MAG-O3™ Revolutionizes the Omega-3
Supplements Market
Developed and extensively studied by Dr. Samuel Fortin, patented MAG-O3™ monoglyceride omega-3 rich fish oil concentrates optimize the absorption EPA, DHA, Vitamin K2 and CoQ10 and offer unique health benefits. Discover the next generation of Omega-3 technology and products!
Omega-3s are a class of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) that have been extensively studied and shown to offer a wide range of health benefits. There are three different types of omega-3 fatty acids:
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Both of which are found primarily in cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, shellfish, and herring.
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
Found in plant sources, including flaxseed, walnuts, chia, hemp, soybeans, and vegetable oils.
Our consumption of EFAs directly contributes to our omega-3 Index – i.e. a biomarker measure of the EPA and DHA concentration in our red blood cells, which is quantifiable and modifiable. An individual’s omega-3 index is a strong predictor of their overall health, longevity, and disease risk factors. As a benchmark, an Omega-3 Index of 8%-12% has been associated with improved heart and brain health. Just as importantly, recent research has shown that those with a high Omega-3 Index are less likely to die prematurely. Unfortunately, statistics tell us that on average, Canadians have an Omega-3 Index of roughly 4.5%, with 97.4% having an Index below 8%, and 43% being at increased risk for a range of diseases.
While the ALA we consume can be converted into EPA and then to DHA in the body, this conversion is very limited for most (less than 15%), which is why consuming EPA and DHA via diet and/or supplementation is the only feasible way to tangibly increase our omega-3 status, and protect our overall health across the lifespan. The above explains the sharp rise in the popularity of EPA and DHA omega-3 supplements in recent years. Unfortunately, however, not all omega-3 supplements are created equal.
Common Problems with Omega-3
Supplements
Omega-3 supplements have been extensively studied and demonstrated to increase blood concentrations of EPA and DHA, so can directly improve our Omega-3 Index. However, most supplements on the market today are offered in Triglyceride (TG), Re-esterified Triglyceride (rTG) or Ethyl Ester (EE) forms, both of which limit their absorption, as well as can cause a range of uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms. Indeed, one of the biggest problems with TG and EE forms of omega-3 supplements is that they must go through complex emulsification and bioconversion processes – i.e. they must first be incorporated into our digestive system and then broken down into smaller components in the digestive tract to be absorbed into mucosal cells, and used by the body.
The revolutionary monoacylglycerol (MAG-O3™) form of omega-3 resolves these issues by using enzymes that mimic the human digestive tract, so, essentially cuts out the middleman, and providing self-emulsified omega-3 fatty acids that are ready for absorption, without causing any potential GI side effects. Studies evaluating the pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) of different forms of omega-3 fatty acid supplements have identified MAG-O3™ as hands down the most effective on every level: best absorbed, best systemic distribution, best 24-hour retention in tissues, best at improving the overall Omega-3 Index and associated health benefits.
The MAG-O3 Discovery
We owe the discovery of MAG-O3™ to Dr. Samuel Fortin, who, upon completion of his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at the Université de Sherbrooke, joined the Marine Biotechnology Research Center in Rimouski as Principal Scientist. In this capacity, Dr. Fortin's first research program was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and involved investigating the fisheries' by-product market in an attempt to identify molecules that could potentially kill cancer cells and/or reduce inflammation.
The program’s strategy involved performing a solvent extraction of each fish by-product to isolate active nutrients and measure their concentration and biological activity. One of the first extracts to show biological activity was a mackerel by-product which turned out to be impossible to solubilize in high concentrations due to its high triglyceride content.
Dr. Fortin then proceeded to try to hydrolyze fatty acids to form fatty acid salts to increase the water solubility of the extract. The surprising result of this experiment was active omega-3 fatty acid monoglycerides (EPA, DPA, and DHA). This discovery was the birth of three revolutionary monoglycerides – MAG-EPA, MAG-DPA, and MAG-DHA – or MAG-O3™, which are not only easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized into bioactive metabolites, but also offer far superior oral bioavailability than popular re-esterified triglycerides (rTG) and ethyl esters (EE). MAG-O3™ also results in up to 3 times higher plasma concentrations of EPA+DHA.
It’s also worth mentioning that because MAG-EPA, MAG-DPA, and MAG-DHA are self-emulsified and pre-digested, they readily access the digestive system and bypass the bioconversion process, so are ideal for anyone suffering from digestive issues and/or impaired lipid absorption associated with a variety of health conditions.
MAG-O3® – Patented Canadian Technology,
developed in Quebec
Omega-3 fatty acids are involved in a wide range of functions throughout the body, and copious research has shown that they offer unique and impressive health benefits including:
- Age-related Macular Degeneration
- Antioxidant Protection
- Brain & Cognition (including ADHD, and learning)
- Cardioprotective Effects (reduces triglycerides, blood pressure, risk of heart attack)
- Eye Health (reduces risk of macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome)
- Gut Health (improves bacterial diversity in the gut/promotes better overall health)
- Longevity/Healthy Aging/Increased life expectancy
- Neuroprotection/Prevents Neurodegeneration
- Inflammation Modulation/Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
While the above therapeutic benefits have long been established regardless of the form of the EPA and DHA used, the novel monoacylglyceride forms of omega-3s (MAG-EPA, MAG-DHA, and MAG-DPA) discovered and studied by Dr. Samuel Fortin have completely revolutionized omega-3 supplementation by displaying benefits far beyond those already elucidated by science. Indeed MAG-O3™ EFAs have been shown effective in a range of complex disorders including chronic airway inflammatory diseases, pulmonary hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as lung and colorectal adenocarcinoma, potentially paving the way to new therapeutic approaches to a range of health conditions and diseases down the road. It was also shown to be an effective delivery system, optimizing (or enhancing) the absorption of EPA and DHA and other liposoluble nutrients like Vitamin K2 and CoQ10.
MAG-O3® (MAG-EPA, MAG-DHA, and MAG-DPA) is Friend of the Sea certified, attesting to its adherence to the strictest sustainable fishing practices, and the promotion of environmental conservation. MAG-O3™ has also been awarded a 5-Star IFOS rating for purity, quality, and concentration consistently since its development — the highest possible rating for fish oil. IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards) is an independent Canadian company that tests fish oils. IFOS fish oils are ultra high-grade fish oils that have been tested to meet the highest standards of purity and quality. For more information on enhanced bioavailability MAG-O3™.