The Remarkable Health Benefits of rTG Omega-3 Fish Oil
Written by Dr Michael Lange on September 6, 2023
What You Need to Know
In recent times, Omega-3 has emerged as a prominent nutritional trend, with ads promoting its health advantages appearing everywhere. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to recognize that not all sources of Omega-3 are equivalent when evaluating a supplement. To make an informed choice, you must delve into its source, form, and potency.
Dr. Michael Lange, a certified optometric physician and a certified nutrition specialist known for founding The Lange Eye Institute in The Villages, Florida, as well as hosting the popular syndicated talk show “Ask the Dr.,” suggests a specific type of omega-3 supplement. His recommendation is to opt for an omega-3 product sourced from Norway, available in either the TG or rTG form, and containing a total of 1600 to 2400 mg of EPA and DHA combined, distributed across two gel capsules. Dr Lange feels to this day the Norwegians are making the purest, most concentrated, best tasting and most bio-available rTG omega 3 fish oils. Norway is to omega 3 fish oil what the Bordeaux region of France is to wine. Dr. Lange asserts that these levels represent the purest and most readily absorbable forms currently endorsed by medical and nutritional experts.
He stresses that determining the ideal omega-3 dosage involves various factors, such as one’s diet, weight, medication usage, lipid and inflammatory status, overall health condition, and more. Therefore, Dr. Lange always advises individuals to consult with their healthcare provider for personalized guidance in this regard.
When it comes to obtaining omega-3 fatty acids, you can choose from both plant and marine sources. Nevertheless, marine sources are widely regarded as superior for acquiring these crucial essential fatty acids. Plant-based sources of omega-3 include chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp, and walnuts. These sources deliver omega-3 in the form of Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is known for its relatively inefficient conversion into the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Only women of child bearing age have the ability to convert small amounts of plant based ALA to any form of omega 3. Everyone else has a difficult time gaining any omega 3 benefits from the majority of plant based sources.
Conversely, marine sources provide omega-3 in the direct and readily usable forms of EPA and DHA, making them a more efficient way to obtain these essential fatty acids. Omega-3 can be obtained from a variety of marine species, including krill, fish, mussels, and squid, with most research on omega-3 primarily centered around fish oils. Cold-water fish like sardines, anchovies, salmon, herring, and mackerel are widely acknowledged as the top dietary sources of omega-3.
In the last twenty years, Omega-3 fish oil supplements have enjoyed a surge in popularity, largely due to their extensively documented health advantages. Typically, nutrition experts advise incorporating fish into your diet around 2-3 times per week. Nevertheless, surpassing this frequency is discouraged, primarily due to the risk of accumulating toxins in specific types of fish.
Among the choices available, Wild Alaskan Salmon and Sardines shine as two of the safest options, delivering some of the highest omega-3 levels. The consensus among most nutrition experts and physicians is that the most effective way to acquire these essential fatty acids is by consuming high-quality omega-3 fish oil in either the concentrated triglyceride (TG) form or re-esterified triglyceride form (rTG). Currently most omega 3 purchased is a cheaper form called ethyl ester (ee) omega 3. The EE omega 3 is much less expensive to make, unstable and inefficient since it must pass through the liver to cleave off the ethanol back bone and replace a triglyceride backbone so it can absorb. They cheaper ee omega 3 is also notorious for having a nasty burp back when consumed. This could be do to the ethanol causing some gastric distress in the gut lining or the ee omega 3 potentially starting to go bad or rancid since it is very unstable. There may be a variety of other factors that maybe causing this.
Dr Lange did omega 3 studies at the Lange Eye Institute and compared the results of patients taking the ee form omega 3 vs rTG form omega 3 and concluded the rTG omega 3 absorbed quicker and was able to get patients omega index levels over 9% in a two week period. This was a testament to the potential benefits obtained by taking a high quality omega 3 fish oil. Fortifeye Super Omega was the rTG form omega 3 used in these omega index studies at 2 per day dosing.
But, is there solid evidence to back the health benefits of omega-3? Certainly, there exists a substantial body of research, comprising over 25,000 clinical studies, that substantiates the myriad health advantages of omega-3. These studies cover a wide range of specific health applications where the appropriate form of omega-3 may offer valuable support.
These studies consistently demonstrate that omega-3 can offer essential nutritional support to various critical bodily systems, encompassing the lungs, heart, eyes, brain, skin, and joints. Moreover, numerous investigations confirm that omega-3 also contributes to improving athletic performance and facilitating post-training recovery.
