The Growing Popularity and Benefits of Fish Oil
Fish oil supplements have exploded in popularity over the last few decades. According to market research, sales exceeded $1 billion in 2012 in the US alone [1]. What accounts for this growing interest in fish oils?
It all started with research on Greenland Eskimos showing lower rates of heart disease despite their high-fat diet. The difference? Much higher intakes of omega-3 fats from seafood [2]. Since then, numerous studies have uncovered a range of health benefits linked to these important fatty acids found abundantly in fish oil:
Heart Health
Multiple studies show that fish oil may support heart health in various ways:
- Increasing HDL "good" cholesterol [3]
- Lowering triglycerides [4]
- Reducing blood pressure [5]
- Improving blood vessel function [6]
Brain Function
Fish oil provides omega-3 DHA – a key building block for brain and eye tissue. Research links higher intakes of DHA to better memory, learning, focus and possibly slower cognitive decline [7].
Eye Health
The high concentration of DHA also benefits eye health. Studies show fewer cases of macular degeneration and dry eyes with higher omega-3 consumption from fish/fish oil [8].
Joints and Inflammation
The EPA and DHA in fish oil boast potent anti-inflammatory effects that appear useful for inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis [9].
With wide-ranging benefits for some of the most prevalent health conditions, it‘s easy to understand why fish oil is so popular. But are all supplements equal when it comes to safety, purity, freshness and actual omega-3 content?
What Makes Care/of Fish Oil Special?
Care/of is part of a new wave of supplement brands taking personalization to the next level. I‘ll analyze how their fish oil stacks up on key factors:
Personalized Packets
Care/of fish oil comes in neat daily packets with your name printed right on them – a small touch adding to the personalized experience. The company even offers an app to track intake and customize orders.
Quality & Testing
The oil is extracted from wild Alaskan salmon – one of the best omega-3 sources. Care/of also claims triple testing for purity, but provides no details on actual contaminant testing or manufacturing standards followed. This raises some questions around quality control.
Independent certifications from organizations like the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) are important for ensuring safety and purity benchmarks are met [10].
Ingredients
The main ingredient is salmon oil providing 600mg combined EPA/DHA omega-3s per serving (2 softgels). This aligns with minimum expert recommendations for general health [11]. Therapeutic dosages used in clinical studies showing heart benefits are often higher, in the 1-4 gram range [12].
On the additive side, the gelatin softgel contains glycerin and vitamin E. Glycerin assists absorption while natural vitamin E preserves freshness.
Sustainability
Care/of states their salmon oil comes from sustainable Alaskan fisheries. But some experts argue wild fish stocks simply cannot meet rising demands for long [13]. Alternative omega-3 sources like algal oil present exciting sustainability opportunities which I‘ll discuss shortly.
So how exactly does this fish oil supplement work? What are the specific benefits you might expect? Let‘s find out.
Understanding Omega-3s: Different Forms & Their Roles
Before diving into the benefits, it helps to understand the different types of omega-3 fats:
1. ALA
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in plant sources like flaxseed, chia seeds and walnuts. Our bodies can convert ALA into active EPA and DHA forms, but at very low efficiency [14].
2. EPA
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the key omega-3 associated with heart health. It also has strong anti-inflammatory activity helping conditions like arthritis.
3. DHA
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) makes up a whopping 97% of the omega-3s in our brain and eyes [15]. It‘s absolutely vital for proper development and maintenance of these tissues.
So EPA and DHA are the "stars of the show" when it comes to fish oil benefits. How do Care/of‘s levels stack up?
Each 2 softgel serving provides 180mg EPA and 220mg DHA. This gives an EPA:DHA ratio of 0.8 – right in the ideal range of 1:1 to 2:1 [16]. When levels are balanced, DHA can piggyback on EPA‘s superior absorption to optimize uptake.
But what do these numbers mean for potential health perks? Let‘s explore the key benefits you might expect from Care/of‘s recipe…
Benefits of Care/of Fish Oil
Heart Health
The 180mg EPA + 220mg DHA per serving meets general recommendations for heart health maintenance. Therapeutic doses used in studies demonstrating cardiovascular benefits are often higher at 1-4 grams daily [17].
So while Care/of‘s levels support overall wellness, those with heart disease looking for protective effects may want to discuss optimal therapeutic dosages with their doctor.
An omega-3 intake exceeding 2000mg daily may also be needed to impact blood pressure significantly [18]. Care/of supplies about half this amount. So effects in this area appear unlikely.
On the plus side, triglyceride reduction seems possible. Studies show as little as 500mg – 1 gram of combined EPA/DHA can decrease high triglycerides by 25-30% [19].
Brain Health & Cognitive Function
The 220mg DHA should help maintain brain cell membrane fluidity and signaling. Some (but not all) studies link around 200mg daily to better memory, focus, processing speed and mood in both healthy and cognitively impaired adults [20].
So while beneficial for general brain upkeep, those concerned with Alzheimer‘s prevention or treatment may need higher intakes nearing 900-1800mg DHA according to recent research [21].
Eye Health
Again, the high DHA content is a win for eye tissue nourishment. Studies demonstrate significant drops in dry eye symptoms at 500-1000mg EPA/DHA daily [22]. Care/of supplies about half this amount. So some relief is plausible, but outcomes may be better at higher doses.
