Question:
I am currently pregnant and I am really debating between fish oil capsules from you or those from MorDHA ‘especially’ for pregnant women etc. MorDHA contains at least 104mg EPA and 480mg DHA + 56mg other omega 3 fatty acids.
What do you recommend, does it make a big difference for me and my baby?
Answer:
Many companies have claimed for years that EPA was important for adults, and DHA for those who are pregnant, (young) children and babies. Based on that assumption many DHA-only and EPA-only products have been brought on the market.
However, to our knowledge there has hardly been any research (or none at all) to the various proportions of the fatty acids EPA and DHA, and no proof that EPA or DHA would be better under certain circumstances. We also do not know of any research that has shown the differences between man/woman and pregnant woman.
Though, it has become clear to us that all people have quite different metabolisms. So a perfect balance doesn’t really exist anyway. Our recommendation: take plenty of fish oil with a normal, natural EPA / DHA ratio – in case of our fish oil: take two capsules a day and you’ll always have enough EPA and DHA available. Our body knows very well which proportions it should absorb.
Besides, EPA has also important features and an oil that mainly contains DHA might not have a sufficient amount of EPA.
Additionally, there may be something else. An oil with an unnatural balance of EPA and DHA can only be obtained chemically (chemically separating the fatty acids of the glycerol molecule and later only putting the EPA or DHA back).
We are not in favor of it, we keep the fish oil in its natural state as much as possible.
Question:
Is algae oil purer than fish oil, even those of the best quality?
Answer:
Algae oil is not necessarily purer than fish oil, so that’s no reason to opt for algae oil. What could be a reason to choose algae oil is that it is not made from fish oil, which is important for vegans. However, they’re much more expensive. The cost of algae oil is usually triple than that of fish oil (or is offered as a third of the number of capsules for the same price).
Question:
I want to know what the shell of the fish oil capsule is made from. I’m allergic to pork and beef.
Answer:
The shell of the fish oil (Omega-3) capsule is made from fish gelatin. No pork or beef has been processed in the capsules! The product is completely extracted from fish, and therefore suitable for people who are allergic (like you), and for vegetarians who eat fish and for people who because of their faith seek a fish oil that is halal or kosher.
By the way, this does not apply to the glucosamine, chondroitin and Arthro-5 capsules, which are all extracted from ordinary gelatin. Besides, the capsules can easily be opened so the powder can be taken with water, yogurt or fruit juice.
Question:
Why do I have to take a whopping 6 capsules of Arthro-5 a day?! Isn’t that a little too much to take in one day?
Answer:
Arthro-5 is the most powerful joint protection product in the world (as far as we know). That’s because it contains many effective substances, as many as 5, and comes in a high dosage and its effect has been proven. That means that there is a large amount of ingredients in it; altogether about 5,800 mg of powder per daily dose. One capsule can only hold about 1,000 mg; more simply doesn’t fit in it.
That’s why 6 capsules are needed (that can all be taken at once).
Of course we would like to see fewer as well, but that would only be possible if there were bigger capsules (which would be harder to swallow), or less ingredients (less effective product). Both options are undesirable.
For those who think 6 capsules is too much there are alternatives like glucosamine (2 capsules a day).
Question:
Could you tell me whether Omega-3 from the sea is better than from seeds and nuts, in other words vegetarian?
Answer:
Plant based Omega-3 in food is generally comes in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA has no specific purpose as far as we know.
The body has yet to convert ALA to the active Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. This conversion is a difficult process. You will often see in scientific studies that supplementation with ALA usually has no effect, while animal Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are effective.
Question:
As an avid runner (70 km per week), and competitive runner, I’m coping with an injury in my big toe. It turns out that a slight stiffening has occurred in my big toe (a reduction of the cartilage), probably due to all that running. I read your website closely and I am wondering if there is a product that could benefit me. If this is the case, within what time period can I expect to see improvements. How does the product exactly help me, and does it repair the cartilage?
Answer:
Have you been diagnosed with osteoarthritis? When I read your question, it seems likely to me that it has to do with the hallux rigidus, wear of the cartilage in the toe joints (osteoarthritis) as a result of all the running. Our supplements are specifically meant for osteoarthritis.
The ingredients in the supplements are mainly tested with knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis. For the peripheral joints of the hands and feet it seems that its efficacy is a little less strong. However, many people benefit from glucosamine and/or one of the other supplements. In general, rheumatologists and orthopedics recommend to try glucosamine for about 3 months. Within that time, you can usually find out whether the product works or not. If it works, you can continue to use it.
Our experience is that you’ll notice the pain for a little while. Personally I prefer to do a 6 months trial period. Even a year if you suffer from lower back pain.
You can try to use glucosamine for the first three months (one jar). If that works well you can continue to use it. If you don’t notice any results you may try Arthro-5. Arthro-5 is our strongest supplement. The results are significantly better than glucosamine, or glucosamine in combination with chondroitin. Often enough it has a positive effect and the pain inhibition is stronger.
The main substance in Arthro-5 is an ingredient called ASU. We have seen that this ingredient sometimes makes the difference between no effect and the complete disappearance of the symptom of thumb osteoarthritis (after 6 months). If the thumb is comparable with the big toe in this regard, it would be better to try Arthro-5 right away. Or you may try a combination of glucosamine and ASU Forte and possibly chondroitin. We think glucosamine is an important foundation. It may slow the wear up to 4 times on average (seen in knee osteoarthritis). Furthermore, it improves the joint lubrication, decreases the pain (usually) and lessens inflammation (sometimes). Chondroitin is especially effective against wear (about 4 times decrease in knee osteoarthritis).
Real cartilage repair has not been officially confirmed, but we do know of real life recovery stories. Usually this involves younger people. However, the positive effect on the functionality of joints at an older age is still very well possible. Our oldest customer started using glucosamine after she was 90 years old. She was no longer able to walk the stairs because of her hip. After she’d used glucosamine it was fine again. She was still able to live in her own house until she was about 100 years old. Recently, she celebrated her 103 birthday, but does no longer walk stairs anymore now that she’s in a nursing home.
Question:
I’ve heard that eating fish oil in combination with dairy products and vegetables (such as spinach and endives) is not good for you. Is that true?
Answer:
We are not aware of any negative interaction between fish oil and dairy products or vegetables.
There are some people who claim that you shouldn’t eat certain combinations of foods because the digestive system digests them in different ways. For instance, proteins should stay longer in the stomach while carbohydrates can pass fairly quickly through the small intestine. My take is that you can eat various foods together as long as your stomach and intestines do not resist.
