05.01.14
Recent laboratory tests of fish oil, krill oil, algal oil, calamari oil and green-lipped mussel oil supplements by ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY, revealed labeling problems with four out of 30 supplements selected for review. Three supplements, including two for children, lacked more than 10% of their listed amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and/or DHA. Another product failed to list the ingredients in its enteric coating. ConsumerLab.com also found that a widely promoted “Omega” supplement actually contained small amounts of EPA and DHA.
Each product was purchased by ConsumerLab.com and put through an extensive battery of tests to determine levels of omega-3 fatty acids, freshness and potential contamination with mercury and PCBs. Tableted products were also tested for their ability to break apart (disintegrate) properly and enteric-coated products were analyzed to ensure they could withstand stomach acid and then release their contents in the neutral pH environment of the intestines. Any product that failed testing underwent re-testing in a second independent laboratory for confirmation.
In addition to quality ratings of supplements, the report includes information about the use of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, cancer, eye disease, psychiatric and cognitive disorders and in pregnancy.
Each product was purchased by ConsumerLab.com and put through an extensive battery of tests to determine levels of omega-3 fatty acids, freshness and potential contamination with mercury and PCBs. Tableted products were also tested for their ability to break apart (disintegrate) properly and enteric-coated products were analyzed to ensure they could withstand stomach acid and then release their contents in the neutral pH environment of the intestines. Any product that failed testing underwent re-testing in a second independent laboratory for confirmation.
In addition to quality ratings of supplements, the report includes information about the use of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, cancer, eye disease, psychiatric and cognitive disorders and in pregnancy.
