Health Supplements Program FAQ's

1. Who should use Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil? VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil is indicated for adults who are not obtaining the recommended amount of 1,500 – 1,800 mg of Omega-3 fish oil per day from the foods they consume. Because Super EPA/DHA Fish oil inhibits the development of the inflammatory prostaglandins, this supplement is also ideal for individuals who have inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, eczema and psoriasis.

2. Who should not use Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil? Fish oil supplements have an excellent safety track record. However, certain individuals should seek the advice of their doctor before beginning a nutritional supplement program particularly diabetics, pregnant or lactating women. If you are having surgery, Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil should be discontinued 2 weeks prior and for 2 weeks following your surgical procedure. Caution: In some individuals with oily skin, supplementing with fish oil can exacerbate the condition.

3. What is the primary benefit of using Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil? Supplementing the diet with Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil provides a high-quality source of Omega-3 fatty acids from fish which the American Heart Association recommends in order to maintain cardiovascular health and to reduce “silent” inflammation.

4. What makes VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil product unique? A superior quality product at an excellent value. While a wide variety of fish oil supplements are available today, VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil provides one of the highest levels of fish oil per capsule (600 mg). This means that fewer capsules need to be taken on a daily basis in order to obtain the amount recommended by the American Heart Association (1.5-1.8 grams). VitaMedica’s fish oil is sourced by a company called Ocean Nutrition. Ocean Nutrition is a vertically integrated fish processing company located in Nova Scotia that developed the FDA standard or monograph for fish oil in the United States. To date, Ocean Nutrition is the only company that offers a USP certified fish oil which guarantees what is on the label is in the finished product. Unlike most retail brands, the ratio of VitaMedica’s EPA to DHA is 2:1 (200/400); a proportion that research has confirmed provides all the positive benefits of fish oil.

5. What is it important to take a fish oil supplement? Because they confer a number of well-substantiated health benefits. During the past decade, quite a bit of research has been conducted in the area of health especially as it relates to fat consumption. The net result is that while the amount of fat consumed in the diet is important, the quality of fats consumed is even more important. In short, most people get too much of the unhealthy fats such as saturated, trans-fats and partially-hydrogenated fats. However, because of the modern day diet, most American’s do not get an adequate intake of a group of unsaturated fats called Omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are important because they are associated with health-promotion. Two Omega-3 fats that are particularly important for health promotion include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both EPA and DHA are found in deep, cold water fish like salmon and mackerel. Given that the food sources of EPA and DHA are limited, supplementing the diet with a fish oil supplement is prudent. Supplementing with an Omega-3 fish oil supplement like VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil also provides internal lubrication to the various organs of the body including the skin.

6. If I eat fish on a regular basis, do I need to take a fish oil supplement? Most likely. Only certain types of fish like salmon and mackerel are high in EPA and DHA. And, unless the skin is eaten, it is likely that you’re not getting enough of these nutrients. To obtain the 1.5-2.0 grams of fish oil recommended per day by the American Heart Association, you would need to consume at least one serving of salmon a day! Aside from the practical issue, contamination of fish from ocean pollution is a concern. Although farm-raised fish do not present this problem, their Omega-3 content is lower because of the type of food fed to them. For these reasons, supplementing the diet with a high-quality fish oil supplement like VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA formula provides a convenient way to obtain the benefits of fish oil without the worry.

7. How does fish oil differ from flax seed oil? Flax seed oil belongs to a family of unsaturated fats called Omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seed oil is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid. Alpha-linolenic aid is one of the two essential fatty acids our bodies need and therefore must be obtained through either diet or supplementation. The American diet tends to lack in this essential nutrient because it is not widely available in the food supply (good sources include the oil derived from flax seeds and walnuts).

Like flax seed oil, fish oil also belongs to the Omega-3 family of fatty acids. Certain types of fish oil are high in two unsaturated fats – EPA and DHA. EPA helps to promote the favorable prostaglandins - hormone-like compounds that play a role in blood pressure, water retention, platelet stickiness, blood clotting and the inflammatory response. The brain is comprised principally of the fatty acid DHA. Numerous studies have pointed to the beneficial effects of supplementing with DHA in the treatment of attention deficit disorders in children and in memory problems with patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

8. Should I supplement with both flax seed oil and fish oil? Yes. The primary purpose for supplementing with flax seed oil is to obtain a sufficient quantity of the Omega-3 essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) must be obtained through either diet or supplementation. However, because alpha-linolenic acid is not widely available in the food supply, most Americans are deficient in this nutrient. Another reason for supplementing the diet with flax seed oil is to shift the balance in favor of Omega-3 vs. Omega-6 fatty acid consumption. Like the Omega-3s, the Omega-6s are a family of polyunsaturated fats. However, most Americans obtain sufficient quantities of the Omega-6 fats because their seed oils (e.g., corn, soy, safflower) are widely available in the food supply. An imbalance of Omega-6 to Omega-3 consumption leads to the development of unfavorable prostaglandins which promote inflammation, platelet stickiness, and water retention.

