Omega 3 capsules (merged)

Ted_Hutchinson

Lendusapund wrote:

Ive just read the post above for the childrens test/dose and was wondering how much Omega 3 adults should/could take daily? On the tv prog for prof Winston, Im sure he mentioned something about 520 mgs per day? most tablets I see dont come near that (ps hate fish so would be looking for tablets).

It really depend on the reason why you are wanting to take the omega3.
from World's Healthiest foods
This panel of experts recommended that people consume at least 2% of their total daily calories as omega-3 fats. To meet this recommendation, a person consuming 2000 calories per day should eat sufficient omega-3-rich foods to provide at least 4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. This goal can be easily met by adding just two foods to your diet: flaxseeds and wild-caught salmon. Two tablespoons of flaxseeds contain 3.5 grams of omega 3 fats, while a 4 ounce piece of salmon contains 1.5 grams of omega 3 fats.
Vegans and vegetarians relying on ALA as their only source of omega-3 fatty acids should increase their consumption of ALA-rich foods accordingly to ensure sufficient production its important derivatives, EPA and DHA.

With omega 3 you are trying to adjust the ratio of omega 3<>omega6 in your diet so cutting back on saturated fat also helps.
If you are going for the linseed option you need to know that linseed passes straight through your digestive system virtually untouched if you don't grind it into meal first. I buy a 5kg bag (SUMA £5.75) and grind a potful in a coffee grinder then keep the pot in the fridge. While whole the seeds keep a couple of years but the meal will deteriorate over a month or so if it gets warm. Adding a tbs of this meal to your cereal is no problem, but it can also go on veg,soups, stews, baking etc. One of the recent bits of news I've read about linseed is that it has a strong inhibitory effect on omega-6 metabolic pathway. so although I've been concerned about the relatively poor conversion rate of ALA to EPA the fact of this inhibitory action on omega 6 uptake means it's effect on the ratio is more pronounced than might be expected.

Remember a gram of omega3 is not the same as a gram of fish oil. The fish oil capsules contain around a third of a gram so you need 3x1000g capsules to provide 1g of omega 3.
I use ZIPVIT OMEGA JUICE and one teaspoon of that provides 1.5g of omega 3.
If you are wanting it to improve arthritis/depression/Cardiovascular disease you may want to take 2tsps.
The beneficial effect of omega 3 tends to plateau off around 5g/d and there is little or no extra benefit above 9g/d.

More on oily fish from the FSA

Jet

I buy Omega 3 capsules for myself from Zipvit.

I've tried various omega 3 capsules for my 8 year old son (including the omega juice) but the only one he will take is the haliborange tablets which I buy when on offer at Boots. I know they are not a particularly high dose, but better than nothing.

I see Zipvit have introduced a chewable omega 3 capsule - has anyone tried them on their kids? Did they like them? They work out about the same price as the haliborange ones. £8 for 90 capsules.

Does anyone know what the dosage is of the Zipvit capsules compared to the haliborange ones?

Jet

Just had 5 mins and phoned them and asked about epa and dha.

DHA (per capsule) 80mg
DPA (per capsule) 13.75mg

RDA 2 capsules per day.

This isn't very good is it?

Ted_Hutchinson

Jet wrote:

I buy Omega 3 capsules for myself from Zipvit.

I've tried various omega 3 capsules for my 8 year old son (including the omega juice) but the only one he will take is the haliborange tablets which I buy when on offer at Boots. I know they are not a particularly high dose, but better than nothing.

I see Zipvit have introduced a chewable omega 3 capsule - has anyone tried them on their kids? Did they like them? They work out about the same price as the haliborange ones. £8 for 90 capsules.

Does anyone know what the dosage is of the Zipvit capsules compared to the haliborange ones?

I realy don't think it is in any way sensible to use these omega3 for kids chews.These are the Haliborange ingredients.

Average Values
Per 2 capsules
%RDA*
Fish oil
400mg
*
Providing Omega-3 Nutrients
260mg
*
of which DHA
200mg

of which EPA
28mg

Vitamin A
800µg
100
Vitamin D
5µg
100

Vitamin E 3mg30Vitamin C 60mg100

Energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat negligible

RDA = EC recommended daily allowance

* = RDA not established

Ingredients:
Capsule shell (glycerol, gelling agent: gelatin, modified starch, colours: (iron oxide, titanium dioxide), acidity regulator: citric acid, sweetener: sodium saccharin, flavour: orange). Fish oil, sweeteners (mannitol, aspartame), hydrogenated vegetable oil, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), flavour: orange, emulsifier: lecithin, vitamin E (dl alpha tocopheryl acetate), vitamin A prep., vitamin D prep.

