| Canada might have the most strict health | | | | means that EE oils are only 1/3 as absorbable as |
| supplement regulations in the world, and so | | | | TG! But that is not where the problems end. |
| naturally their fish oil regulations are very strict. In | | | | Triglyceride (TG) omega-3 is absorbed by the |
| fact, Canada has outlawed the sale of most fish | | | | body up to 50 times faster than ethyl ester (EE) |
| oil products that are created in the US! Canada is | | | | omega-3, which as you can tell is significantly |
| in good company with Sweden and Denmark, | | | | inferior! EE fish oil is prohibited in Canada due to |
| who have also banned these omega-3s. Why? | | | | the problems that I've discussed. However, it is |
| The answer has to do with how bioavailable the | | | | completely legal to sell EE in the US. |
| omega 3 fatty acids are, or how easily your body | | | | What a predicament. If we don't want to |
| absorbs them and makes use of them. The | | | | consume the poisonous toxins that are present in |
| reasoning is somewhat scientific, but I will simplify | | | | fish oil, then we must settle for a fish oil that |
| it to make it easier to understand. | | | | barely gets absorbed and that's difficult for your |
| The reason fish oil pills are so beneficial for our | | | | body to make use of, Right? Try again! Canadian |
| bodies is because they contain omega-3 fats. | | | | fish oils that are purified are actually converted |
| Omega-3s are basically fats, albeit good fats that | | | | back to TG from their original EE form. You're |
| are essential for health. Naturally, the omega-3s | | | | probably wondering: If TG-based omega-3 is |
| found in fish exist in the form of a triglyceride. | | | | better in many ways than EE-based omega-3, |
| Each and every molecule consists of glycerol, an | | | | why do US producers of fish oil only usually |
| alcohol base, with three omega-3 fatty acids | | | | produce EE oils? Higher costs, of course! The |
| attached. These are definitely not the same kind | | | | manufacturers of fish oil must pay an additional |
| of triglycerides that you are concerned about in | | | | 30% to convert their EE oils back into TG, but |
| your blood, so don't worry. | | | | since consumers of fish oil aren't privvy to the |
| It's necessary to purify most fish oil because, | | | | difference, these producers don't bother. |
| unfortunately, the majority of fish contain | | | | Furthermore, a small percentage of them actually |
| excessive levels of toxins. Most fish oil | | | | disclose that their fish oils are EE oils, so it's |
| manufacturers employ a purifying process called | | | | frustratingly hard to figure out what they contain. |
| molecular distillation to make their fish oils highly | | | | However, since the large majority of fish oil |
| pure. But, omega-3s that naturally appear as | | | | supplements in the US are EE products, you can |
| triglycerides then are converted into a new | | | | assume that a product is an EE unless it's labeled |
| formula called an ethyl ester (or EE). The glycerol | | | | otherwise. There exists only 2 brands in the US |
| alcohol base in the triglyceride (or TG) is | | | | that are TG-based that are also tested by the |
| exchanged for a molecule of ethanol. | | | | third-party International Fish Oil Standards: See |
| What is the concern? It doesn't matter what | | | | Yourself Well and Nordic Naturals. |
| alcohol base is used, right? Actually, no, there is a | | | | The research is pretty convincing that omega-3 |
| huge difference that has prompted many | | | | products in triglyceride form are far superior to |
| countries to make it illegal! It ends up being the | | | | those that aren't (which is the majority of |
| case that EE fish oil is much more difficult for the | | | | omega-3 products currently on the market). If |
| body to absorb than natural TG fish oil. In fact, | | | | you're taking fish oil and want to ensure that |
| research has shown that TG fish oil has a 300% | | | | you're getting the best product for your health, |
| higher rate of absorption by the body, which | | | | make sure yours is TG-based. |