Omega-3 Products
What are the main benefits of taking Omega-3 fish oil?
- Omega-3’s tend to lower bad cholesterol levels and raise the good cholesterol.
- They help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- They help to control high blood pressure.
- Omega-3 fatty acids seem to limit the inflammatory reaction associated with lupus.
- They also help to control constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticular disorders.
- Omega-3 may even help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, like breast, colon, and prostate cancer.
- Omega-3’s are proven to be beneficial for brain development, especially in fetuses, newborns and growing children.
- They lower the risk of depression and show positive effects in the treatment of patients suffering from depression.
- Omega-3 appears to lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Omega-3 is used as a treatment for patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- Studies also found that EPA might prevent the development of asthma.
- Research points out that omega-3’s might reverse atherosclerosis.
- Omega-3 has been proven to be beneficial for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Do Viking Icelandic products contain toxins, heavy metals, or other pollution in them?
No, products from Icelandic Fourmula are purified through a process called “molecular-distillation”. This is a state-of-the-art process by which all harmful materials – heavy metals, mercury, PCB’s, and other toxins – are separated and removed completely from the fish oils we use. After our detoxification process, there are no detectable levels of toxins or heavy metals in any of our products. Our lab in Iceland uses a proprietary natural process to achieve these results and which is subject to regulations of the European Good Manufacturing Practice and Pharmaceutical Production Commission and ISO 9002 (an international standards code.). Our products are independently tested by 3rd party laboratories as directed by our pharmaceutical oversight agency that they are free from all toxins. Since Icelandic Fourmula products are the only fish oils made under pharmaceutical authority (the same standards as for prescription medication), you can be sure our products are the cleanest and purist you can find.
Should I be concerned about taking an overdose of Omega-3?
The possibility of taking an overdose of Omega-3 is very remote, especially when taking a refined product such as ours. That’s because it does not contain non-soluble vitamins A and D, which can build up in your system, and because it is free of toxins. People have been known to take 3,000 to 10,000 mg per day without a problem. We do, however, suggest that you follow the recommended dosage of one to three 1000 mg softgels per day unless directed by your health care professional. Studies have shown you can take up to 16 grams per day without any problems. We should warn about taking if using blood thinners or before surgery.
Is Viking Icelandic product "pharmaceutical-grade" and what does that mean?
All of our products are “pharmaceutical-grade.” The term “pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 oil” is a set of specifications regarding the amounts of the various fatty acids contained in the oil after processing. These specifications are defined in a pharmacopia, which is a compendium of specifications (also called monographs) for all types of organic and inorganic substances that people use for health or medicinal purposes. Omega-3 specifications are defined in the European Pharmacopia and our Omega-3 products conform to or exceed those standards thereby making them “pharmaceutical-grade” by definition.
The key to verifying this is the amount of EPA and DHA (the 2 most important fatty acids) in a gram of Omega-3 oil. It can vary a lot from one brand to another. Our products contain more than sufficient levels. Also important to understand is that some brands produce their oils with additives to manipulate the levels of EPA and DHA artificially. Our lab in Iceland produces a completely natural product.
Is it safe for pregnant women to take Omega-3?
More and more research suggests that, for pregnant women, Omega-3 fats might be the most important supplement they can take to improve the brain development of the fetus. Of course, we recommend you first discuss taking any supplements with your physician if you’re pregnant.
Can people get the same benefits by eating fish, rather than taking supplements?
Eating fish would seem to be the most realistic way to getting fish oil in your diet. Unfortunately, much of the fish today has contamination with organic mercury, PCBs and DDT. This is why we get mixed messages that we should consume more fish, but at the same time we shouldn’t because of their contamination. The solution to this dilemma is the use of purified fish oil in which the toxins, such as mercury, PCBs and DDT, have been removed. Furthermore, the types of fish which are rich in fish oil are the types of fish most Americans do not like to eat – like mackerel, herring and sardines. To get the minimum recommended levels of Omega-3 fats you would need to eat at least a half a pound of salmon every day or 5 pounds of flounder. This is simply unrealistic for most Americans. And this is why fish oil supplementation becomes the best way to get adequate levels of these critical fats on a daily basis.
