Leading the Industry with Superior Multi-Patented Process No harmful chemicals or excessive heat Extraction With the goal of minimizing heat and preserving the natural constituents of our oils to the highest degree possible, Nordic Naturals insists on an oxygen-free, nitrogen-rich processing environment starting with step one— extraction. This ensures that our oils remain fully protected from the oxidation that causes the fishy smell and taste found in inferior supplements. Purification Fish oils are gently purified of heavy metals (including mercury), PCBs, and other contaminants through the process of molecular distillation. This step is essential in order to deliver our exceptionally pure, fresh, and effective omega oils. Molecular distillation uses very low heat to remove undesirable organic compounds while preserving the key beneficial components of the oil. For all of Nordic Naturals non-concentrates, this is the final manufacturing step. The oils are then sent, in their natural concentrations, simply purified, to our bottling and encapsulation facility. Esterification For concentrated products, fish oil must be converted from natural triglycerides to ethyl esters. During this process, the glycerol backbone of these long-chain fatty acids is removed. Concentration Utilizing single-step molecular distillation that avoids unnecessarily reheating and transporting the oil, we concentrate oils in order to yield higher percentages of the most beneficial omega-3s, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Re-esterification To ensure optimal absorption, after concentration, our purified oils are carefully returned to the triglyceride form—the only form in which they exist in fish. By re-esterifying our oil in phases, we are able to deliver 90+% triglycerides—far beyond those of other brands. Only natural enzymes are used to form triglycerides in our concentrated products, with no chemicals such as hexane acetone, and no use of excessive heat. Few other brands take this extra step, preferring instead to market their products as ethyl esters. Superior Absorption Triglyceride vs. Ethyl Ester The vast majority of all fish oil concentrates on the market are in the ethyl ester (EE) form, a new-to-nature fat with only about 30 years in the human diet. All of Nordic Naturals concentrates are in the superior triglyceride (rTG) form. In a blind, placebo-controlled study involving seventy-two people between the ages of 21 and 56, the rTG form was absorbed 70% better than the ethyl ester form.1 In fish, the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA naturally occur in the triglyceride form. To make a concentrated fish oil, a manufacturer must remove the EPA and DHA fatty acids from their triglyceride structure before they undergo processing to increase the concentration of EPA and DHA. Once the desired concentration of EPA and DHA is achieved, a manufacturer must choose from two distinct options. The first is to reattach the EPA and DHA fatty acids in order to recreate the triglyceride structure via re-esterification. The second, far less costly option, is to leave the fatty acids in the ethyl ester form. Many fish oil manufacturers choose this option, but Nordic Naturals never has. While there is not yet a scientific consensus on the TG vs. EE issue, it has been established that distinct differences exist in how the body utilizes these different forms. As science continues to confirm that the triglyceride form is vital for the body’s proper utilization of omega-3s, Nordic Naturals continues to research, educate, and lead by example on this important discovery. 1. Dyerberg J, et al. Bioavailability of marine n-3 fatty acid formulations. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2010 Sep;83(3):137–141. 2
