Omega-3 is one of the most highly valued and often recommended nutrients available today, with plenty of research supporting its health benefits. In fact, omega-3, an absolutely essential element for our health and well-being, is now receiving the attention it deserves from researchers and health experts.
Omega-3 is the common term attributed primarily to three specific essential fatty acids(EFAs): eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA), docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) and alpha-linoleic acid(ALA). EPA and DHA are found in animal sources such as fish and krill while ALA is found in plant sources such as flax, pumpkin, and black currant.
Studies have shown that omega-3 essential fatty acids play an important role in cardiac and cardiovascular health as well as cognitive function. The essential fatty acids EPA and DHA are absolutely essential for a child's overall development, particularly for the eyes and brain.
It is important to note that the modern diet is generally deficient in omega-3s because of our low fish consumption. Without at least one serving of fish per week you most likely won't get enough. But you are in the right place!
Now that everyone seems to know how important omega-3 EFAs are, there are many products to choose from. Many claim to be the best or purest. Dive a little deeper and you will discover some key points that can help you identify the best fish oil and krill oil products.
Do you know anyone who likes to throw down fish oil shots or guzzle cod liver oil? Most people are simply not that enamored with fish oil. Many omega-3 fish oil supplements will be in the form of enteric-coated softgels. Enteric coating is a process that can help mask or virtually eliminate thesmell and taste of fish, as well as reduce or eliminate the chances of fish oil "surfacing" after ingestion.
Unfortunately, most wild caught fish today have high levels of toxins and heavy metals that can adversely affect our health, especially when consumed over long periods of time. A specialized production process called molecular distillation (or vacuum distillation) reduces the amount of these impurities to safe levels.
As mentioned earlier, in addition to fish oil, omega-3s are also found in a tiny marine crustacean called krill. Study results show that omega-3 krill oil can be better absorbed by our bodies than omega-3 fish oil because the essential fatty acids in krill oil are bound by phospholipids while the EFAs in fish oil are not. Phospholipid-bound EFAs are more easily absorbed, which may increase their bioavailability. NOW Foods uses Neptune Krill Oil (NKO®) (500 mg softgel, 1000 mg softgel), the leading krill oil on the market.
At NOW Foods they take the quality and purity of our nutritional oils very seriously. Their in-house state-of-the-art laboratories are well equipped to perform nutritional analysis of the oil, and each batch received is tested for identity, purity, potency, and composition.
NOW's fish oils (liquid, 650-mg cod liver oil soft capsules, 1,000-mg cod liver oil soft capsules, molecularly distilled soft capsules) are molecularly distilled, and many of the formulations also have enteric coating. Most vegetable oils are extracted using a mechanical pressing method that uses no harsh chemicals or solvents, preserving vital nutritional components.
No matter how you choose to supplement with omega-3s, NOW has a formula for you made with an unwavering commitment to superior quality.
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