Calamari Oil Omega 3

Calamari omega 3 is the newest omega 3 supplement on the market. Traditionally, omega 3 supplements have been obtained from flaxseeds, fish liver oil, fish oil, krill oil and algae oil. Calamari omega 3 supplements are obtained from the calamari – also known as squid. The squid is a relative of the octopus and is a popular food in the Mediterranean and in Asian countries.

From a nutritional point of view, the main advantage of calamari oil compared to other omega 3 supplements is the fact that it is the most concentrated source of DHA. There are three main types of omega 3: ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The most potent is DHA, followed by EPA, followed by ALA. Terrestrial food sources such as flaxseed contain ALA while marine sources such as fish oils contain EPA and DHA. However fish oils typically contain more EPA than DHA. On the other hand, calamari oil is richer in DHA than EPA.

Another advantage of calamari omega 3 is that calamari have a short life cycle (about 450 days) and therefore they are not likely to accumulate toxins in their bodies. On the other hand, some fish live for several years and will be more prone to accumulate contaminants such as mercury, PCB and toxins.

Yet another advantage of calamari omega 3 is that they are more environmentally friendly than a number of fish oils. This is because they are a very sustainable source (they have been certified as sustainable by Friend of The Sea), their fishing produces virtually no by-catch and it does not damage the ocean floor.

As calamari omega 3 supplements are new on the market, there aren’t that many different brands available, although we expect to see more jump on the ‘calamari oil’ bandwagon soon. So far, I’ve only tried Carlson’s one and I choose Carlson simply because they are an established company with regards to omega 3 supplements and whenever their supplements were tested for purity, they were always found to be of high quality. Their calamari oil supplement is called CalaOmega, and is sourced from Norwegian calamari. Omega 3, DHA and EPA content per capsule are 500mg, 360mg and 140mg respectively.

If you want a cheaper alternatively, I’d suggest Applied Nutrition’s Nordic Calamari High Potency Omega-3 (although I haven’t tried it myself). Their supplement contains exactly the same amounts of Omega 3, DHA and EPA per capsule as Carlson’s CalaOmega but at a cheaper price.

Why should you supplement with omega 3s? It is recognized that modern diets are too low in omega 3 relative to omega 6. Taking omega 3 supplements can help to improve this ratio. In fact, higher omega 3 intakes have been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic conditions, such a cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. Omega 3s are essential for proper brain development and they exert strong anti-inflammatory actions. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis report that omega 3 supplements provide symptomatic relief and improved mobility.

You should always consult your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you are taking other medicines. Pregnant and lactating mothers should not take any supplements, unless specifically advised to do so by a doctor. Always stick to the recommended dose on the manufacturer’s label.