How do you recommend storing Fish Oil softgels?

Spectrum Fish Oil softgels are shelf stable, but should be kept refrigerated after opening to maintain freshness.

 

Are your Fish Oil softgels "pharmaceutical grade"?

No ‘Pharmaceutical Grade' monograph exists in the United States for fish oil supplements.

As proven throughout our history, Spectrum is a company dedicated to truth in labeling—and for being our customers' advocate for honest claims. We believe it is imperative that our customers are properly informed in their purchasing decisions.

Lately there has been a disturbing amount of companies claiming to sell ‘pharmaceutical grade' fish oil supplements. In the spirit of protecting people's right to know the truth about what they're buying, we want our customers to understand just how misleading and detrimental these false ‘pharmaceutical grade' claims really are to the credibility of the industry.

At the crux of the issue is the fact that there simply is no agreed-upon set of standards (in technical terms, a monograph) for fish oil supplements to date. These official monographs are set by the US Pharmacopoeia Convention (USPC) to provide standards for the active ingredients in drugs, biologics, dietary supplements, and devices, defining their 'strength, quality, and purity' for human use. Simply put, nothing can truthfully be deemed ‘pharmaceutical grade' until it has been officially defined by an approved USPC monograph.

Over the past several years, Spectrum has been working with other reputable companies through the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) in the development of a Voluntary Monograph on Long Chain Omega-3 EPA and DHA. This monograph specifically focuses on EPA and DHA and uses the European Pharmacopoeia assay methods to quantify these two fatty acids. It sets forth a consistent standard for measuring various quality indicators including oxidation, purity, stability and the amount of long chain Omega-3 EPA and DHA in products, as well as setting limits on environmental contaminants. Compliance with the monograph is completely voluntary.

We have worked long and hard at creating these standards to present to the USPC in hopes that an official monograph will be adopted to protect consumers' health. In the meantime, there is no official approved USPC monograph for fish oils.

Spectrum's Fish Oil Softgels are produced in compliance with the CRN Voluntary Monograph on Long Chain Omega-3 EPA and DHA.

 

Does molecular distillation harm the oil?

No. Because the process occurs in a light-free vacuum, the oil is not exposed to any light or oxygen and the health benefits (such as omega-3 levels) remain intact. However, some of the naturally occurring vitamins are removed during the process. For example, cod liver oil is naturally high in Vitamins A and D, but during molecular distillation the amounts of these vitamins are reduced.

 

Is Spectrum Fish Oil molecularly distilled? What about your Cod Liver Oil?

Spectrum Cod Liver Oil as well as the fish oil in Spectrum Fish Oil with Vitamin D are molecularly distilled. The fish oil in our other Spectrum Fish Oil softgel products is currently not molecularly distilled. All Spectrum products are tested by a third party laboratory for toxins (PCBs, dioxin-like PCBs, dioxins, furans, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) for purity and for freshness. Our fish oils meet GOED Omega-3 (Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 - formerly Council for Responsible Nutrition) standards. Further, our fish oil and cod liver oil meet California Proposition 65, European Union and Norwegian Food Safety Authority limits for toxins.

 

What species of mackerel are in your Fish Oil?

Our mackerel comes principally from Pacific Mackerel, which is a non-threatened species. However, due to variations in feeding patterns and the natural omega-3 content found in the mackerel, we may sometimes get our mackerel from the oceans around Africa. Our mackerel never comes from the Atlantic species, which is known to be predatory.

 

What types of fish are used in your Fish Oil?

Spectrum Fish Oil comes from non-threatened salt water species of wild-caught, small, plankton-feeding fish (anchovies, mackerel and sardines) that are low on the food chain. Harvesting these types of fish promotes sustainable fisheries. They principally come from Pacific water and sometimes from African oceans.

 

Which should I supplement my diet with Fish oil or Flax oil?

The choice is usually a matter of preference. Both ultimately supply your body with Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), which have been shown to have a number of important effects within the body.