It’s noteworthy that the standard American diet (SAD) typically features low levels of omega-3 and an abundance of pro-inflammatory omega-6. According to evidence-based scientific findings, boosting your body’s omega-3 levels is strongly recommended as it is linked to a favorable impact on overall health. Dr Lange developed a wellness diet called the “Lange Survival Diet” that he recommends to his patients and talk show listeners and viewers. The Lange Survival Diet is an anti inflammatory diet that has a list of specific safe foods you can eat. Specific fish high in omega 3 are part of this longevity diet.
Blood testing for the Omega Index has uncovered a noteworthy connection between heightened omega-3 levels in the blood and enhanced health. An Omega Index score of 8% or more is linked to a reduction in adverse cardiovascular incidents. Conversely, the average American usually displays an Omega Index ranging from 2% to 4%.
For many people, striving to attain and sustain an Omega Index above 8% by incorporating high-quality fish into their weekly diet can prove to be a formidable task. In view of this, opting for a natural approach by incorporating a top-tier omega-3 supplement in the triglyceride (TG) or re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) form, sourced from Norway, containing omega-3 levels between 1600 to 2400mg in two gel capsules, can present a viable solution to harness the favorable health effects of omega-3.
Abundant and persuasive evidence now substantiates the health benefits linked to omega-3. The consensus among experts is that maintaining an omega index exceeding 8% is a sign of heart-healthy well-being. The prevailing agreement among nutrition specialists is to either include three servings of high-quality cold-water fish in one’s weekly diet or choose a premium TG or rTG omega-3 fish oil sourced from Norway, containing omega-3 levels between 1600-2400mg in two gel capsules.
Individuals who are overweight, athletes, diabetics, have elevated triglyceride or cholesterol levels, or suffer from autoimmune and collagen vascular diseases may find higher levels of omega-3 especially advantageous. As always, it is prudent to consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding supplements.
The overall health benefits of omega-3 have been the subject of investigation for an extended period. However, recent research has shed light on omega-3’s potential positive effects on eye health. Ongoing studies are producing promising results, indicating that when administered in the appropriate form and dosage, omega-3 may provide advantages for various eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, uveitis, iritis, and glaucoma.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists are progressively adopting this relatively recent scientific understanding of the potential positive impact of omega-3 on their patients’ health.
Dr. Michael Lange, at the helm of The Lange Eye Institute, has been actively engaged in researching and formulating omega-3 supplements since the early 1990s. Over the years, he has observed the profound transformations that dietary adjustments and omega-3 supplementation can achieve. Discontented with the inferior quality and insufficient omega-3 content found in over-the-counter fish oil products for his patients, Dr. Lange embarked on a comprehensive journey of research and omega-index testing.
As a result of his endeavors, he developed Fortifeye Super Omega, an omega-3 supplement produced in Norway. It delivers 1600 mg of re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) omega-3 in two gel capsules, with 900 EPA and 600 DHA in the same dosage. Omega-index studies conducted at the Lange Eye Institute yielded impressive results: within just two weeks of taking Fortifeye Super Omega at a rate of two capsules per day, all individuals weighing less than 250 lbs achieved omega-index levels ranging from 9.2% to 11%.
In 2019, Dr. Lange and Fortifeye Vitamins introduced Fortifeye Super Omega 3 Max, providing a total of 2400 mg of omega-3 in two gel capsules. This particular supplement was tailored for individuals who may require higher doses of premium re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) omega-3 fish oil.
Notably, in August 2023, Fortifeye Vitamins unveiled a 180-count version of their popular Fortifeye Super Omega, priced at just $68. Dr. Lange and Fortifeye Vitamins share a common mission: to create top-notch omega-3 supplements that blend exceptional quality with affordability, giving rise to Fortifeye Super Omega and Fortifeye Super Omega 3 Max. It’s hardly surprising that doctors nationwide are now endorsing Fortifeye Vitamins’ omega-3 supplements.
Omega-3 presents a plethora of health benefits, and a growing body of research consistently reinforces the tangible advantages that can be derived from incorporating high-quality fish into your diet or utilizing premium TG or rTG omega-3 fish oil supplements. Our bodies possess intricate designs, and when supplied with the appropriate fuel, they can function at optimal levels. Think of TG-form omega-3 or rTG omega-3 as the high-octane race fuel for your body.
