A while back, I recorded a podcast with Jen Luse about the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. We spoke specifically about WholeMega, a unique unadulterated whole fish oil softgel that showed early promise in some small clinical trials.
Today, Jen’s back to talk about some new research on WholeMega that shows its ability to reduce triglycerides and increase HDL (otherwise known as “good”) cholesterol in as little as two weeks.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
What is your opinion of LifeExtension’s Super Omega-3 EPA/DHA with Sesame Lignans & Olive Fruit Extract as
compared to WholeMega?
Hi Richard – sorry for the slow response.
In general, I really like Life Extension and the products they produce. In comparing the product you mention to WholeMega, for me it comes down to philosophy.
What makes WholeMega different than most other fish oil products is that, as the name implies, it is whole. That is, because it is not being purified in any way, the fish oil is “undisturbed”. This is the closest thing to eating wild Alaskan salmon with all of the EFAs as they naturally exist. Note – New Chapter does test all of their fish oil for contaminants via third-party, and often exceed industry standards for purity.
The Life Extension product is a more standard preparation of fish oil in that it is molecularly distilled. In most cases, this is preferred (except in cases of using the type of fish above). However, when you distill the fish oil, you do ‘disturb’ the natural balance. Essentially, the various EFAs found in the fish are isolated, separated from their natural triglyceride backbone resulting in a less bioavailable form. This is how companies can increase the amount of the isolated omega-3s EPA and DHA per softgel. It’s similar to isolating ascorbic acid and putting 1000mg in a tablet as opposed to getting your Vitamin C from a natural food source.
My philosophy is to use as much whole nutrition as possible for my foundational nutrition and targeted, higher dose isolates where/when appropriate. For example, studies suggest that omega-3s as high as 3000mg per day are effective at treating high triglycerides. In this case, I may be more apt to look for a high dose “isolate” EPA/DHA formula. However, when taking a supplement to supplement my diet (example, not eating enough good fish), I like WholeMega as a “whole” fish oil supplement.
Okay, so with all this said, I think the Life Extension product (like all their products), is a high quality. The added sesame seed and lignans do provide a set of nutrients not found in WholeMega, and for the right need, may offer greater benefit.