Natro Omega 3 Fortified SoftGel 60

Natroceutics delivers an Omega 3 for those who do not wish to compromise on quality and expect the best in purity and efficacy from their Omega 3 supplementation.

It is produced from sustainable, wild caught Alaskan pollock. Each batch is tested for absolute purity and is free from heavy metals and contaminants with a market leading TOTOX score of no more than 5 at encapsulation.

What are TOTOX scores? Why are they important to take notice of?

All fish oils are not made equal and the freshness of your oil is important for your health.

It is valuable to note that when it comes to Omega 3 supplements, oxidation levels and rancidity are measurable. Consumption of highly oxidised fish oil can be harmful.

Anisidine and Peroxide values (pAV and PV) are commonly used to calculate how oxidised an Omega 3 supplement is. The TOTOX (Total Oxidation) score – calculated using pAV and PV – provides an overall idea of how fresh an oil is. These values are relatively easy to understand, provided testing is actually done. As a general principle, the lower the oxidation numbers, the fresher the oil.

EPA and DHA are the polyunsaturated fatty-acids found in Omega 3 Oils and are considered important compounds in these oils. As oxidation increases, levels of EPA and DHA decrease, meaning a reduced potency in supplements with high scores.

The Global Organisation for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED), whose goal is to improve global consumption of adequate levels of Omega 3s, suggest that a TOTOX limit of 26 is acceptable.

A low TOTOX value of between 0 – 5 is what scientists would consider fresh. A value of 5 is considered the maximum recommended value, with anything higher having the potential for rancidity.

In a 2015 study by Benjamin AB. et al., it was found that 83% of Omega 3 supplements available on the New Zealand market exceeded recommended peroxide values.

In a 2013 follow up study in South Africa carried out by M. Opperman and S. Benade, 44% of commercially available Omega 3 supplements in South Africa were found to be in early stages of rancidity, and more than 80% had oxidation levels higher than those recommended by GOED.

Similarly, a Canadian study by Jackowski SA et al., found that 50% of North American Omega 3 supplements commercially available in Canada exceeded recommended oxidation levels. This study also found that of these products, children’s Omega 3 supplements had the highest TOTOX scores of all.

Consuming highly oxidised/rancid oil may contribute to health issues such as increased ‘bad’ cholesterols, inflammation and organ damage.

A simple way for consumers to check if their fish oil is safe to consume is by taste and smell, as one would do with fish. When fish oils are highly oxidised, they from by-products that may have a strong taste or odour. The highest quality fish oils should have no fishy taste or smell and shouldn’t be

covered up by heavy flavouring.

Adding antioxidants during manufacture is also a common way to preserve the quality of a fish oil over time and prevent oxidation.

Natroceutics Omega 3 Fortified uses a quality source of Omega 3 oil with TOTOX values typically within the range of 0 – 3, with 5 being the maximum standard. We also fortify our Omega 3 with Lutein and Zeaxanthin antioxidants which maintains the integrity of the formulation as well as

provides beneficial antioxidants to the body.

Our Omega 3 fatty acids are in a superior triglyceride form as nature intended them to be. Delivering an impressive 400 mg of EPA and 300 mg of DHA in each 1000 mg capsule.

What form of Omega 3 Oil is best to consume?

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are important omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil and are available to consumers in two forms: triglyceride (TG) or ethyl ester (EE) form.

These oils, fresh from the source, the way nature intended are in the TG form. The main difference between these forms comes during the distillation process in fish oil production whereby contaminants are removed and omega 3 molecules, EPA and DHA are concentrated. This process requires the conversion of TGs to EEs for concentration to occur.

However, once this distillation process is complete, there is the option to leave the fatty acids attached to an ethyl alcohol (EE) or reattach to glycerol backbone (TG) as an additional step in the process.

EE forms of omega 3 supplements are prevalent in the marketplace because of cost. Bulk EE concentrates typically cost 30-40% less than TG concentrates. They are cheaper to produce than TG forms and are also considered easier to commercially distribute.

The problem arises in the efficacy between EE and TG forms. Studies have shown that EE forms are the least bioavailable form of these fatty acids when compared to TG/ whole fish and have a higher likelihood of oxidation.

Evidence has shown that TG fish oils result in up to 50% higher plasma EPA and DHA when compared with EE forms.

TG forms also have 30 – 50% improved absorption efficiency than EE forms. TG forms are more stable when consumed compared with EE forms that oxidise readily.

During the metabolism process, TG forms are able to break from the glycerol backbone and reattach once absorbed. This is important as fats are stored and transported in the body in TG form.

EE forms are processed in the liver where the EE form is split into fatty acid and ethyl alcohol. The fatty acid must then be re-synthesised into a TG form for distribution in the body. In order to do this, the fatty acid must take a triglyceride backbone from an existing molecule. This donor molecule will then have to find another backbone and this can cause a ripple effect. This is far less efficient than the natural TG form. Subsequently, the release of ethyl alcohol may produce oxidative stress in the body in addition to the release of ethanol.

EE forms have been a part of the human diet for approximately 20 years, whereas TG forms have been provided by nature for an estimated 500 million years.

Our Fortified version of our Omega 3 has the addition of Lutemax 2020™ which is a researched and globally recognized Lutein + Zeaxanthin combination supported by scientific evidence. Over and above this, each capsule also contains Vitamin K2 as K2Vital®. This produces the ultimate combination to enhance the cardiovascular, cognitive and eye health benefits of our Omega 3.

Product Benefits:

• Quality assured through GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and batch testing.
• Clean and free from agrochemicals, artificial additives and heavy metals.
• Scientifically formulated and developed.
• Vegan friendly – 100% Plant Based.
• Fully recyclable and supporting environmental regeneration.