Essential Fatty Acids and Omega-3s

What are fatty acids?
The complicated explanation is that fatty acids are organic acids with a long chain of carbons, hydrogen, and some oxygen in their chemical structures. The simple explanation is that fatty acids make up fats; in fact, every single fat features a combination of different fatty acids. While we tend to think of fats as bad, fatty acids are important to human health because the body uses them to build and maintain cells.

What are essential fatty acids (EFAs)?
Your body can produce almost all of the fatty acids it needs to survive. Those that it can’t manufacture on its own, but which are still essential to good health, are called essential fatty acids or EFAs. These include the Omega-3 fatty acids ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), as well as the Omega-6 fatty acid LA (Linoleic Acid). The typical Western diet contains too many Omega-6 (found in vegetable oils) and too few Omega-3 EPA and DHA (found in fish and fish oil).

What is Omega-3?
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated essential fatty acid. They play a crucial role in cardiovascular health, brain function, and normal growth and development in all stages of life. Because Omega-3 are needed for so many vital functions, yet can’t be produced by the body, it’s important to consume adequate amounts of them through the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish and certain plant oils. However, while fish oils contain the body-ready forms of Omega-3 — EPA and DHA — plant oils such as flax provide ALA, which the body must convert into EPA and DHA before using. Unfortunately, the conversion rate is low: less than 1%. This makes fish oil a better choice than flax oil.

Can I consume too much Omega-3?
Too much of anything is not good for you; however, you would have to consume excessive amounts of Omega-3 before they would be detrimental to you. To promote optimal health, consume the amount of Omega-3 recommended by your doctor, nutritionist, or other qualified health professional, or follow the guidelines suggested by numerous national and international health organizations.

How much Omega-3 should I consume daily?
Many major health organizations across the world have issued recommendations as to the amount of Omega-3 EPA/DHA that should be consumed daily. While they all agree that EPA and DHA are important to overall health, the exact amount recommended varies by organization. The International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids & Lipids (ISSFAL), for example, suggests 500 mg of EPA/DHA for adults per day, which is similar to the recommendations of the National Institutes of Health of the United States (650 mg EPA/DHA per day), and The National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia (610 mg for men and 430 mg for women).  Consult with your doctor, nutritionist, or other health care professional to find the right amount for your needs.

Is fish a better source of Omega-3 than fish oil supplements?
Actually, the opposite can be true. While fish can and should play a role in a healthy diet, some fish may be contaminated with heavy metals such as mercury, as well as other toxins, including PCBs and dioxins. Properly manufactured fish oil goes through an extensive purification process to reduce impurities that may be present.

Another reason that supplements are a better source of Omega-3 than fish is that through the manufacturing process, the amount of EPA and DHA contained in the oil can be concentrated. Therefore, for people looking to take large amounts of EPA/DHA, concentrated fish oil supplements provide an easy and convenient alternative to eating large quantities of fish.

Do I need to take EPA if I’m taking DHA?
Yes! Both DHA and EPA are important biologically and work synergistically to improve human health. EPA and DHA have complementary roles in the human body: DHA plays a structural role as a component of cell membranes, while EPA plays a physiological role by helping reduce inflammation. Many studies have indicated that EPA not only provides health benefits of its own, it also increases the efficacy of DHA. In other words, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Do I need EPA and DHA if I’m already taking flax?
Yes! Flax and chia as well as some nuts and vegetable oils, can only provide you with the Omega-3 ALA (Alpha-Linolenic acid) — they do not contain the Omega-3 EPA and DHA. Because EPA and DHA (found in fish oil) are the body’s preferred form of Omega-3 fatty acids, they are good for your health.

But can’t my body make EPA and DHA from ALA?
It is theoretically possible for your body to make EPA and DHA from the ALA that you consume; however, the conversion process is inefficient, which means that even if you ingest large amounts of ALA, you will only produce small quantities of EPA and DHA. With a conversion rate of less than 1%, it’s highly unlikely that you would be able to consume enough ALA to get the EPA and DHA that your body needs for optimal health and wellness.

Is it safe to take Omega-3s while I’m pregnant?
Not only is it safe, it’s recommended! DHA is essential to the development of your baby’s brain and eyes. Because the formation of these organs is complete by the age of three or four, it’s critical that your growing child get plenty of DHA during fetal development and throughout the early years of life. Additionally, research suggests that women who take Omega-3 EPA/DHA while pregnant may reduce the risk that their child will have cerebral palsy, while promoting increased birth size and weight, increased IQ and ability to solve problems, visual acuity, good coordination and motor skills, and good behavior. Consuming foods rich in EPA/DHA during pregnancy may also help prevent early labor, and reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and post-partum depression.

Is Omega-3 only important for adults?
No! Omega-3 fatty acids are important to health throughout every stage of life. It’s especially important that pregnant women consume adequate amounts of Omega-3s, because they are essential to fetal brain and eye development. Since both these organs continue to develop throughout toddlerhood, it’s critical that a growing child keep receiving enough EPA and DHA after weaning. Additionally, EPA and DHA have other benefits for kids. Specifically, research has shown they may: improve behavior and symptoms of learning disorders, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD); promote maturation of the immune system; reduce inflammatory conditions such as asthma, childhood depression, and type 1 diabetes; and support a healthy weight and metabolism.

