines and anchovies—species that are currently in abundant supply, fi shed well below mandated limits, and considered ideal for sustainability, given their short reproductive cycles.
Fish oil is not only a more sustainable source for omega-3 supplements, it also provides a higher concentration of omega-3, is more molecularly stable, and is backed by more science than krill oil. Currently, there are very few human studies conducted with krill oil, whereas fish oil—when manufactured according to international quality standards—has a proven record of efficacy, purity, safety, and sustainability, and is backed by several thousand published studies.
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12. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FISH OIL AND EATING FISH?
Many people are justifiably concerned about mercury levels and other environmental toxins in fish, especially larger species. Nordic Naturals fish oils provide you with all the benefits of marine omega-3s EPA and DHA, without the risk of toxicity from fish. The fish oil used in every batch of our products is tested by third party laboratories and consistently delivers exceptional results, surpassing the strictest international standards for purity, freshness and potency. Certificates of Analysis are available upon request.
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13. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FISH OIL AND COD LIVER OIL?
Cod liver oil is extracted from the omega-3 rich livers of wild Arctic cod (Skrei), whereas fish oil is extracted from the body flesh of fish. While both are good sources of the omega-3s EPA and DHA, they provide different ratios—cod liver oil generally contains about 9% EPA and 14% DHA, whereas fish oil generally contains about 18% EPA and 12% DHA. Another difference is that cod liver oil also naturally contains healthy amount of vitamins A and D.
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14. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF FISH OIL IS MADE UP OF OMEGA-3s EPA AND DHA?
EPA and DHA have been consistently shown to be the most beneficial fatty acids in thousands of published studies. The following table exhibits the typical values of EPA and DHA in various forms of non-concentrated fish oil.
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Fish Source |
|
EPA |
|
DHA |
| |
Anchovies/Sardines |
|
18% |
|
12% |
| |
Cod Liver Oil |
|
9% |
|
14% |
| |
Salmon |
|
9% |
|
10% |
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