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Q: Does WINOmeg3complex contain flaxseed oil?
No. WINOmeg3complex does not contain any flaxseed oil. WINOmeg3complex contains a minimum of 85% omega-3 essential fatty acids derived from fish. The fish oil is distilled from very small fish that occupy the lowest level of the food chain (anchovies, sardines, herring) because they are considered to be a better choice for raw materials as they are naturally higher in omega-3 fatty acids and naturally contain lower levels of environmental contaminants than fisher higher on the food chain (like tuna, shark, marlin), as they swim in the cold Artic waters off the southern tip of South America. EPA and DHA are produced in phytoplankton. Each capsule of WINOmeg3complex contains 60% EPA and a maximum of 20% DHA. Flaxseed oil is from a plant source.

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Q: Isn’t flaxseed a good source of omega-3?
Omega-3 fatty acids fall into two categories: plant-derived (flaxseed oil yielding alpha-linolenic acid or ALA) or marine-derived (fish oil yielding both EPA and DHA). The human body converts ALA with great difficulty into EPA and DHA. The conversion rate is slow and inefficient (between one and five per cent), and can be inhibited by various conditions such as a diet high in linolenic acid (omega-6), trans fatty acids such as fast foods and baked goods, alcohol intake, certain health conditions, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies (B3, B6, C, zinc, magnesium). It is only the omega-3 EPA and DHA that have health benefits. This is not to say flaxseed oil is bad. It is just not a very good option compared to fish oil because of the very inefficient ALA to EPA and DHA conversion that takes place. Therefore, you may need to consume considerably more flaxseed oil than fish oil. Fish oil, on the other hand, is a direct source of EPA and DHA and does not have to be converted by the body to provide us with the EPA and DHA. The fish convert them for us.

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Q: What is DHA?
DHA is an omega-3 long-chain fatty acid that is the primary building block of the brain and retina. The brain is 60% fat, and DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain, comprising 25% - 35%. DHA is found in even greater concentrations, 50%-60% in the retina.

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Q: How much WINOmeg3complex should people take?
As with any supplement, you should check with your healthcare provider requiring the appropriate serving. However, for overall health,* 2 capsules per day is generally adequate.

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Q: How much EPA is in each capsule and serving size?
Each WINOmeg3complex capsule contains approximately 540 milligrams of EPA*. A recommended serving size of WINOmeg3complex contains approximately 1080 milligrams of EPA*

* EPA and DHA are natural substances, and thus content varies slightly with each batch.

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Q: What is EPA?
EPA is a member of the omega-3 fatty acid family that is found in fish oils of liver, herring, mackerel, salmon, and sardines. It is also found in breast milk. Research has taught us that a lack of EPA weakens the body’s immune system.

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Q: What does the term “pharmaceutical grade fish oil” mean?
The term “pharmaceutical grade” refers to a set of specifications that include providing at least 60% concentration of the most active long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in the oil after processing and includes quality control steps to ensure the product is free from lipid peroxides, heavy metals, environmental contaminants, and other harmful compounds. The ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to arachidonic acid (AA) must be greater than 50 to 1. It must also contain optimal amount of tocopherols as a preservative.

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Q: What is the difference between “pharmaceutical grade" and “produced under pharmaceutical grade conditions?”
“Pharmaceutical grade” is a classification of the potency and purity of the product. “Produced under pharmaceutical conditions” means that the facility where the product is produced and packaged is supervised and under the authority of a government agency that oversees companies that produce prescription medication in a sterile environment and also with drug GMPs.

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Q: Ethyl Ester (EE) vs. Triglyceride (TG) fish oils – how do they compare?
It is true that most ordinary fish oil supplements have EPA and DHA in the triglyceride form. The process of converting TGs to EEs is necessary in the production of fish oil concentrates to purify the oil. However, once this molecular distillation process is completed, there is an option to leave the fatty acids in free form, attached to an ethyl alcohol backbone, or to reattach them to a glycerol backbone (triglyceride). It is this one final step known as “re-esterification” that differentiates between WIN’s two omega supplements.

Q: But isn’t there a difference in the biological availability of EPA and DHA as triglycerides and as ethyl ester?
EPA and DHA ethyl esters have been examined in clinical studies for 15 years. In 1991, Nordoy and Connor demonstrated that the body will absorb ethyl esters as well, or even better, than EPA and DHA triglycerides (Publication in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Most studies on EPA and DHA recently have been conducted with omega-3 ethyl esters. They have proved effective. They have been approved safe.

