Many users of over-the-counter omega-3 fatty acid supplements may be taking outdated pills, according to a new study published Sept. 7 by researchers at George Washington University. Derived from plants (algae) as well as seafood (fish, krill, etc.), omega-3 supplements, sometimes labeled fish oil, are often consumed because of research that they may provide health benefits.
Bitterness is measured by the oxidation number of the oil in the supplement. As additives become more oxidized, the nutritional benefits to consumers are reduced.
"Our research shows that many of these supplements are not fresh and therefore may not provide health benefits," said Leigh A. Frame, professor of clinical research and leadership in the GW College of Medicine and Health Sciences. The text. Research. These findings also indicate that consumers are not getting what they pay for.
The article, "Multi-year retrospective analysis of 72 omega-3 supplements from marine oils and microalgae," was published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements .
High levels of omega-3 have been linked to many benefits for many organs, including the brain and eyes, but the most common reason for omega-3's popularity among consumers is its support for the cardiovascular system.
Researchers conducted a six-year trial of 72 of the most popular omega-3 supplement products using recommended intake limits set voluntarily by GOED, an international trade group representing omega-3 manufacturers.
The researchers found that a total of 45% of flavored and unflavored supplements tested positive for nausea, compared to 32% of flavored supplements and 13% of unflavored pills. However, added flavors can mask these additional ingredients. Although oxidation has been found in flavored supplements, indicating a good degree of sensitivity, Frame said the amount of oxidation caused by flavoring alone is unknown.
"Taste masks the freshness of mega-3 supplements in two ways," said study leader and GW College of Medicine and Health Sciences medical student Jacob Hans. If the fish oil supplement is fresh, it won't taste or smell fishy, he explains. "Taste can mask these aspects, but it makes it difficult for researchers to determine the amount of oxidation and the quality of the supplement."
Although third-party companies like ConsumerLab.com and the US Pharmacopeia verify the purity of their products on the label by testing vitamins and supplements, the freshness of the tested brands can't even be verified, Frahm explains.
The freshness of the supplement can be affected by several factors, including where it is stored and how long before it reaches consumers, he said. "It is important that consumers know what they are buying and how fresh the product is. Because the Food and Drug Administration currently regulates supplements as food and not as drugs, consumers cannot guarantee that they are getting the health benefits they paid for. for B."
Both Frame and Hands advise caution with flavored fish oil additives, as it is still uncertain how these flavors affect freshness and thus health benefits.
Further information: Jacob M. Hands et al, Multiyear randomized analysis of 72 omega-3 supplements from marine oils and microalgae, Journal of Dietary Supplements (2023). doi: 10.1080/19390211.2023.2252064
Excerpt: Experiments have revealed many popular omega 3 supplements.
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