Nordic Naturals Algae Omega

THE sustainable alternative to fish oil

I really can't tell whether this stuff does any good, but scientific theory says that it should. DHA and EPA are the starting materials for anti-inflammatory hormones called resolvins. A recent study reports that fish oil supplements (containing DHA and EPA) help prevent asthma attacks (and, logically, should help prevent other inflammatory maladies). BUT fish oil is extracted from fish, usually those at the bottom of the food chain that are "not economically important." They're not??? They support all of the other, larger fish in the ocean, and are tremendously important! The fish oil industry should be banned outright in order to save the oceans. As it turns out, EPA and DHA aren't made by fish. They're made by microalgae that start the food chain. All of the fish rely on this source, and tenaciously hold onto whatever EPA and DHA they consume. That's why "fatty fish" like salmon are recommended as a good source of omga-3's, of which EPA and DHA are the most important. BUT: we don't have to kill the fish! As Nordic Naturals has done with this product, but not their others, one can grow the algae in bio-reactors on land, and extract the oils from them directly. It's not only sustainable, but the microalgae are a CO2 sink! NOTE: the omega-3 in flax oil is not EPA or DHA, it's linolenic acid. To be functional, it must be converted into EPA and DHA, BUT humans can't do that conversion EXCEPT during pregnancy/lactation and during fetal development and nursing. If we have a good source of linolenic acid as adults, we can ensure that our children get the necessary DHA and EPA -- not only for anti-inflammatory hormones, but also, and primarily, for their retinas and neurons. In the good old days, we got our linolenic acid from meat, because our animals were grass-fed, and leaves (including grass) are rich in linolenic acid. Now, with feedlots and grain-fed meat, we are woefully deficient in these essential fatty acids. I apologize for the lecture, but I believe that this is really important on many levels

460 persons found it helpful

Recently Reformulated Product Contains Caramel Coloring

This product has been recently reformulated and now contains caramel coloring (which is why the soft gels now look dark brown to black). According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (all information below from their web site), caramel coloring produced using ammonia contains contaminants which are possibly carcinogenic: "Caramel coloring is made by heating a sugar compound (usually high-dextrose corn syrup), often together with ammonium compounds, acids, or alkalis. Caramel coloring, when produced with ammonia, contains contaminants, 2-methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole. In 2007, studies by the U.S. National Toxicology Program found that those two contaminants cause cancer in male and female mice and possibly in female rats. In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, concluded that 2- and 4-methylimidazole are "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Then, the State of California's Environmental Protection Agency listed ammonia-caramel coloring as a carcinogen under the state's Proposition 65. The state lists chemicals when they pose a lifetime risk of at least 1 cancer per 100,000 people. California warned that as of January 7, 2012, widely consumed products, such as soft drinks, that contained more than 29 micrograms of 4-methylimidazole per serving would have to bear a warning notice. In March 2012, when CSPI published the results of a study that found levels up to 150 micrograms per can of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola purchased in Washington, DC, the soft-drink giants announced that they had reduced the contaminant to below California's threshold for action in products distributed in California. They said they would market the less-contaminated products throughout the country, but did not give a timetable for that change. The FDA has a limit that is 10 times as strict as California's for regulating chemicals that are contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals. CSPI's analysis of a Coca-Cola purchased in 2012 in California found just 4 micrograms of 4-MI per 12 ounces. Even that much lower level might exceed the FDA's threshold for action of 1 cancer per million consumers." There are several different types of caramel coloring, types III and IV contain the contaminants thought to be carcinogenic: "Caramel colorings are manufactured in several ways. Caramel Color I (may be used in high-proof alcoholic beverages) and Caramel Color II (may be used in cognac, sherry, and vegetable extract) are produced with alkali or acid caustic chemicals and sometimes sulfites (Caramel II), but not with ammonium compounds. Caramel Color III (synonyms: ammonia caramel, ammonia process caramel, closed-pan ammonia process caramel, open-pan ammonia process caramel, bakers' caramel, confectioners' caramel, and beer caramel) is prepared by the controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates with ammonium compounds. Caramel Color III is often used in baking, beer, soy sauce, gravy, and other products. Caramel Color IV (synonyms: ammonia sulfite process caramel, sulfite ammonia caramel, sulfite ammonia process caramel, acid-proof caramel, beverage caramel, and soft-drink caramel) is prepared by the controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates with ammonium-containing and sulfite-containing compounds. Soft drinks colored with caramel coloring generally are made with Caramel Color IV, which is generally used in colas and certain other soft drinks, and it also may be used in blended whiskey and general food applications." I have written to Nordic Naturals asking what type of Caramel Color is used in their product, as well as the amount used if Caramel Color III or IV (since the risk is dose related, and the dose may be tiny compared to what one gets in a can of Coca Cola). I will update this review with any information I receive from them. My 3 star rating is solely related to the addition of caramel coloring; I will revise the rating if information from the company warrants it

237 persons found it helpful

Vegan-friendly “fish oil” recently reformulated

Nordic Naturals - Algae Omega, Eye Health, Heart Health, and Optimal Wellness, 120 Soft Gels Great alternative to fish oil - get omega-3s the same place the fishes do - algae. Updated comment 6/18/2016 - noticed a lot of angst about caramel coloring in the comments. The ingredient list on the product today now with even more omega 3) lists CAROB as the source of color. Everybody relax and find something else to worry about