The primary purpose for supplementing with fish oil is to increase the dietary intake of two conditionally essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Although we can make both of these fatty acids from the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, the conversion process inefficient. And, if the diet is high in Omega-6 fats, which is true for most Americans, the conversion process is even less efficient. Supplementing with EPA and DHA fish oil is important because it promotes the favorable prostaglandins which help to reduce inflammation, platelet stickiness and water retention.

9. How does cod liver oil differ from fish oil that is high in EPA and DHA? Cod liver oil is not a good source of EPA and DHA. Cod liver oil in liquid and supplement form has been around for many years. While cod liver oil is beneficial for overall health, it is not high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In particular, these two polyunsaturated fats are associated with health promotion particularly cardiovascular and brain health. If you are looking for these health benefits, then you should supplement your diet with a supplement like VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil.

10. I’ve seen EPA and DHA only formulas. How do these differ from a formula that has both EPA and DHA? The answer is partly related to product benefits and to marketing. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plays a role in cardiovascular health whereas docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays a role in brain health. Formulas that are EPA specific are generally marketed as cardiovascular supplements and may also include other heart health nutrients like vitamin E and garlic. Formulas that are DHA specific are generally marketed as brain health supplements and may also include other brain nutrients like ginkgo biloba. Since these two fats are often found in nature in combination, it makes sense to supplement with both to ensure both cardiovascular and brain health.

11. What is the recommended dosing for VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil supplement? For overall health and wellness, the recommended dosing for Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil is 1-2 capsules per day, providing 600 – 1,200 mg of Omega-3 fish oil. For cardiovascular benefit and to reduce inflammation, the recommended dosing is 2-3 capsules per day is recommended, providing 1,200 – 1,800 mg of Omega-3 fish oil per day.

12. Does Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil need to be refrigerated? No, but refrigeration may extend the shelf life. Oils derived from polyunsaturated fats need to be handled with great care as they can quickly turn rancid. In particular, these delicate oils are particularly susceptible to light and heat. While liquid formulations are typically sold in opaque containers and require refrigeration, capsule formulations like VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil do not require refrigeration. This is because the lightly colored amber capsule helps to protect the oil from light. In addition, natural vitamin E has been added to protect the oil from oxidation. To ensure product freshness, each label of Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil includes a stamped lot number and date code. This ensures that you obtain a product at its peak. While the product does not need to be refrigerated, storing the bottle in a cool, dry place with the cap tightly closed will ensure that the product will remain fresh.

13. Does Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil leave a fishy aftertaste? No. Fish oil supplements have come a long way since the days when moms gave their kids cod liver oil. New manufacturing techniques have also helped to minimize the “fishy” aftertaste that is often associated with fish oil supplements. The fish oil used in VitaMedica’s Super EPA/DHA Fish Oil supplement has been extracted using the most up-to-date production methods. The oil has been ultra-refined and molecularly distilled to remove any fishy aftertaste. Many patients have remarked that VitaMedica’s product does not create any gastrointestinal (GI) upset. If you feel that this may be a problem for you, a suggestion is to refrigerate the capsules. The cold capsule further reduces the likelihood of causing any GI upset.

14. What other VitaMedica products may be beneficial to support overall health & wellness? A wide variety of VitaMedica products are designed to support overall health & wellness. Healthy-looking skin is a reflection of a health-promoting diet which is rich in fruits, vegetables and high-quality protein and fat sources. VitaMedica’s targeted nutraceuticals are designed to fill-in the gaps where diet leaves off. VitaMedica’s high-potency Multi-Vitamin & Mineral provides all of the essential vitamins & minerals necessary for optimal health and wellness. As the name implies, VitaMedica’s Broad Spectrum Antioxidant, provides a broad range of antioxidants to protect different organ systems from free-radical damage including the skin. And, VitaMedica’s HA+A Hydrating Nutraceutical helps to augment the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels to hydrate and protect the skin from dehydration and aging.

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