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Frequently Asked Questions

What are fatty acids?
Fatty acids are a component of every cell of your body. Fatty acids are used by your body to build and maintain specific healthy cells vital to wellness. Chemically, fatty acids are organic acids with a long chain of carbons, hydrogen, and some oxygen in their chemical structures.

What are “good” fat?
“Good” fats are fats required by your body for good health and to reduce disease risk. Some “good” fats are: polyunsaturated fats including Omega-3 and Omega-6; monounsaturated fats, including Omega-9s; and non-hydrogenated or un-hydrogenated fats.

What are “bad” fat?
“Bad” fats are fats that generally are harmful to your body. Some “bad” fats are: high levels of saturated fats and trans fats (found in vegetable shortening and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils).

What are essential fatty acids (EFAs)?
Essential fatty acids are fatty acids which are essential to your overall good health, and which can’t be produced by your body. Essential fatty acids are also called EFAs, and include some Omega-3.

What is Omega-3?
Omega-3s are vital fatty acids, which means that they are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured efficiently by the body. For this reason, Omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish and certain plant oils. It is important to consume an adequate amount of Omega-3 in your diet as they promote health. Members of the polyunsaturated fatty acid family, Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in cardiovascular health, brain function, as well as normal growth and development. At all stages of life you need Omega-3 fatty acids to ensure your overall health and to maintain your sense of well-being.

Can I consume too much Omega-3?
Too much of anything is not good for you. However, you would have to consume excessive amounts of Omega-3 before it would be detrimental to you. For healthy living, you should consume the recommended daily intake amounts of Omega-3 suitable for you, as suggested by numerous national and international health organizations.

What are EPA and DHA?
EPA is eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA is docosahexaenoic acid. EPA and DHA are Omega-3s and they are scientifically linked to be necessary for good health.

How is Omega-3 fish oil different from plant-derived Omega-3?
Plant-derived omega-3 PUFA is in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

·     ALA is considered an essential fatty acid (EFA) because the human body cannot synthesize it. The body converts ALA into EPA and DHA, which are biologically important to health.

·     Omega-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA are derived from ALA through enzymatic reactions in the body but this process does not efficiently supply the body with adequate amounts of EPA and DHA.

EPA and DHA are found in oily fish including Anchovies, Sardines, Mackerel, and Salmon, and commercially available omega-3 oils derived from these fish.

·     The ALA to EPA/DHA conversion process is very inefficient, therefore consumption of fish or omega-3 fish oil is necessary to ensure the body receives enough EPA and DHA to grow and function properly.  Fish oil is the best source of Omega – 3.

How does MEG-3® compare to flax?
MEG-3® delivers different Omega-3s than flax. The Omega-3 in MEG-3® (EPA and DHA) are more valuable to your body than the Omega-3 found in flax (ALA).

How much MEG-3® do I need per day?
In general, 500 mg to 650 mg of Omega-3 EPA/DHA per day is recommended (ISSFAL).

Can I take MEG-3® supplements if I am allergic to fish or other things?
Allergies to fish are usually associated with certain proteins (specifically parvalbumins) found in the edible muscle/flesh portion of fish.  Refined fish oil usually has a very low protein content due to the proecessing and purification steps required to extract the pure oil.

In the USA, the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act requires the labelling of recognised food allergens (including fish) on food packaging.  Refined fish oils are exempted from this US food-labelling requirement, since the risk is perceived as very low.

A small number of ONC microencapsulated fish oil products (including all Kosher and Halal microencapsulated products) also contain fish gelatin.  Fish gelatin primarily contains fish collagen derived from fish skins (not muscle/flesh).  Available published data and anecdotal experience suggest that the allergenic potential of fish gelatin is low.

What are the main nutrients in MEG-3®?
The main nutrients in MEG-3® are the “essential” Omega-3s EPA and DHA.

Is MEG-3® a pure and safe product?
Yes, MEG-3® is a pure, naturally-sourced, and safe product. Fish oils are purified before being used to make MEG-3®.

Are there artificial products in MEG-3®?
MEG-3® comes from natural sources.

Is the oil in MEG-3® derived from a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
No, MEG-3® oil is derived from wild harvested fish.

What is the source of MEG-3® fish oil?
MEG-3® fish oil is sourced from the purest wild Sardine and Anchovy fished in cold, pristine, deep waters off South America, where there are significantly less environmental impurities.   MEG-3® fish oil is the product of a healthy, fully sustainable fishery and is a renewable resource.

What are the health benefits of Omega-3?
Omega-3 EPA and DHA are important building blocks in every cell in your body. As you grow and develop you need these as essential components of your diet. Omega-3 EPA and DHA are:

·  An integral part of our cell membranes.
· 
Generally recognized for their cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, brain, nervous system, and eye health benefits.
· 
Precursors of several important cellular messengers.

Who can benefit from taking MEG-3® supplements?
Everyone can benefit from taking MEG-3® supplements. The Omega-3 contained in MEG-3® are beneficial to the overall good health of people of all ages.

How does MEG-3® benefit the heart?
MEG-3® benefits the heart by providing EPA and DHA, which promote cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently stated: “Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown in epidemiological (population studies) and clinical trails to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD-which includes heart attack and coronary heart disease deaths).”

How does MEG-3® benefit the brain?
MEG-3® benefits the brain by providing DHA that is used to build and support membranes of your brain cells. Research shows, EPA and DHA have been associated with the reduced risk of brain diseases and conditions such as depression, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Alzheimer’s disease, and memory loss.

How does MEG-3® benefit the body?
MEG-3® benefits the body by providing EPA and DHA to build cell membranes in your vital organs, such as your brain, liver, kidney, eyes and heart. EPA and DHA also help modify compounds known as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes, which regulate inflammation in such conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease and skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.

How is a microcap digested?
Due to ONC's Powder-loc™ technology, digestion does not begin in the mouth as it does with normal digsetion; instead, it begins in the stomach.  Since the shell material is made of protein, it is broken down by stomach acid and digestive enzymes.  The oil is released to the small intestine where the EPA and DHA is absorbed by the body.

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Ocean Nutrition Canada prides itself on its pure, high quality MEG-3® Omega-3 EPA/DHA fish oil.
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ONC awarded 2008 Reader’s Choice Wellness Foods Awards: Gold Award Winner, Omega Oils Category
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