ONTARIO, Canada—A new study conducted by Nutrasource Diagnostic Inc. found concentrated triglyceride fish oil, such as Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega and ProOmega, increases omega-3 fatty acid levels in whole blood better than ethyl ester fish oil, phospholipid krill oil and triglyceride salmon oil. (Lipids in Health and Disease. 2014 June;13(9). doi: 10.1186/1476-511x-13-99)
In the study, researchers gave 35 healthy subjects one of four randomized daily dosages of omega-3 supplements for 28 days, followed by a four-week washout period. Blood samples were taken at the beginning and the end of the supplement period. After the first cycle, the participants repeated the process for the remaining three supplements.
The supplements and daily doses as recommended by the product labels were:
· Concentrated triglyceride (rTG) fish oil: eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) of 650 mg, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of 450 mg
· Ethyl ester (EE) fish oil: EPA of 756 mg, DHA of 228 mg
· Phospholipid (PL) krill oil: EPA of 150 mg; DHA of 90 mg
· Triglyceride (TG) salmon oil: EPA of 180 mg, DHA of 220 mg
Whole blood EPA percentage increased in subjects taking rTG fish oil and was four times that of krill and salmon oil. It also reduced the risks of several cardiovascular disease elements compared to the others.
The researchers concluded that the form and dose of omega-3 supplements may be more important in consumers who want to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases.