The omega-3 oil used in all our products comes from wild cod captured off the north-west coast of Norway, following the strict sustainable fishing regulations of the Norwegian government. After the fish are harvested, the cod livers are individually inspected before going on to squeezing. The oil is then purified in small batches with limited exposure to air and light, ensuring the lowest oxidation levels in the industry.
In the omega-3 world, an oil’s peroxide value (PV) indicates its freshness level. The lower the value, the better. Scientists have suggested different values for the maximum acceptable peroxide number. According to some sources, a fresh food product should have a PV below 1 meq/kg. Some researchers have also suggested that fish oils should always have a PV below 2 meq/kg.
The oil we use in all our products, from Omega Cure to Omega Cookie, has an average PV of 0.1 meq/kg. That score is especially impressive when you consider that the average PV level of omega-3 supplements tested in a 2015 Canadian study was 8 meq/kg (or 800 times more oxidized)!
You can see our oil’s average peroxide number (and other scores) here. However, we also go a step further by providing you with the peroxide and anisidine values of each batch of Omega Cure we send your way, as well as the date your oil was bottled. Please look for the green sticker on your Omega Cure bottle or box of your Omega Cure Extra Strength vials to check the freshness level and bottling date.
Also, it’s important to note that all oils – be they cod liver oil or flaxseed oil or olive oil – will oxidize with time and exposure to oxygen. The same goes for Omega Cure. That’s why it’s important to not just look at the peroxide and anisidine values of your current bottle, but always assess the oil with your nose and tastebuds. Remember: A truly fresh omega-3 oil has no fishy taste or smell.
When it comes to omega-3, freshness equals potency. Not only does a fresh oil taste better and make it more likely you’ll commit to taking an effective dose every day – but fresh oil provides superior health benefits compared to old, oxidized oil.
To learn more about this topic, we recommend reading these in-depth pieces, “Why Is Getting a Fresh Fish Oil So Important?” and “Making Sense of Fish Oil Oxidation Values.”
Compared to other omega-3 oils on the market, our oil is the only one that has not been fragmented – a process where parts of the good fats and nutrient co-factors are skimmed away to create a visually clear liquid. As a result, our oil is completely full-spectrum, providing a fuller range of omega-3s and nutrient co-factors.
To learn more about what full-spectrum oil is and why it matters to consumers, read here.
The purity of our oil is a topic near and dear to our hearts. Each batch of our Omega3 Innovations oil is purified twice, ensuring it is rid of all PCBs, mercury, and pesticides. Furthermore, the oil meets all government and industry standards for contaminants – including the strict requirements of the Norwegian government, which actively promotes cod liver oil to pregnant women and infants.
Cod liver oil has a long history and reputation for safety and delivering positive medical effects. Already in the 1700s, physicians were prescribing cod liver oil to patients with joint pains and rickets. Since the discovery of omega-3 in the 1970s, thousands of research studies have substantiated its positive health claims.
Beyond it’s rich history, cod liver oil has an excellent nutritional and fatty acid profile. Cod liver oil contains only half the amount of saturated fats compared to regular fish oils. In addition, cod liver oil contains vitamin A and D. You can learn more about how cod liver oil compares to regular fish oils, salmon oil, and krill oil here.
