| Overview
Fish and fish oil receive increasing amounts of media attention as scientific evidence continues to provide information on their potential health benefits -- the most notable being their ability to support normal heart function. In fact, the heart health benefits of fish oil are so compelling, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that, "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease."
Fish oil contains essential fatty acids known as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The two main omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been shown to influence important biological functions.
EPA supports the synthesis of important compounds in the body. EPA is the precursor of thromboxane and leukotriene, compounds involved in supporting healthy circulation. They also promote healthy blood vessels.
DHA is the predominant structural fatty acid in the central nervous system and in the retina of the eyes. Thus, the availability of DHA is crucial for fetal and brain development and is also important for the maintenance of brain functions in adult life. DHA also helps to maintain brain fluidity and may help in the maintenance of cognitive functions. Some studies suggest that adequate DHA supports vision.
In addition to its profound heart health benefits, fish oil also plays a fundamental role in the development and maintenance of brain and nervous functions such as preservation of memory and mental clarity.
OmegaLife-3 is:
• Molecularly distilled to ensure exceptionally pure oil.
• Includes vitamin E to protect oil from oxidative rancidity.
• Includes orange oil to prevent fishy after-taste.
• Formulated to deliver higher levels of EPA and DHA than other fish oil products.
• Daily serving of OmegaLife-3 provides 800 milligrams of EPA and 400 milligrams of DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
FAQs
Q. Who may benefit from supplementing with fish oils?
A. Anybody that needs support for a healthy heart and circulation. Pregnant and nursing mothers should speak with a doctor to see if this product is right for you before use.
Q. How much fish oil can I take?
A. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends 650 mg of EPA and DHA per day. Individuals with a known risk of heart disease should take approximately 1000 mg per day. The American Heart Association recommends fish oil capsules for patients with severely high triglycerides. Daily serving of OmegaLife-3 contains 2000 mg of fish oil with 400 mg DHA and 800 mg EPA.
Note: It is also important to note that an increased adiposity (excess body fat) may reduce the blood level of these fatty acids. Thus, such individuals may need more fish oil, even without risk of heart diseases. Read and follow all instructions on the product label.
Q. How can I trust the quality of fish oils?
A. The most concern people have is the risk of fish oil contamination with pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and heavy metals such as mercury. These pollutants are genuinely hazardous to health; hence the government has set limits of their levels in foods and supplements, to ensure safety of the public. At Unicity, safety is our flagship and we will not consider buying fish oils that do not meet the specifications set by the government. Every fish oil batch used in our product is tested and must meet our stringent specifications.
Q. Is Unicity's fish oil different from the competitors'?
A. Yes, Unicity's fish oil is better than the competitors' because:
• Our fish oil is molecularly distilled to ensure the highest oil purity.
• While most competitors use 18/12 fish oil, Unicity uses the higher quality 40/20 oil to yield more of the essential fatty acids in fewer capsules (higher concentration). The higher the concentration of EPA and DHA, the more beneficial and costlier the product becomes, but you get more value for your money because of the higher percentage of the essential fatty acids in the oil.
• Our fish oil can be guaranteed fresh because we went the extra mile of adding vitamin E to preserve freshness and help protect the oils against oxidative rancidity.
• Some people do not like the "fishy burp," which is one reason why some people do not take fish oil. Unicity's fish oil includes orange oil to prevent fishy after-taste.
• Our fish oils are routinely tested to ensure that they are safe from pollutants.
Q. I get my omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil...do I need to take fish oil?
A. Flaxseed provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is an omega-3 fatty acid that can be converted to EPA and DHA through a series of metabolic processes. However, humans have a limited capability to efficiently process this conversion. EPA and DHA from fish oil are directly incorporated into neuronal membranes to enhance their integrity and support neuronal functions.
Q. Is there any risk associated with taking fish oils?
A. Fish oil may result in blood thinning, therefore may increase the risk of bleeding, easy bruising and nosebleeds in people who are on blood thinning medications. Fish oil should also be stopped before surgery. Speak to your doctor before use if you have a medical condition.
Q. What's the best way to get fish oil in my diet?
A. Studies have shown that many fish can contain high levels of mercury and other toxins from our polluted oceans. The health risks of these toxins can outweigh the potential benefits of omega-3 fish oil. Currently, it appears that the safest way to get omega-3s in your diet is from high quality, pharmaceutical-grade fish oil supplements. The highest quality brands available today refine fish oil through a complex molecular distillation process to filter out any impurities.
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