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Q: What are the standards for fish oil?
Currently, no quality standards exist for fish oil in the United States. The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a trade organization for supplement suppliers and manufacturers, has recently developed U.S. voluntary guidelines (pdf file). Some fish oil supplement manufacturers adhere to European fish oil standards, such as the Norwegian Medicinal Standard and the European Pharmacopoeia Standard (pdf file). European standards are higher than the current voluntary and proposed standards set by the CRN. For example, while the CRN encourages dioxin levels to be measured in parts per million, Euro standards are set in parts per trillion. WINOmeg3complex is manufactured according to the stringent European Pharmacopoeia and Norwegian Medicinal Standard requirements and surpasses all international standards for freshness and purity. In addition, WINOmeg3complex meets or exceeds California Proposition 65 and the CRN voluntary monograph.

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Q: How is WINOmeg3complex tested for the percentage of omega-3?
There are two different testing methods used to analyze the fatty acid content of WINOmeg3complex: Area Percent and Weight Percent. The Area Percent method calculates EPA and DHA as a fraction of total fatty acids in the oil. This method excludes non-fatty acid components (e.g.: the glycerol backbone and unsaponifiable matter in the oil) which accounts for 5%-15% of the total. It is based on the sum of the identified fatty acids equaling 100% and was developed by the European Pharmacopoeia. The Weight Percent method, also known as mg/g, takes into account the weight of the fatty acids plus glycerol backbone and unsaponifiable matter when calculating the EPA/DHA content. The weight percent of each fatty acid is compared to the overall weight of the oil (mg/g). This method is used by regulatory agencies and consumer groups, like FDA and consumerlabs.com, to analyze the fatty acid content of the oil. Both of these testing methods guarantee truth in labeling for omega-3 ethyl esters found in WINOmeg3complex.

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Q: Are there any side effects?
There are no drug-like side effects to WINOmeg3complex. Rarely, a person may have some temporary GI distress taking WINOmeg3complex, but this can be minimized by taking WINOmeg3complex with food, or by dividing the serving.  WIN has never received a report of a serious adverse event from our omega-3 supplement.

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Q: WINOmeg3complex Ingredients:

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Q: Is WINOmeg3complex a natural product?
WINOmeg3complex is a safe, natural, highly purified form of omega-3 essential nutrients in marine fish oil. The only adaptation which takes place is the conversion of triglycerides into ethyl esters.  This is an environmentally-friendly procedure which assures the quality of multiple unsaturated fatty acids such as EPA and DHA.

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Q: Who needs a high quality EPA supplement?
WINOmeg3complex is an ideal supplement for those who need a maximum amount of EPA. WINOmeg3complex contains three times more EPA than the average fish oil supplement that is on the market today.†

† Compared to Health Food Grade fish oils such as TwinLab® Omega-3 Fish Oil, which only contains 390 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per serving vs. WINOmeg3complex™ which contains 1400 mg per serving.

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Q: What is the suggested serving?
For optimal absorption, it is best to take WINOmeg3complex capsules with a full meal. It is also recommended that you take antioxidants daily. For the best results, it is advisable that you decrease your consumption of omega-6 containing seed oils such as corn oil, sunflower oil, or safflower oil and decrease your saturated and trans fatty acids found in processed and fast foods (including cereals, baked foods, fried, foods, margarine, and others). (Canola oil and olive oil are recommended cooking oils.)

To determine the amount of WINOmeg3complex that works best for you, gradually increase the number of capsules up to 6 capsules per day, or as directed by your healthcare provider. You may take all the capsules with one meal or split them up with meals. It is important to take WINOmeg3complex on a regular daily basis. Individuals vary in their time to achieve a response. Some people feel significantly better after several days, although most individuals take several weeks to a month to experience the health benefits* from WINOmeg3complex.

All matters of health should be supervised by a health care professional. If you are on medications, you should check with your doctor before starting any dietary supplement.

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Q: Is omega-3 recommended by any health authorities?
The United States Department of Health and Nutritional Services, the National Institute of Health the American Heart Association, the American Dietetic Association, the Life Sciences Research Offices of the Federation of Societies of Experimental Biology and the Council for Responsible Nutrition have all agreed that the daily intake of omega-3 should be increased. The World Health Organization recommends that all adults increase their intake of omega-3.

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Q: What if I can’t swallow a capsule?
WINOmeg3complex is manufactured as a soft gel cap. However, if you have difficulty swallowing oils/gel caps, piercing the gel cap with a sterilized pin and squeezing the oil into a liquid (juice, smoothie, etc) or pudding is fine. This will not compromise the effectiveness of WINOmeg3complex.

