Omega-3 Delivery Formats
Overview of Omega-3’s
Omega-3s play an essential role in the body. They help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, have anti-inflammatory properties, offer antiarrhythmic benefits, and provide cardiovascular support.1 In addition, Omega-3s support healthy hair, skin, and nails, and promote cognitive function. Given these benefits, many individuals choose to supplement with Omega-3s to ensure adequate intake, especially when their diet may be lacking. Omega-3 supplements typically contain long-chain fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, which are harder to obtain from food sources alone.
Delivery forms of Omega-3’s
Omega-3 supplements can come in two forms: triglycerides (TG) and ethyl esters (EE). Triglycerides deliver fatty acids bound to a glycerol backbone, which is how these fatty acids are found in whole foods like fish.2 In fish, triglycerides contain a variety of fatty acids, including omega-6, omega-9, saturated fats, and others. To concentrate the desired EPA and DHA from fish oil, a process called ethylation is used. During ethylation, EPA and DHA are isolated from the triglyceride. The isolated omega-3s can either be re-esterified back into an omega-3-rich triglyceride or remain as an ethyl ester, where the omega-3s are bound to an ethanol backbone.
Absorption of Ethyl Esters vs Triglycerides
When examining the options of omega-3 supplements, it can be confusing to know which form is best. Clinical research has shown both the triglyceride and ethyl ester forms incorporate into the cells, which is the intended purpose of omega-3 supplementation.3 Additional studies comparing the two forms have found long-term use of ethyl esters or triglycerides do not differ significantly in their absorption.4 Triglyceride forms tend to be absorbed more rapidly, whereas ethyl esters have around a 24-hour sustained absorption rate, providing longer availability of EPA and DHA.5 Interestingly, triglyceride and ethyl ester forms are both best absorbed when taken with a fatty meal or dietary fat. This has been shown to enhance the bioavailability of both forms.6,7
Conclusion
In summary, naturally occurring fish oil contains multiple types of fatty acids. Concentrating the beneficial EPA and DHA into re-esterified triglycerides or ethyl esters can provide therapeutic levels of these omega-3s. Clinical studies do not show a significant difference in their ability to replete or maintain EPA and DHA levels within the body, and either form can be utilized to support bodily systems.
- Krupa, K. N., Fritz, K., Parmar, M. (2024). Omega-3 Fatty Acids. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564314/
- Stephenson, D. J., Hoeferlin, L. A., Chalfant, C. E. (2017). Lipidomics in Translational Researh and the Clinical Significant of Lipid-Based Biomarkers. Translational Research, 189, 13-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trsl.2017.06.006
- Rupp, H., Wagner, D., Rupp, T., Schulte, L. M., Maisch, B. (2004). Risk Stratification by the “EPA+DHA Level” and the “EPA/AA Ratio” Focus on Anti-Inflammatory and Antiarrhythmogenic Effects on Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Herz, 29(7), 673-685.
- Nordoy, A., Barstad, L., Connor, W. E., Hatcher, L. (1991). Absorption of the n-3 Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids as Ethyl Esters and Triglycerides by Humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 53(5), 1185-1190.
- Chevalier, L., Vachon, A., Plourde, M. (2021). Pharmacokinetics of Supplemental Omega-3 Fatty Acids Esterified in Monoglycerides, Ethyl Esters, Triglycerides in Adults in a Randomized Crossover Trial. The Journal of Nutrition, 151(5), 1111-1118.
- Qin, Y., Nyheim, H., Haram, E. M., Moritz, J. M., Hustvedt, S. O. (2017). A Novel Self-Micro-Emulsifying Delivery System (SMEDS) Formulation Significantly Improves the Fasting Absorption of EPA and DHA from a Single Dose of an Omega-3 Ethyl Ester Concentrate. Lipids in Health and Disease, 16(204).
- Raatz, S. K., Redmon, J. B., Wimmergren, N., Donadio, J. V., Bibus, D. M. (2010). Enhanced Absorption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Emulsified Compared with Encapsulated Fish Oil. Journal of American Diet Association, 109(6), 1076-1081.
