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heblaj01 · 10-07-2006, 01:39 PM

Sarah's interesting post (above: titled fish oil omega 3 for the heart) has a link to the Solvay Co web site dealing with their product called Omacor in which site I learned a few more facts on Omega-3 fish oils.

In particular, I noticed that their product was directly absorbed from gut to liver. This contradicted what I knew (& posted further above in this thread) that Omega-3 fish oils (chiefly EPA & DHA long chain fatty acids) are absorbed through the lymphatic system which may have advantages in terms of increased bioavailability & half life.

As it happens Omacor is not like most common fish oil pills in the form of triacylglycerols but is a semi-synthetic ethyl ester of fish oil which is indeed absorbed through the liver.

Which one is better? I am not sure & experimental data comparing triacylglycerols & ethyl esters are few.

These points (besides bioavailability) can help in deciding:
- Omega-3 triacylglycerols are usually lower in EPA/DHA content per pill.
This means that 40% or more of pills is made of medium chain Omega 6 & 9 & perhaps small quantities undesirable pollutants in the least refined
products.

- Omega-3 ethyl esters are usually 90 to 95% EPA/DHA which leaves only 5
to 10% for other medium chain fatty acids.
Since they are first absorbed by the liver high doses may be less tolerable
especially for those having impaired liver function.

10-07-2006, 01:39 PM	#13
heblaj01 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 543	Omega-3 fatty acids: triacylglycerols vs semi-synthetic ethyl esters Sarah's interesting post (above: titled fish oil omega 3 for the heart) has a link to the Solvay Co web site dealing with their product called Omacor in which site I learned a few more facts on Omega-3 fish oils. In particular, I noticed that their product was directly absorbed from gut to liver. This contradicted what I knew (& posted further above in this thread) that Omega-3 fish oils (chiefly EPA & DHA long chain fatty acids) are absorbed through the lymphatic system which may have advantages in terms of increased bioavailability & half life. As it happens Omacor is not like most common fish oil pills in the form of triacylglycerols but is a semi-synthetic ethyl ester of fish oil which is indeed absorbed through the liver. Which one is better? I am not sure & experimental data comparing triacylglycerols & ethyl esters are few. These points (besides bioavailability) can help in deciding: - Omega-3 triacylglycerols are usually lower in EPA/DHA content per pill. This means that 40% or more of pills is made of medium chain Omega 6 & 9 & perhaps small quantities undesirable pollutants in the least refined products. - Omega-3 ethyl esters are usually 90 to 95% EPA/DHA which leaves only 5 to 10% for other medium chain fatty acids. Since they are first absorbed by the liver high doses may be less tolerable especially for those having impaired liver function.