There are two types of fish oils currently sold in the market, namely the triglyceride-based fish oil and the fatty acid ethyl ester fish oil. Discussions about the efficacy and safety of both types of fish oils are rife, and for good reason. As it turns out, triglyceride-based fish oil delivers far superior health benefits that its ethyl ester counterpart.
Read further and discover more about the benefits of triglyceride-based fish oil and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends you include this source of dietary fats to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.
Triglyceride-Based Fish Oil Benefits:
The fundamental difference between the triglyceride-based and the ethyl ester fish oils is their chemical makeup. Triglyceride-based fish oil is the basest form and therefore the most natural. Ethyl ester fish oil, in the meantime, goes through an additional process of chemical distillation so as to change the molecular structure to allow for more eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per fish oil capsule.
EPA and DHA are omega-3 essential fatty acids that have been found to improve overall wellness. EPA and DHA help maintain cardiovascular health, prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and subsequently ischemic stroke, guard against oxidative stress and inflammation, guarantee proper formation of a developing fetus’ brain, and ensure mental acuity in the elderly.
As is the case with practically all types of food, natural is certainly better. Because triglyceride-based fish oil is in its untouched form, then its EPA and DHA content are the most bio-available as well. In fact, a German study confirmed that fish oils as triglycerides are more potent and steady supplementation show far more increase in the omega-3 fatty index in the body than when consumed in the ethyl esters form.
Triglyceride-based fish oil is far superior in terms of quality as well. As it turns out, it doesn’t turn rancid as quickly as compared to the ethyl ester fish oil. This then means that it can be kept longer without worrying about it going stale. Bear in mind that rancidity indicates oxidation and when ingested, may result in physical maladies like inflammation, gastrointestinal distress, nausea and vomiting.
Triglyceride-Based Fish Oil’s Practical Uses:
Since the market is inundated with fish oil products and brands, it is crucial to know how to choose triglyceride-based fish oil. First and foremost, make sure to ask for the manufacturer’s certificate of analysis or COA. This signifies that the maker voluntarily had its product tested by a certified and reputable third party testing organization for fish oil products.
With a COA, you can rest assured knowing that the maker followed strict standards in the production of the fish oil. This means that the raw material was sourced responsibly and that it is devoid of toxic heavy metals like methylmercury and other dangerous contaminants like polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, and that the final product is stable as well as guaranteed to indeed contain the EPA and DHA in amounts that are claimed in the label.
Secondly, scrutinize the product that you have obtained. It should have that pleasant characteristic smell of the ocean and should not reek like a rotten fish. Steer clear of triglyceride-based fish oil products that have a strong lemony scent as this typically indicates that the manufacturer is trying to mask the product’s unpleasant smell. Also, the taste should be that of fresh edible oil instead of sour- and rancid-tasting oil.
In the next post, I’ll tell you the benefits of pure cod liver oil and why you should eat it to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.
In the meantime, if you care to jump ahead, here is a complete listing of the dietary sources of fats on the Superhuman Food Pyramid:
Eat:
- Coconut Oil
- Coconut Meat
- Olive Oil
- Macadamia Nut Oil
- Avocados
- Olives
- Organic Grass-Fed Butter
- Organic Yogurt (Full-Fat)
- Ghee
- Free Range Eggs (With Yolk)
- Grass-Fed Beef, Bison, or Buffalo or Lamb
- Sardines, Anchovies or Haddock in Water or Olive Oil
- Wild Salmon, Trout, Tilapia, Flounder
- Triglyceride-Based Fish Oil
- Pure Cod Liver Oil
Moderate:
- Raw Nuts (Except Peanuts)
- Raw Seeds
- Almond Butter
- Palm Oil
- Cold Press Flax Oil
- Bacon
- Mayonnaise
- Organic Peanut Butter
- Coconut Ice Cream
- Dark Chocolate
Avoid:
- Roasted Nuts
- Roasted Seeds
- Regular Peanut Butter
- Regular Butter
- Non-Organic Meats
- Margarine
- Any ‘Spreadable’ Condiments
- Farmed Fish
- Commercial Salad Dressings
- Safflower Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Canola Oil
- Cottonseed Oil
- Commercial Flax Oil
- Soy Ice Cream
- Regular Ice Cream
- Milk Chocolate
If you have questions, comments or feedback about the benefits of triglyceride-based fish oil, the Superhuman Food Pyramid, this website, or other aspects of Becoming Superhuman, then leave your thoughts below, as well as any tips you have on the benefits of triglyceride-based fish oil.
Author Bio: Ben Greenfield
His credentials include:
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology
Personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN)
Advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta, the “Harvard” of bicycle fitting schools
Over 10 years experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports
Ben hosts the highly popular fitness, nutrition and wellness website at http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com, which features blogs, podcasts, and product reviews from Ben. He is a frequent contributor to Triathlete magazine and LAVA magazine, Endurance Planet (http://www.enduranceplanet.com), the outdoor sports magazine OutThere Monthly and has been featured in WebMD, the Spokesman-Review, Inlander magazine, In-Health magazine, Fit-Pro magazine, PTontheNet, Prevention magazine, Women’s Running magazine, and Inside Triathlon magazine.
As a public speaker on fitness, nutrition, and training, Ben hosts one of the top ranked fitness podcasts in iTunes, the Get-Fit Guy (http://www.GetFitGuy.com), and has been a keynote lecturer at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships Medical Conference, the Coeur D’ Alene Ironman Medical Conference, USAT Art & Science of Coaching Symposium, Can-Fit-Pro Conference, Pilgrim’s Wellness Center Education Series, Fleet Feet Sports Endurance Sports Clinic and REI Nutrition Clinic. He sits on the board of directors for Tri-Fusion triathlon team, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is the official coach for the YoungTri. As a triathlon coach and competitor, Ben competes at Ironman and Half-Ironman World Championships, holds a ranking as of USAT’s top ranked age grouper triathletes, and competes in 15-20 triathlons each year, both nationally and internationally.
