Raena Morgan: We’re speaking with Bjorn Rene. He’s been involved with development
and research of omega 3s for almost 30 years, right?
Bjorn Rene: That’s correct, yes.
Raena Morgan: Could you tell us some of the benefits of supplementing with omega 3s?
What should we be looking for?
Bjorn Rene: You mean the quality of the omega 3 or the potency?
Raena Morgan: Both.
Bjorn Rene: Well, the omega 3 in the different potency. We have the cod liver oil
which contains 20 to 25 percent of EPA and DHA, the 2 long chain acids.
Then we have so-called concentrates, with 30 percent omega 3, called
1812. And we have the higher potency which contains 50 to 60 percent
omega 3.
Raena Morgan: Alright.
Bjorn Rene: Of course, you can choose. Fats give calories, so the higher potency you
take, the less calorie you have to take.
Raena Morgan: What would some of the benefits be from supplementing with omega 3s?
Bjorn Rene: The benefit is, if you can’t eat enough fish, the only way to take EPA,
DHA found in marine sources is to take supplements. That’s give you all
the good effects which we know from the omega 3, it’s good for the heart,
it’s good for the mood, it’s good for the joints and it’s good for the brain.
All this, we have a lot of research out there, you can justify why you need
to take some omega 3.
Raena Morgan: What should we be looking for?
Bjorn Rene: First of all, I would look at the, if you have a reliable supplier of omega 3.
And as a consumer, it’s very tough to judge the quality. You need to know
that it’s low in contaminants. And you need to know that it’s been handled
very carefully, so it’s not oxidized during the process. And I think one of
the best things you, as a consumer, can do is to take, in a liquid form, you
can [take a taste], and if it tastes good, you know, [make sure] it’s been
pured and been treated in a very good way. If you take capsules, just by
the capsules, if it tastes good, you know that as well. I think your analysis
of being active by just doing this and give you a very good sense of good
quality oil.
Raena Morgan: So, taste is a factor that can tell you a lot.
Bjorn Rene: It can tell you a lot about quality.
Raena Morgan: What would be some of the detriments of not getting enough omega 3s?
Bjorn Rene: Well, I just mentioned all the good effects by taking omega 3s and we see
that a nutritionist around the world recommend a higher intake of omega
3s to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and we also see that—
especially during pregnancy and things—you see that omega 3 is really
important—both for the fetus and the mother. You can improve your
overall well-being by taking omega 3.
Raena Morgan: Well, thank you, Bjorn.
Bjorn Rene: Thank you.
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