What are the benefits of EPA?
EPA, or Eicosapentaenoic acid, is one of the long chain omega-3 polyunsaturates found mainly in the oil from fish. Having EPA and its related polyunsaturate DHA, or Docosahexaenoic acid, (e.g. 650mg/day) is reckoned by those scientists studying this subject to be a sensible dietary goal. This amount will provide protection from heart disease, and perhaps cancer, depression and other common ills.
Can you tell me does fish oil has any effect on the birth control pill? I have read that some "herbs" can minimize the effect by 20%. I realize that fish oil may not be an herb but it is an alternative therapy.
First, Omega-3 is not an “herb” but rather an essential fatty acid required by the body for normal functioning. Secondly, there is no known interaction of fish oil with the birth control pill.
Flaxseed oil has higher milligram quantities of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 than fish oil. So why are fish oil capsules better than flaxseed oil?
Flaxseed oil contains short-chain Omega-3 fatty acids and the human body can convert these short-chain Omega-3 fatty acids with great difficulty into much lower levels of longer-chain Omega-3 fatty acids. The conversion rate is between one and five percent. It is only the long-chain Omega-3 fats that have the health benefits. This is not to say that flaxseed oil is bad. It is just not very good compared to fish oil because of the very inefficient conversion of the fats found in flaxseed oil to the long-chain Omega-3 fats found in fish oil.
How can you claim Viking Icelandic products contain the most EPAs and DHAs?
We claim that our oils contain the most EPA and DHA in a “natural” product. This is a very important distinction since many company use additives to increase the levels. We don’t believe in doing that. Also, there is a range of EPA and DHA in all fish oils which changes seasonally and by the combination of fish used in each batch. The average for a natural, distilled product is 30% EPA and 20% DHA, with the range being plus or minus 10%. In our 1000mg softgels, the range of EPA, for example, is 275mg to 325mg. Most other companies disclose the average on their label. We disclose the lower end of the range to assure that it is always at least that amount.
How is the omega-3 oil produced?
To produce an omega-3 product that has the highest natural concentration of EPA and DHA, the two important nutrients, the fattiest deep water fish are necessary: herring, mackerel, sardines and anchovies. The oil is then processed to remove any taste and toxins. It is then concentrated through natural molecular distillation to bring it to a pharmaceutical-grade level. This is all done under authority of the Iceland Pharmaceutical Oversight Board. It is the cleanest, purest, and most potent natural omega-3 product available.
How does Viking Icelandic Omega-3 compare to other brands?
Before buying omega-3 it is important to ask: (1) is it pharmaceutical-grade containing at least 60% omega-3? (2) is it produced under the same laboratory conditions as prescription medication? (3) are the fish used in production from clean waters? (4) has it been completely purified of all toxins? And (5) is it a completely natural product, free of any additives?
Products from Icelandic Fourmula contain the highest naturally-produced concentration of omega-3 and it’s critical components, EPA and DHA. We’re the only manufacturer to produce omega-3 in prescription-quality laboratories under government supervision. The fish we use are from the deep, cold, unpolluted waters of Iceland. Our oils are molecularly-distilled by a patented process to remove all detectable levels of toxins and are free of any artificial additives.
In addition, oil from Iceland is produced under the world’s strictest guidelines in a lab that has been producing quality fish oils for almost a hundred years. We are leaders in omega-3 research and production. No other fish oil producer can say this.
Beware of brands that seem to come from Iceland but actually don’t. Ask the manufacturer where they come from.
Can I take omega-3 fish oil if I'm allergic to fish?
Most fish allergies would probably not be activated by taking Icelandic Fourmula Omega-3 since almost everything is removed except for the omega-3 oil, which is an essential fatty acid that everyone requires. There are however trace quantities of other fish nutrients remaining in the oil and, since we don’t have information on what you are specifically allergic to, they might trigger a reaction. Therefore, it is best to check with your health care provider before taking any new medicines or supplements.