Fishy Versus Fresh
By Christine Cheng, B.Sc. (Pharm.), C.N.P.A.
Q: I have a hard time swallowing pills so I wnted to try a liquid fish oil supplement, but heard that they can go rancid. Are there brands that are “fresher” than others?
A: All oil-based supplements have the potential to be oxidized and go rancid; however, fish oil supplements are particularly susceptible due to the high levels of EPA and DHA that they contain. Keeping them in the refrigerator after opening can help mantain the freshness. Most brands will include tocopherols (vitamin E), which acts as an antioxidant to slow down the oxidation process, but this is not always enough. Some brands, such as NUTRASEA® and SEALICIOUS™ include green tea extract and astaxanthin, respectively as these are much more potent antioxidants and will go further in inhibiting the oxidation of the oil. These oils will taste and smell like fresh fish…which actually shouldn’t smell fish at all.