83 persons found it helpful

Avoid if Pregnant, Otherwise Taste Like Kelp, Easy to take

This is one of a few different Omega 3 supplements I purchased recently. This and the one by Amala Vegan were the only ones allegedly sourced from Algae, so those are the two I'm going to be comparing for this review. So this one, the dose size is 2 pills. The pills are about half an inch long and a little more then a quarter of an inch wide, which is slightly larger then Amala's, but I swallowed both of them at the same time without any difficulty. These, when I opened them up, they smell like seaweed and they taste like kelp on my tongue. Which I thought was a huge improvement over Amala's, which smelled like fish and tasted like Tuna. And since I wasn't always the vegetarian I am today, I find that very interesting. And at this point, I'm planning on passing Amala's off to my hubby, who is not a vegetarian, and won't really care about the taste or...whatever may be causing the differences in taste. The dose of omega 3's is higher in these, which is good, but it is still below all of the therapeutic uses for Omega 3. So if you are using this for anything other then a dietary supplement, like say for depression, or cancer, or whatever....it's really a rather long list of things Omega 3/6 supplementation can benefit actually...Mayo clinic's website has a great rundown of the conditions and the doses, and you can up the number of pills on these accordingly. Of course, that will get pricey. For depression, you'd need to take about 4 of these pills a day. Taking more on these is an option because it doesn't have vitamin E in it, which is something Amala does add to theirs, and because vitamin E has some harmful side effects if you exceed the recommended daily allowance, medically it's not really safe to take multiple doses of their product to get the omegas up to a therapeutic level, so that's one that I recommend you just take if you need supplemental omegas in your diet. My one note of caution on these is for pregnant women. These have Rosemary extract in them, so if you are pregnant, or planning on becoming so, this isn't something you should be using because there is a possibility it can stimulate your uterus and lead to miscarriage. That applies to anything oral with rosemary extract actually. So just an FYI. But if you're not pregnant, I don't see any reason why these wouldn't work well for you. I'm not experiencing any unpleasant aftertaste like I was yesterday with Amala's, so I think these are generally pretty non-offensive, and this company has an established track record in the supplement industry. If you don't want to taste seaweed, or want something that will be cheaper for a therapeutic dose, you could try flax oil supplements...that's what's up next on my to-be-tried list...Best of luck to you :

51 persons found it helpful

My husband finally found an omgea 3 supplement he can tolerate

This is my husband's revew... For years I tried many types of omega 3 supplements and found they all made me feel awful. A young man who works in Earthfare 's wellness department mentioned the Nordic Naturals algae omega capsules and I tried them. They are pricey but they cause no side effects when I take them. I'm way more sensitive than most folks to supplements, etc. It's nice to finally have found one I can take. Thanks

46 persons found it helpful

The one for me

I started taking these a while back when I was looking to supplement. I always have to research supps really carefully, and no problems with these whatsoever, but you always wonder, am I taking the best thing for me? I recently consulted with my MD who is also an IFM and she gave me a list of recommended supplements and when I asked, this is the very brand she takes. I'm so smart!!!! :) But hey, read the ingredients, there is carrageenan in this and also sorbitol. These in high amounts affect me and I am sensitive, but these do not affect me

45 persons found it helpful

Best source for vegeterian DHA

This review is for the Algae Omega softgels and not the liquid drops (which sometimes shows up as the main image). Vegetarian Omega 3s are recommended in addition to the fish oil based Omegas in order to balance their absorption in the body. These softgels are especially useful during pregnancy days and my wife loves them. They do not add any issues to the digestive system, no after-burps, and are easy to swallow. Daily dose consists of 2 Soft Gels and provide 570 mgs of Omega-3s in combination of DHA and EPA. In addition, it also provides 800 I.U of vitamin D, which is also a necessary nutrient for body. Besides Nordic Naturals is one of the best and most reputed brands for Omega-3s and the price on Amazon is always unbeatable. Overall, we are very pleased with this product and plan to continue it even after childbirth and further

45 persons found it helpful

Algae supplement filling the gap

Our dr. recommended an omega-3 supplement, but felt that getting this nutrient as close to its source as possible made it more effective. He explained that getting the omega-3 through fish oil was from a less effective souce because algae makes omega fats, then is eaten by small fish, then bigger fish eating the smaller fish and on up the food chain. He felt that taking an algea supplement was stronger and more effective source. He explained that he used Nordic Naturals Algea Omega and felt it was the best way to get the omega-3 nutrient we needed now that we are in our 70's. The gel capsules are easy to swallow and have no taste to them. We will find out how well they are increasing our omega-3 at our next health review

43 persons found it helpful

With consistency….

I'm someone who suffers from poor memory. So far, this is the only thing that has helped with my sharpness. It took about 3 weeks for me to feel anything, and I even had close friends make comments on my memory so I know this stuff works, but definitely need to be consistent. I noticed once my memory was working well I gained the confidence back and then I stopped taking them... And slowly started back on the amnesia track. It's important to be consistent and patient when taking them

33 persons found it helpful

Necessary to help with Dry Eye Syndrome

I have inherited Dry Eye syndrome. It can cause blindness. I'm also very low-income. I've tried other brands to save a few dollars. Nordic Naturals works the best. As I write this, I'm out & waiting for my delivery. If I miss one day, I can feel it. If I use the other brands I've tried, I feel it. This should be covered by insurance but if I do lose my sight, they'll supply a cane. I'll stick with Nordic Naturals vegan

24 persons found it helpful

Description

108 Reviews

THE sustainable alternative to fish oil

Recently Reformulated Product Contains Caramel Coloring

Vegan-friendly “fish oil” recently reformulated

Avoid if Pregnant, Otherwise Taste Like Kelp, Easy to take

My husband finally found an omgea 3 supplement he can tolerate

The one for me

Best source for vegeterian DHA

Algae supplement filling the gap

With consistency….

Necessary to help with Dry Eye Syndrome