In This Article
Not All Fish Oils Are Created Equal
As a result of overwhelming evidence that fish oils support healthy triglyceride levels, essential for heart health,1,2 many pharmaceutical companies have jumped into the fish oil market.
Consumer Lab compared over-the-counter (OTC) fish oil supplements with pharmaceutical-grade fish oils, and reported the same dose is available in higher quality fish oils at a fraction of the cost in over-the-counter options.4,5 However, with both options, while the capsule may contain a high concentration of EPA and DHA omega-3 fish oils, the question is whether those fish oils are being absorbed. In other words, are you getting the omega-3 dose printed on the label into your blood, brain, and heart?

Ethyl Ester vs Triglyceride Fish Oil
One perk of some pharmaceutical grade fish oils is that they are proven to be highly absorbable, which cannot be said for all OTC fish oils in America. There are two basic types of fish oil sold today, ethyl ester and triglyceride. Most fish oils on the market are the ethyl ester form, which studies find inferior to the triglyceride form. In one study, triglyceride fish oil absorbed 76% better than the more common ethyl ester form.5
Many high concentration OTC fish oils on the market use the ethyl ester form, with significantly compromised absorption. Studies suggest to source the triglyceride form when purchasing fish oils for best absorption.5
A well-known pharmaceutical fish oil uses a modified ethyl ester (icosapent ethyl) form, which is also highly absorbable—but costly. Other pharmaceutical-grade fish oils use concentrated ethyl ester forms that have been found inferior.6
Why Consider LifeSpa Mini Omega 3X
Mini Omega 3X™ features a highly researched, patented delivery system for EPA and DHA fish oils that increases absorption rates by a whopping 300%. This delivery system allows for less capsules and smaller, easy-to-swallow softgels, with no fish taste.
The patented delivery system starts with the higher absorbing triglyceride form and breaks it down into the monoglyceride form, which does not require further digestion. Monoglyceride oils are intrinsically emulsifiers and are, by nature, in a readily absorbable form. Monoglycerides bypass the body’s normal fat digestion process in the liver and pancreas.7
This is important because one of the main reasons folks do not get the benefits from taking fish oils is that their liver, gall bladder function has been compromised after years of consuming processed foods and processed fats. A good rule of thumb s that if you have trouble eating a challenge food like greasy or fried food, then you are not likely absorbing most fish oils efficiently.
Studies show LifeSpa’s Mini Omega 3X fish oil softgels deliver EPA and DHA at three times (300%) the absorption rate of other leading fish oil brands.7,9
For DHA absorption, researchers find the patented delivery system in Mini Omega 3X has a three times (3x) higher peak concentration (6% versus 2%), a 3x+ higher saturation potential (10% versus 3%), and a 3x higher absorption rate compared to leading brands. This research demonstrates superior bioavailability and presumably better exposure of cells to DHA.7,9
Studies also demonstrate that after 24 hours, Mini Omega 3X maintains 2-3x higher blood levels of EPA and DHA than ethyl ester fish oils which are the most commonly sold forms. This means, given a daily dose, circulating EPA and DHA levels can be expected to ramp up over time and remain high, with steadily increasing exposure of cells to EPA and DHA.
LifeSpa’s Mini Omega 3X Dosing
One small (mini) softgel has 300mg EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 130mg DHA (docosahexaenic acid), for a total of 430 mg Total omega-3 fatty acids. and its absorption rate can be three times that of other leading pharmaceuticals. The research suggest that you would have to take 1290 mg of an OTC fish oil to absorb the 430 mg of omega-3’s in one Mini Omega 3X capsule.
Note: If you have been prescribed a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, please check with your primary care provider before discontinuing use.
I was told that the fish are harvested in Scandinavia. Could you please tell me if it’s farm raised fish or precisely where the fish come from. Thanks
Hi Thomas,
The fish oil is non-GMO, wild-caught, certified sustainable from Scandinavia, and antibiotic-free.
Additionally, it is eco-friendly because the greater absorption of EPA and DHA ultimately means that fewer grams of fish oil need to be harvested for the same benefit.
Best,
LifeSpa Staff
Would fish oil need to be avoided if working to heal the gut due to irritation for the gut lining?
Hi Betsy,
Ethyl ester forms of fish oil (most common) could be challenging to digest because if bile flow is compromised, as undigested fats can enter the small intestine and irritate.
That is one of the reasons why the Mini Omega is so great–it bypasses the liver and gallbladder as it is delivered in the monoglyceride form.
Be Well,
Dr. John
Thank you! I have a lot to work on. My digestive system is a main concern.