The differences between fish oil and flax oil are as follows. Fish oil contains EPA and DHA. Our Norwegian Fish Oil capsules contain 360 mg of EPA and 240 mg of SHA per 2 capsule serving. Flax Oil contains Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid, which the body converts to EPA and DHA. Our Spectrum Essentials Organic Flax Oil contains 8 grams of omega-3 essential fatty acid per 1 Tablespoon serving.

Because the fish oil has preformed DHA and EPA, it is good for immediate brain and nerve support. If you feel you are very EFA depleted with brittle nails, brittle hair, failing eyesight, nervousness, etc, you may opt to take fish oil until you notice an improvement then convert to flax.

Please remember that these statements are in no way definitive and you should always consult with your healthcare practitioner before embarking on a new healthcare regime.

Both oils contain Essential Fatty Acids and have been shown to contribute positively to health. Some people opt to take both oils, reducing the amounts of both so that they complement each other.

 

Why did Spectrum change it's Norwegian Fish Oil softgels?

Spectrum's top-selling line of Fish Oil softgel has not only a new name and new look but new ingredients as well. Our new 'Fish Oil' has a light colored label and is now sourced from smaller, more sustainable fish (anchovies, mackerel and sardines) which are wild-caught, non-threatened, plankton-feeding fish that are low on the food chain. In addition, because our new 'Fish Oil' is no longer sourced just from Norway, Spectrum does not refer to the softgels as 'Norwegian.' We would also like to point out that the amount of EPA and DHA in our new 1,000mg Fish Oil softgels is the same as in our previous 'Norwegian Fish Oil' softgels. Each lot of our fish oil is third party tested and is below acceptable limits for harmful contaminants set by the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the World Health Organization.

 

How does Spectrum ensure that all the potential contaminants have been removed from its fish oil products?

Spectrum uses third party labs to independently test our fish oil for a comprehensive list of contaminants including heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury; toxins such as dioxins, PCBs, pesticides; and metal elements such as aluminum, trace nickel, trace copper, iron and
magnesium. All contaminants test at below detectable limits based on standards established by the Council for Responsible Nutrition, World Health Organization, and other advisory agencies.

 

Does Spectrum add back in the Vitamin A and Vitamin D that are lost during molecular distillation?

No. Many consumers eat healthy diets rich in vitamins or take a daily fat-soluble multivitamin, and some consumers even seek to minimize their intake of certain vitamins to avoid getting too much. As a result, we do not add back Vitamins A and D to our Cod Liver Oil. One serving of Spectrum Cod Liver Oil liquid (1 tsp/5mL) contains a range of 940-2,350 IU, or 19-47% RDI, of Vitamin A and 0-19 IU, or 0-5% RDI, of Vitamin D. One serving of Spectrum Cod Liver Oil softgels (4 softgels/2,080mg) contains a range of 416-1,040 IU, or 8-21% RDI, of Vitamin A and 0-8 IU, or 0-2% RDI, of Vitamin D. These ranges result from the fish's own diet, which varies depending on their feeding sources.

 

How much Vitamin E does Spectrum Cod Liver Oil contain?

We add a very small amount of natural, non-genetically engineered Vitamin E to our Cod Liver Oil in order to preserve freshness. Because it is not added for therapeutic purposes, the amount contained in the liquid oil ranges from 0-1 IU, or 0-3% RDI, per serving (1 tsp/5mL) and the
amount contained in the softgels is 0 IU, or 0% RDI, per serving (4 softgels/2,080mg).

 

How does your Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil differ?

Each type of fish oil contains different naturally occurring ratios of EPA and DHA. Our Cod Liver Oil has about 1 1/2 times the amount of DHA than EPA, while our Fish Oil has about 1 1/2 times the amount of EPA than DHA. Both EPA and DHA are important omega-3 essential fatty acids,however each component has unique benefits. DHA supports brain and nervous system functioning, while EPA supports heart health, reduces inflammation and improves cellular integrity*. Spectrum's Cod Liver Oil comes from the non-threatened species of Arctic Cod. Spectrum's Fish Oil comes from non-threatened species of anchovies, sardines and mackerel.

* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

How long is the liquid Cod Liver Oil good for after opening?

Spectrum liquid Cod Liver Oil is best if used within 6-8 weeks after opening. Product should be kept refrigerated after opening.