10 October 2009

A common question that we're asked is "what's the difference between taking our cod liver oil compared to other fish oils?"

Here's some of the main differences:

• Our cod liver oil contains vitamin A and D in a balanced form (see previous articles about acceptable ratios of A:D). Other fish oils have little or no vitamins - they are "hollow"
• Our cod liver oil is mercury free and every batch is tested.  Cod liver oil is made from the liver where as most fish oils are made from fish flesh. Mercury is water soluable and found in fish flesh.
• Vitamin A found in cod liver oil protects agains toxins such as dioxins found in fish oils - Vitamin A isn't present in other fish oils
• Omega-3s are notoriously hard to process.  Commercial processing of fish oils often uses heat, deodorising, pressure - all processes which damage omega-3s.  These oils often become oxidised.  Our cod liver oil is processed without any of these harsh processes.
• In 2008, Consumer investigated fish oils on the NZ market and found that 60% of the brands they tested had unnaceptable oxidation levels (over 20% oxidation). Another 17% of brands didn't contain the levels of omega-3s stated.

Omega-3s have been given amazing press over the last 5 years, and rightly so.  They do appear to be very useful for health.  Get some vitamin A and D with your omega-3s to really boost your health!