As we get older, our bodies need all of the help they can get.
Our memory, joints, heart, and metabolism all can show signs of wear and tear as the years pass by. And even though many people are aware of the benefits of Omega 3s for cognitive health, they may be surprised at the numerous other ways DHA and EPA help us as we age.*
These nutrients not only boost our brain health, but they also support cardiovascular, immune, and joint health.
EPA and DHA are essential fatty acids. They are critical to our overall well being, but our bodies can't synthesize them on their own. The only way for us to get adequate amounts is through our diet. Many people might think of fish oil as a supplement for pregnant women or for kids that won't touch fish or seafood. While Omega 3s are well known for their impact on developing minds, they are just as useful in maintaining other critical systems in the body throughout life.*
Today, fish oil is most often delivered in gelatine capsules. But liquid formats have incredible benefits as well. Remember cod liver oil? There are good reasons why grandmas all over the northern hemisphere have forced spoonfuls of it on kids for generations.
The most significant differences between liquid Omega 3 and capsules are:
Liquid fish oil has been around a lot longer than capsules, but let's be honest, not many people enjoy the taste of raw fish oil. The invention of gel caps changed the game in that aspect. With the pill format, you don't taste the Omega-rich, yet fishy oil and are thus much more likely to take it. So, gel capsules solved the problem of taste. Technology has improved over the years though, and high-quality Omega 3 liquid in 2020 is made using super clean formulas and improved flavors.
Capsules also provide a convenient storage method of small doses. For many people, a couple of pills just don't contain enough DHA and EPA, as they are rather small. To get the same amount of DHA and EPA prevalent in a 3oz serving of wild trout or salmon with generic fish oil capsules, you would need approximately six pills. This is because most basic fish oil products contain about 300mg of EPA and DHA combined per serving. So, getting the same amount as a 6oz filet would mean taking a handful of gel caps – upwards of twelve.
High-quality liquid Omega 3 is much more concentrated and allows you to get over 600mg of DHA and more than 500mg of EPA (each) per 5ml serving. In situations where someone needs 1000mg-plus of DHA and EPA, they only need two teaspoons (¾ of a tablespoon) of liquid Omega 3.
On top of this, liquid Omegas have better bioavailability because your body doesn't have to work as hard to get the nutrients into its system.
Our brains are made from dense concentrations of lipid fats. Fats make up about 60 percent of our brain mass, and specifically, 40 percent of our brain is comprised of DHA.
Because Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) are critical to maintaining optimal cell structure and function in the brain and nervous system, adequate levels of DHA are proven to help reduce the rate of natural cognitive decline, so it doesn't take a huge leap to understand that we need to support DHA levels as we age.*
But it isn't just in the brain itself. DHA accounts for roughly 50 percent of our neuronal plasma membrane (the borders around our neurons), which explains why it can be so helpful with memory, cognition, and how our nervous system functions.* Additionally, Docosahexaenoic acid makes up about 60 percent of the PUFAs in the retina, so it's essential for retinal support.*
When we're younger, we don't think much about our heart health. In our twenties and thirties, it's not on our minds, and for many people, it doesn't need to be. But as we move into middle age and beyond, maintaining optimal cardiovascular health becomes a concern.
Both DHA and EPA help reinforce cardiovascular health, but when it comes to heart and joint health, EPA really shines.* The reason is EPA supports a healthy inflammatory response.* Extensive studies with over 40,000 people have proven the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids for heart health.* And because we don't produce essential fatty acids, researchers recommend that healthy adults receive 500 mg of DHA and EPA per day. [1]
But it isn't easy to eat fish every day for most people. For some of us, it's nearly impossible to get fresh, great-tasting fish regularly due to geographic and economic constraints.
When a steady diet of fish isn’t an option, supplementing with high-quality Omega 3 liquid can benefit us as we age.* Just one teaspoon and your brain, nervous system, immune system, heart, joints, and skin get all of the polyunsaturated fatty acids they need.* If you want to protect your brain from everyday wear and tear, quality is of the utmost importance.* Check the label for PCB free, IFOS certified (International Fish oil Standards) ingredients, and third-party testing for heavy metals.
Liquid and capsule Omega 3s each have their pros and cons, but regardless of the delivery system, one thing is clear –Omega 3 is a rising star in the discussion of healthy aging.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
[1] "Daily Omega-3s Recommended for Heart - WebMD." 3 Aug. 2009, https://www.webmd.com/heart/news/20090803/daily-omega-3s-recommended-heart. Accessed 5 Jun. 2020.