Are Omega-3s safe for children?
Yes! In reviewing 21 studies on Omega-3’s effects on pre-term and term infants, researchers at the University of Adelaide, Australia, concluded that, “…there appear to be few safety concerns relating to the use of LC-PUFA [long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, or Omega-3] in infant nutrition.” In fact, numerous studies have shown that Omega-3s are not only safe for children, they’re required!

Healthy Fats

What is “good” fat?
“Good” fats are fats that are required by your body for maintaining good health and reducing disease risk. Some good fats are: polyunsaturated fats including Omega-3 and Omega-6; and monounsaturated fats, including Omega-9s.

What is “bad” fat?
“Bad” fats are fats that generally are harmful to your body. Some bad fats are: saturated fats and trans fats (found in vegetable shortening and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils). In high levels, both saturated and trans fats have been found to increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

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Features of MEG-3®

How much MEG-3® do I need per day?
Health organizations around the world all agree on the importance of Omega-3 EPA/DHA to human health, however their recommended intakes vary. A good, middle-of-the-road level advocated by The International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids & Lipids (ISSFAL) is 500 mg of EPA/DHA for adults per day. However, higher amounts may be advised in certain populations. The American Heart Association recommends 1 g EPA/DHA daily for coronary heart disease or cardiovascular disease patients and 2-4 g EPA/DHA daily for patients who need to lower triglycerides. The Institute of Medicine recommends a minimum DHA intake of 300 mg while pregnant or breastfeeding to support brain and vision development in fetuses and young children. And many studies on mood disorders have used a high-dose EPA supplement, providing 2-6 g EPA per day.

Is MEG-3® pharmaceutical-grade?
There is no legal definition of “pharmaceutical-grade.” However, MEG-3® fish oils do conform to worldwide quality and purity standards — including those established by the European Commission, Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, and the US Food and Drug Administration — and are verified by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), an official standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other health care products manufactured or sold in the United States.

Is MEG-3® FDA-approved?
Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplement ingredients are not approved by the FDA. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, any supplement ingredients that were in commerce prior to 1994, such as fish oils, are considered GRAS, which stands for “generally recognized as safe.”
Food ingredients are different. In order to be added to a food, ingredients must apply for GRAS status. In the US, ONC has achieved self-affirmed GRAS for two fish oils (40/20 EE and 30/20 EE fish oil).  All data demonstrating safety for these products and their constituents are published in peer-reviewed scientific literature. In addition, MEG-3® Omega-3 powder has FDA-notified GRAS status. This approval involved obtaining the conclusions of an expert panel on fish oil source, method of manufacture, specifications, contaminant levels, dietary exposure, and toxicological and human studies. The FDA reviewed and accepted these conclusions under the stringent GRAS notification system for food products.

Where does MEG-3® fish oil come from?
MEG-3® is sourced from EPA/DHA-rich anchovies and sardines harvested by a sustainable fishery in Peru. The Peruvian upwelling region, where the cold Antarctic waters meet the steep continental shelf off the west coast of South America, is one of the richest marine environments in the world. The fishery is highly regulated and protected by the Peruvian government to ensure that it remains biodiverse and entirely sustainable. In fact, it has maintained a consistent anchovy and sardine population for the past 50 years, and with careful stewardship, it will continue well into the future.

Can I take MEG-3® supplements if I am allergic to fish?
Allergies to fish are usually caused by certain proteins (specifically parvalbumins) found in the edible muscle/flesh portion of fish. Refined fish oil usually has a very low protein content due to the processing and purification steps required to extract the pure oil. 

In the US, the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act requires the labeling of recognized food allergens (including fish) on food packaging. However, refined fish oils are exempted from this US food labeling requirement, since the risk that they will cause an allergic reaction is perceived to be extremely low.

A small number of ONC microencapsulated fish oil products (including all Kosher and Halal microencapsulated products) also contain fish gelatin. Fish gelatin primarily contains fish collagen derived from fish skins (not muscle/flesh). Available published data and anecdotal experience suggest that the allergenic potential of fish gelatin is extremely low.

Which foods are fortified with MEG-3®?
A growing number of foods fortified with MEG-3® are being brought to market in Canada, China, and the United States. These include juices, yogurt, cookies, chocolate bars, peanut butter, bread, pizza, nutrition bars, milk, soup, and more. For a complete list of specific products, please visit: http://www.meg-3.com/M3P-HFI.php.

MEG-3® vs. Other Sources of Omega-3s

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Nutrients in MEG-3®

What are the main nutrients in MEG-3®?
The main nutrients in MEG-3® are the essential Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

What are EPA and DHA?
EPA stands for Eicosapentaenoic Acid and DHA stands for Docosahexaenoic Acid. EPA and DHA are Omega-3 fatty acids that have been scientifically established to be necessary for good health.

Is MEG-3® a pure and safe product?
Yes, MEG-3® is a pure, naturally sourced, and safe product. Any impurities that may be present within the fish oil used to make MEG-3®, such as PCBs and mercury, are reduced by our processing. The end result is a pure source of Omega-3.

Is the oil in MEG-3® derived from a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
No, MEG-3® oil is derived from wild-harvested fish.

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Benefits of MEG-3®

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