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To answer many common questions about fish oil, omega-3s, and Nordic Naturals in a way that is convenient and accessible, we've grouped them according to the following categories: |
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| *Does Nordic Naturals source fish from areas at risk of radiation exposure as a result of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant incident? | ||||||
| No. Nordic Naturals sources sardines and anchovies off the coast of Peru in the South Pacific Ocean, and Arctic cod (Skrei) from the Norwegian Sea in the North Atlantic. Consistent monitoring and testing have determined that there is no risk of radiation in either of these fishing areas. As a reflection of our commitment to product safety, we have proactively tested our fish oil raw materials for any signs of radiation contamination since the Fukushima incident in March 2011, and have never had a detectable result. We have also continued to monitor and assess any potential contamination, and remain confident that our products are not at risk. As always, we use several proprietary steps in processing our oils at our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant that result in products that surpass the strictest international standards for purity and freshness. We will continue to ensure that all of our fish oil products comply with the US FDA guidelines (CPG 7119.14 Sec. 560.750 Guidance Levels for Radionuclides in Domestic and Imported Foods). Test results are listed on applicable Certificates of Analysis. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our customer service department at: 1.800.662.2544, ext. 3 |
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ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO TAKING FISH OIL? Generally, no, although we suggest that you consult with your physician before taking our fish oils if you are allergic to iodine, use blood thinning medications, or anticipate surgery. 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 to digest fats and oils. Taking fish oil with food, especially fat, can also be helpful to digestion.
DOES FISH OIL CONTAIN MERCURY? Raw fish oils contain environmental toxins like mercury that accumulate in fish during their life spans, but these toxins can be virtually eliminated with the use of high quality raw materials and advanced distillation technologies. Nordic Naturals fish oils are molecularly distilled, utilizing an enzymatic process that removes potential environmental toxins (such as heavy metals, dioxins, PCBs, etc.). Independent laboratory testing confirms the removal of PCBs, heavy metals, and dioxins from our oils. Certificates of Analysis are available upon request.
WILL FISH OIL OR EFAs INTERFERE WITH MY MEDICAL CONDITION OR MEDICATIONS I AM TAKING? Generally, no, but we suggest that you consult with your health care professional before taking fish oil if you are allergic to iodine, use blood thinners, take high doses of aspirin, or are anticipating surgery.
ARE THE VITAMIN A LEVELS IN NORDIC NATURALS COD LIVER OIL SAFE? There has been some concern recently that cod liver oil has high levels of vitamin A, but this does not apply to Nordic Naturals products. This concern stems from the fact that almost all cod liver oil products on the market are supplemented with added vitamin A (natural or synthetic) because many so-called cod liver oil products are not actually made from cod! Many brands use fish body oil (from species such as pollock or haddock) as a less expensive source of oil, and then add vitamin A and D to mimic cod liver oil. This practice is allowed because the international production of cod liver oil is regulated by only one rule—the final product must match the specific EPA ratio (EPA to DHA) found in cod liver oil. These practices are not applicable to the Nordic Naturals brand and never have been. We have always used 100% wild Arctic cod in our CLO formulas, which have consequently always had low, healthy levels of naturally occurring, fat-soluble vitamin A. We have never used fish body oils or any synthetic additives of any kind in our CLO. Nordic Naturals CLO typically averages 650–1500 I.U. of vitamin A per serving, which falls in the low range compared to other manufacturers’ products that can contain more than 4500 I.U. per serving. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for adults (as established by the US Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science) is 3,000 I.U. for men and 2,300 I.U. for women.
WHAT ALLERGENS ARE PRESENT IN NORDIC NATURALS FISH OILS? Nordic Naturals recognizes the severity of allergen potential. We follow strict GMP procedures to prevent cross contamination, use FDA-compliant allergen labeling, and disclose any warnings relating to allergen exposure.
While more than 160 foods can cause allergic reactions in people with food allergies, the Food Allergen and Labeling Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) identifies the eight most common allergenic foods. These foods account for 90 percent of food-related allergic reactions, and are food sources from which many other ingredients are derived.
Nordic Naturals Products are:
Nordic Naturals always recommends that consumers check with their health care professional to determine which products are appropriate for their nutritional needs. *Products That Contain Soy: Our Omega Boost™ products contain d-alpha tocopherol from highly refined, non-gmo soybean oil, which the FDA has determined not to be an allergy risk. Omega Curcumin, ProOmega® CRP, Omega Memory, and ProDHA™ Memory contain a small amount of non-gmo soy-derived lecithin that protects the curcuminoids and enhances bioavailability.
IF I AM ALLERGIC TO FISH, FISH PROTEIN, LEMON, STRAWBERRY OR OTHER FLAVORS, CAN I TAKE NORDIC NATURALS FISH OIL PRODUCTS?
Fish Protein Strawberry Lemon Alternatives
IF I AM TOPICALLY ALLERGIC TO LANOLIN, CAN I TAKE THE NORDIC NATURALS PRODUCTS CONTAINING VITAMIN D3? The raw material (lipid) used to produce vitamin D3 is separated from the lanolin, which has been separated from the wool fat. There are several purification steps from raw material to the pure vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), and, because of this, the supplier believes that a person who is allergic to lanolin topically is not likely to be allergic when ingesting vitamin D3. Also, we need to keep in mind that healthy digestive processes—gut pH, digestive enzyme action—are intended to digest, package, and transport nutrients, adding a degree of protection as well. But we always recommended that people with allergies confer with their health care practitioner before beginning a supplement regimen.
ARE NORDIC NATURALS PRODUCTS GLUTEN-FREE? All of our products are gluten-free. If any products are manufactured on shared equipment with other ingredients containing gluten, this is disclosed on the product label.
CAN FISH OIL BE TAKEN WITH OTHER SUPPLEMENTS? Yes, EFAs and fish oil can be taken with a wide variety of supplements—they are extremely well tolerated, natural, health promoting, and safe to use every day.
HOW MUCH IODINE IS IN ULTIMATE OMEGA/PROOMEGA? Nearly all of the iodine naturally present in fish is removed during our purification process. Test results show levels of iodine in Ultimate Omega/ProOmega to be typically 0.5–1.5 mcg/g, and not more than 2.0 mcg/g. For reference, the current Recommended Dietary Allowance* for iodine is 150 mcg/g for adult men and women, 220 mcg/d during pregnancy, and 90 mcg/d for children over 1 year of age.
WHY IS CARRAGEEN USED IN YOUR VEGETARIAN GELATIN? The carrageenan we use in our vegetarian gelatin is highly purified, non-degraded, and pharmaceutical food-grade quality. Carrageenan is derived from seaweed and is the substitute for the collagen found in animal gelatin. It is needed—in tandem with cornstarch—to form the firm and shelf-stable soft gel that ensures we are protecting the oil from exposure to oxygen and, therefore, from going rancid. Over the years, various alternatives have been researched and tested. The combination of carrageenan and cornstarch has been found to build the best consumer experience. While there have been various studies on carrageenan, many examine the degraded form (versus our non-degraded form), which does not meet our rigorous standards.
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