Joint Health & Inflammation
The combo EPA/DHA in Care/of fish oil may ease joint discomfort by inhibiting inflammatory compounds. However, most studies use substantially higher quantities around 3000mg daily [23].
So while some benefit is possible, reducing arthritis symptoms would likely require a therapeutic-grade fish or algal oil with more potent EPA/DHA levels.
Now that we‘ve covered the benefits, let‘s shift gears to discuss sustainability issues surrounding fish oil…
The Sustainability Crisis & The Rise of Algal Oil
Rising demand has led to overfishing, threatening certain species along with entire marine ecosystems. Fish also accumulate environmental toxins making safety a concern [24].
Algal oil derived from microalgae presents an exciting alternative. These single-cell organisms actually produce the EPA/DHA that fish obtain by consuming them!
Algal oils match the omega-3 dosage and nutritional value of fish oil equivalents. They‘re also free of contaminants and the safest option for those avoiding fish or animal products [25].
Early generation options suffered from a fishy taste and odor. But new purification methods now produce algal oil identical to high quality fish oil in all aspects. And exciting research shows marine algae is the most abundant, renewable and sustainable source of EPA/DHA available [26].
So while Care/of utilizes responsible fishery practices for now, algal omega-3 is the future of fish oil supplementation from both a nutrition and environmental perspective.
Next up, let‘s peek behind the curtain to reveal exactly what goes inside Care/of‘s omega-3 supplement…
Care/of Fish Oil Ingredients & Supplement Facts
Here is the ingredient list for Care/of fish oil:
Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Natural Mixed Tocopherols
As mentioned, the Salmon oil supplies 180mg EPA and 220mg DHA omega-3s per 2 softgel serving.
This works out to about 33% EPA and 40% DHA – close to our ideal ratio. There‘s also 2 grams of total fish oil (containing other good fatty acids) in each serving.
The gelatin shell, glycerin, and vitamin E all play minor but useful roles:
-
Gelatin provides the soft, easy to swallow capsule form
-
Glycerin enhances absorption of the fatty acids
-
Vitamin E preserves freshness as an antioxidant
One downside is the gelatin makes this a non-vegan product. An algal oil would be the better choice for plant-based consumers.
Now let‘s talk about potential side effects…
Care/of Fish Oil Side Effects & Safety
Fish oil side effects are rare at Care/of‘s modest dosage, but can include:
-
Fishy aftertaste: Taking with meals helps minimize taste issues
-
Digestive upset: Fatty acids may cause nausea, heartburn or stomach pain in sensitive people
Concerns around contaminants like mercury are also negligible – since these accumulate in fish flesh rather than the oil [27].
That said, those taking blood thinners or diabetic medications should consult their physician before using. Omega-3s can very slightly thin blood and impact glucose control at high doses [28].
Independent testing would offer more assurance around purity and correct labeling. But Care/of claims rigorous triple testing with no safety concerns flagged to date. For most healthy adults, this fish oil appears safe based on current third party literature.
Speaking of reviews, let‘s see what actual customers have to say about the product…
Care/of Customer Reviews & Ratings
Care/of reviews on their website are overwhelmingly positive, with 96% of ratings 4 or 5 stars. Happy customers praise the personalized approach, supplement quality, and health improvements noticed when using the products.
However, most reviews reflect the overall subscription experience rather than the Fish Oil itself. Here are some excerpts related specifically to the effects users are noticing:
"These supplements have really seemed to help me…More energetic and more well-rounded."
"My skin looks brighter and less inflammation when I take the fish oils."
"The fish oil has improved my cholesterol numbers."
So it appears at least some customers are observing benefits – likely thanks to omega-3‘s anti-inflammatory and heart health upkeep effects.
Virtually all negative reviews simply complained shipping takes too long or orders were messed up – not issues with the actual Fish Oil supplement.
Care/of Fish Oil Cost: Price & Discount Details
Care/of Fish Oil normally costs $16 for a 30-day supply (60 softgels). Taking the standard dose of 2 daily, this works out to $0.53 per serving.
Given the quality ingredients and EPA/DHA levels, I feel this pricing is very reasonable compared to equivalent alternatives.
Care/of also offers several ways to save:
- 25% Off Your First Month
- $25 Off $50+ Orders
- Reward Points = $ Off Future Purchases
- Occasional Flash Sales Around Holidays
And free shipping kicks in for orders over $30.
Where to Buy Care/of Fish Oil?
As a personalized subscription brand, Care/of products are only available on their website for now. And the company currently ships to the US and Canada exclusively.
Simply take their short quiz to receive supplement recommendations tailored to your needs and health goals. Their app also lets you fully customize and track your orders.
The Verdict: Is Care/of Fish Oil Worth Buying?
Care/of clearly offers a uniquely personalized approach showing savvy innovation. Their Fish Oil checks the boxes on critical factors like quality ingredients, transparent EPA/DHA levels, plus very reasonable pricing.
Heart and brain health support seem likely given the ample omega-3 content. And side effects are uncommon given the moderate dosage.
Downsides are a lack of third party purity testing and the sustainability issues around fish oil in general. Those seeking a vegan source of EPA/DHA or targeting specific conditions may want to consider algal oil instead. Although pricing remains higher for now.
Overall, Care/of Fish Oil presents an excellent option in their lineup catering to health-focused consumers seeking customization and quality.
