Ultra Pure DHA/EPA 500 mg from Vitals is a fish oil preparation containing the important omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in a generous dosage, with an emphasis on a greater amount of DHA compared to EPA. For certain groups (such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, growing children, and adults over 50), DHA is indeed more important than EPA. The absorbability of the fatty acids in Ultra Pure DHA/EPA 500 mg is excellent because they are in the high-quality triglyceride form. Producer Golden Omega is known for making extremely pure fish oil. Moreover, the total oxidation values (TOTOX) in every batch of oil are very low. The oil itself is very clear in colour, which reflects the exceptionally high quality. All in all, Ultra Pure DHA/EPA 500 mg is pure, extraordinarily fresh, and well absorbable. In short, you can confidently choose Ultra Pure DHA/EPA 500 mg from Vitals!

For pregnant women, breastfeeding, and adults over 50 years old
The polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid DHA is an important building block of the nervous tissue in our brains. During the rapid development of the brain in the foetus and infant, a lot of DHA goes to the brain to become part of nerve cell membranes. Less well-known is that DHA is also part of the retina in our eye. The retina is formed from brain tissue during the development of the foetus. Structurally, this part of the eye remains a part of our central nervous system. The retina consists of nerve cells, which also have a high DHA content in their membranes. The retina captures the light we perceive and converts it into electrical signals, which then travel via the optic nerve to our brains.

Since the human body's ability to produce sufficient DHA from the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is very limited, it follows that sufficient intake of DHA from food contributes to the normal development of the eyes and brain in the foetus and infant, but also to maintaining normal vision and healthy brain function in adults. The foetus depends on the mother's DHA intake during pregnancy. The infant receives DHA through breastfeeding (and is therefore dependent on how much the mother consumes) or through infant formula, which is now required to have DHA added.

From the age of 50, many people feel the need to pay extra attention to maintaining their normal brain function and vision. Even in that stage of life, it is important to ensure sufficient daily intake of DHA, by regularly eating fish, possibly supplemented with a fish oil or algae oil supplement with a generous dosage of DHA.

It is no coincidence that eating especially fatty fish, which are naturally rich in DHA (and EPA), is always part of official recommendations for healthy eating for various age groups. In practice, however, a significant portion of people do not eat enough (fatty) fish to reach the recommended daily dosages of DHA and EPA. There are various reasons why people do not meet the recommendations, but it is a problem because fish is still our main source of DHA and EPA. In 2010, the EFSA formulated an additional recommendation for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to ensure a daily intake of 450 mg DHA plus EPA (of which at least 200 mg DHA). If a pregnant woman or breastfeeding mother consistently eats fish twice a week (at least once being fatty fish), she approximately reaches this dosage. But many pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers do not reach this amount.

Moreover, recent research suggests that the optimal dosage of DHA and EPA during pregnancy (and breastfeeding) may be higher. However, eating fish more than twice a week is unwise for pregnant women because of the harmful substances that can be present due to environmental pollution (especially dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals such as methylmercury). Some fish species contain higher levels of contaminants than others, hence there is only a limited list from which pregnant women can choose. This is not an issue with high-quality fish oil supplements that are purified and therefore contain little to no contaminants. For pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers who do not consistently eat fish twice a week or who wish to further increase their DHA intake, it might be a good idea to supplement their diet daily with a fish oil supplement.

Fish oil from Golden Omega
Ultra Pure DHA/EPA 500 mg contains fish oil from producer Golden Omega. It is located in a state-of-the-art production facility in northern Chile. The building is in a very strategic location, right next to the waters where the anchovies used for making the fish oil are caught. The great advantage of this is that the fish can be processed quickly after being caught and therefore remains very fresh. Golden Omega works exclusively with certified fishermen to keep the ecological impact as low as possible.

Golden Omega's main focus in producing its fish oil is purity and quality. The application of a patented purification process to remove contaminants from the fish, combined with a patented concentration process, ensures that Golden Omega delivers very high-quality products. This is reflected in the extremely clear colour of the fish oil but above all in the very low TOTOX values of their oils (with an average value below 5). TOTOX stands for Total Oxidation Value and is a measure of the freshness/rancidity of an oil. Fish oil is particularly sensitive to oxidation because it contains a large amount of vulnerable unsaturated fatty acids. Oxidative damage to fatty acids occurs through contact with oxygen, but can also be accelerated by heating (as happens when frying fish). A low TOTOX value is important because rancid oils do not seem to be healthy and is, besides purity, a good measure of the quality of a fish oil supplement. Moreover, a low TOTOX value ensures that the chance of fishy burps is minimal. And that is a great advantage for many people.

Golden Omega has several certifications in the field of quality and sustainability, as additional proof of the high standard their fish oils meet, including IFOS (quality, freshness, purity, and stability certification for fish oil), Friend of the Sea (sustainable fishing and protection of the natural ecosystem certification), Dolphin Safe (sustainable fishing and dolphin protection certification), and Green-e (green energy certification).

Permitted health claims:

• - DHA is good for maintaining healthy brain function and good vision, with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA
• - DHA is an important building block for the brain, with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA
• - DHA plays a role in the functioning of the retina, with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA
• - DHA contributes to the normal development of the eyes and brain in the foetus and in the breastfed infant, with a daily intake of 200 mg by the mother, in addition to the recommended daily amount of 250 mg EPA and DHA
• - EPA and DHA are good for the normal functioning of the heart, with a daily intake of 250 mg EPA and DHA