You will see I've made bold the ingredients that I think simply shouldn't be in any produce for children. Seems to me totally pointless to give your child omega 3 designed to alter the ratio of omega3<>omega 6 laced with hydrogentated omega 6 which actually defeats the object of the exercise.

Here is the list of ingredients for Zipvit chews Gelatine
glycerin
citric acid
aspartame
fish oil of which DHA 160 EPA 27 total 187mg (two capsules)
vitamin C
hydrogenated vegetable oil
vitamin E acetate
lemon flavour
vitamin A palmatate
vitamin D
antioxidant

I've had to phone Zipvit to find out the actual omega 3 content of the chewables. Not at all surprised they don't advertise it in their catalogue or onsite. Pathetic. A tin of sardines costing 18p from nettos will contain at least 2g of omega 3 More than 20 Zipvit capsules. with a ration probably around 1200mg EPA 800 DHA (I'm guessing here as I haven't a tin to hand)

If you really cannot get your child to eat oily fish reguarly then Healthspan brain boosters may be the way to go if you cannot afford the overpriced overhyped EyeQ. This is their ingredient list.
Nutritional info Per 2 capsules: Pure Fish Oils – 606mg, of which Omega 3 fatty acids represent 358mg (DHA is 180mg, EPA is 120mg).
Ingredients: Mannitol, Pure Fish Oils, Glycerin, Gelatin, Vegetable Fat, Modified Potato Starch, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Natural Orange Flavours, Lemon Oil, Sucralose, Sodium Saccharin, Titanium Dioxide, Coconut and Palm Kernel Oils, Yellow Iron Oxide Paste, Curcumin Powder. allergen information Capsules contain fish, soya and sulphur dioxide. Free from aspartame, gluten, sugar, wheat & yeast
Still with artificial sweetner and saturated fat but at least it's not hydrogenated which doubles the danger. Code to get £2 off £15 spend is LSR-RN

I should also point out the research on which most of the claims are based used around 700mg omega 3, admittedly this was on children showing some symptoms which MAY be associated with low omega 3 levels. If you could get your son to swallow ordinary fish oil capsules rather than chew them it would be better to use an adult formulation that resulted in an intake of around 700mg that would be 2 1000mg or 4 500mg. It would work out cheaper and better and avoid the artificial sweetners and saturated hydrogenated fat issues.

Jet

Thanks Ted.

After having a scan through other threads, I've ordered this http://www.healthspan.co.uk/shop/product.aspx?Id=CODL from the same site. The DHA is 460mg and EPA is 345mg.

I really hope he likes it more than the zipvit juice!

Ted_Hutchinson

Jet wrote:

Thanks Ted.

After having a scan through other threads, I've ordered this http://www.healthspan.co.uk/shop/product.aspx?Id=CODL from the same site. The DHA is 460mg and EPA is 345mg.

I really hope he likes it more than the zipvit juice!

I've not tried it but others say it's fine. It's a better price, better strength and doesn't have the usual crap in it.

louise24769

Hi There,
Today,This morning,is giving away 5000 x 3 months worth of Omega 3 oils.

Fill in the form and see if you are one of the lucky ones.
https://www.itv-thismorning.co.uk/NewsAndFeaturesArticle.aspx?fid=1535&tid=3

BE QUICK THOUGH!

Louise

Westywoodpecker

Thank you. Must be worth a go!

coyotekate

I have a headache now,read all I can find on omega 3 here ,can anyone tell me what works for them ,as in the child takes it and it gives the right levels without taking 3/4/5 capsules at a time

9yr old ,not terrific diet (which needs addressing obviously) poor attention in school and fidgety,head has recommended trying omega 3 but don't know which is best/palatable

carol9uk

hi, my son takes, who 12 takes eye Q fish oil at fisrt he did not like it, but it is taken with food, which he finds easier.
it has help him, as he his got special needs and finds it hard to concertate at school