Omega-3 capsules, algal oil and lutein

Fish oil, krill oil or algal oil: the three sources

In our products, omega-3 fatty acids come from three sources. Fish oil is contained in OMEGAlife CLASSIC and OMEGAlife VITA PLUS. It is a fish oil concentrate from Pacific pollock from the Gulf of Alaska, MSC-certified in the case of CLASSIC. Krill oil comes from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). Vita Omexanthin combines it with fish oil from anchovy, sardine, mackerel and tuna and also provides phospholipids and astaxanthin. Algal oil is the plant-based source. OMEGAlife VEGAN contains oil from the microalga Schizochytrium sp. from aquaculture, OMEGAlife VEGAN LIQUID combines algal oil from the USA with Ahiflower® oil from Great Britain. According to the manufacturer, CLASSIC, VITA PLUS and Omexanthin are not suitable for people with a fish allergy.

EPA and DHA per daily serving compared

What matters is not the amount of oil per capsule, but how much EPA and DHA a daily serving provides. Two capsules of OMEGAlife CLASSIC, for example, contain 2,000 mg fat, of which 1,100 mg are omega-3 fatty acids, and of these, in turn, 1,000 mg are EPA and DHA.

Like CLASSIC, VITA PLUS contains fish oil concentrate from Pacific pollock, supplemented with 60 mg coenzyme Q10 and 50 µg vitamin D3 per daily serving. VEGAN LIQUID also provides 265 mg ALA and 100 mg SDA per teaspoon, a total of 2,415 mg omega-3 fatty acids. For many other fish oil capsules, the fish species and catch area are not stated, and some packs only show the total of omega-3 fatty acids without listing EPA and DHA individually.

How EPA, DHA and vitamins contribute

In the EU, there are authorised health claims for EPA and DHA, each with a minimum amount. EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of EPA and DHA. All five omega-3 products reach this amount. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. DHA contributes to maintenance of normal brain function. For both DHA claims, the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA. This is met by CLASSIC, VITA PLUS, VEGAN and VEGAN LIQUID, but not by Omexanthin with 200 mg DHA. Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. CLASSIC contains 24 mg vitamin E per daily serving, which is 200% of the reference value. There is no authorised health claim for astaxanthin, phospholipids, coenzyme Q10, lutein or zeaxanthin. Which claim applies to which product is stated on the respective product page.

What you can look out for when buying omega-3 capsules

• EPA and DHA per daily serving: Both values should be listed individually with their amounts, not just the amount of oil or total omega-3.
• Origin: The fish species, catch area or type of alga show where the oil comes from. Labels such as MSC for fish oil or the Vegan Society Trademark for algal oil should be on the pack.
• Capsule shell: CLASSIC and Omexanthin have a capsule shell made of gelatine, OMEGAlife VEGAN a capsule made of modified maize starch.
• Allergens: Omexanthin may contain traces of protein from crustaceans and fish.
• Price per daily serving: Work out the price per day. It is shown directly next to the price on every product page.

Intake: timing, amount and storage

For the capsules, the daily serving is 2 capsules, for VEGAN LIQUID 1 teaspoon (5 ml). You can take CLASSIC independently of meals. If you experience unpleasant belching, take CLASSIC or VITA PLUS with a meal and a little water. According to the recommended intake, pregnant and breastfeeding women take 1 capsule of OMEGAlife VEGAN daily. Take VEGAN LIQUID neat or in cold dishes; for children aged 3 and over, the manufacturer states smaller amounts. After opening, the bottle should be kept in the fridge and used within 2 months. The oil may become cloudy in the fridge, without any loss of quality. Shake the bottle briefly before use.

One pack lasts 60 days for CLASSIC and VEGAN, 45 days for VITA PLUS, 30 days for Omexanthin and 20 days for VEGAN LIQUID. For Omexanthin, the manufacturer recommends courses of at least 60 days. From 2 packs you save 5%, from 3 packs 8%, from 4 packs 12%.

Lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin B2

Vita Lutein Complex contains 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin per capsule. Both are carotenoids that the body cannot produce itself. They are joined by 2 mg astaxanthin, 20 mg pine bark extract with OPC and bilberry concentrate. There is no authorised health claim for lutein and zeaxanthin. Vitamin B2 is different: one capsule provides 1.4 mg, which is 100% of the reference value. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. Riboflavin contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Take one capsule daily with a glass of water, ideally with a meal.

Notes and manufacturers

Omexanthin and Lutein Complex contain astaxanthin. Take only one of them on the same day and no other food supplement containing astaxanthin esters. Omexanthin is not suitable for children under 10 years of age, Lutein Complex not for children under 10 years of age. If you take blood thinners, you should consult a healthcare professional before consuming Omexanthin. VITA PLUS contains 50 µg vitamin D3 per daily serving. If you use other products containing vitamin D, add up the amounts. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose of each product. CLASSIC, VITA PLUS, Omexanthin and Lutein Complex come from Vita Health Care AG, the two vegan OMEGAlife products from DOETSCH GRETHER AG. Both are Swiss manufacturers based in Basel. You will also find omega-3 with coenzyme Q10 in the For men selection.