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Q: Can I take WINOmeg3complex if I am allergic to fish?
Most fish allergies would not be activated by taking WINOmeg3complex since almost everything is removed except for the omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for everyone.* However, since we do not have information on what you are specifically allergic to, it is best to check with your healthcare provider before taking any new medicine or supplements.

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Q: Do I need to check with my doctor?
WINOmeg3complex is a safe highly purified source of omega-3 essential nutrients in marine fish oil. In all matters of heath, it is always important to check with your physician before starting a new program.

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Q: I heard that fish oil and EPA can cause bleeding, is this true?
Aspirin (or Motrin, Advil, and the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) reduce the stickiness of blood platelets, which are necessary for blood clotting. While Omeg3complex has been shown to reduce platelet stickiness, there are no established causes of excessive bleeding during omega-3 fatty acid treatment. However, if you have a bleeding disorder, or if you are receiving Rx anticoagulants, such as Coumadin (warfarin), check with your healthcare provider for using WINOmeg3complex.

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Q: Is it true that antioxidants help omega-3 work better?
Antioxidants, such as Vitamins E and C, may prevent omega-3 fatty acid oxidation in the body. This prevents the formation of so-called lipid peroxides, which are highly reactive and possibly damaging. This could possible help maintain higher levels of omega-3s. These vitamins are harmless, and appear to have their own health benefits*, when used as directed.

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Q: Why are fish so contaminated?
Sadly, eating most fresh fish, whether from the ocean, lakes and streams, or farm-raised is no longer recommended. The problem with fish is that nearly all fish are contaminated with mercury. Over half the US burns coal to generate electricity, and over 80,000 lbs of mercury is dumped into the oceans every year. However, even if you choose salmon, tuna or swordfish, they often have unhealthy levels of chemicals such as dioxins, PCBs, pesticides, and dangerous amounts of metals such as mercury.

People used to think farmed fish were safe (95% of salmon purchased in US is farm-raised), but it turns out they have as much or more mercury and PCBs as wild fish. For salmon, the increased mercury and chemicals occur because the salmon are carnivorous and are fed pellets containing mercury from wild fish. Eating fish in low doses is OK—one or two meals a week is enough not to raise your mercury levels much. For nursing mothers and children, it may be best to avoid fish altogether. Some fish have little or no contamination. Little fish, like mackerel, sardines, and herring, do not live a long time and are non-predatory, are cleaner and contain less or no contaminants. Large predatory fish, like tuna, tend to be the most contaminated.

According to studies conducted by an independent laboratory, AXYS Analytical Services, Ltd of Sidney, B.C., results concluded fish oil capsules contain only a fraction of the PCBs found in fresh farmed fish. The results stated that a person would need to consume 312 fish oil capsules to be exposed to the amount of PCBs found in a single serving of farmed salmon. Even the cleanest serving of farmed fish had as much PCB as 63 fish oil capsules!

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Q: Is there research on omega-3?
There has been a considerable amount of research on the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in WINOmeg3complex. As of 2003, more than 20,000 scientific articles and reports have been published on the various effects of omega-3, and the story goes on. Much of today’s research revolves around the value of marine omega-3 fatty acids in the relation to the physical, mental, and intellectual development of premature infants*, though WIN makes no such claims.

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Q: WINOmeg3complex and medications.
WINOmeg3complex can be taken with most medications. However, each individual is unique and it is important that you speak to your health care provider regarding any food supplement when you are on medications. By FDA law, we are unable to provide medical advice regarding the use of WINOmeg3complex. All questions regarding use of WINOmeg3complex and medical health problems should be discussed with your health care provider.

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Q: What is the shelf life of WINOmeg3complex?
WINOmeg3complex contains a protective dose of mixed tocophenols (antioxidants) that keep the omega-3 fatty acids in a biologically active state and limits the risk of peroxidation. This gives WINOmeg3complex a shelf life of 2 years, when kept in a dry place at a temperature between 15 and 25 C. Note: exposure of the product to light and high temperatures reduces its shelf life and may damage the soft gel capsules.

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Q: Why is WINOmeg3complex better than cod liver oil?
WINOmeg3complex contains a minimum of 85% omega-3 fatty acids, with a high concentration of EPA for its maximum natural anti-inflammatory benefit.* Cod liver oil has the least amount of omega-3 fatty acids (20%-24%) with little or no EPA and DHA (biological forms of omega-3 fatty acids used by the body), the highest levels of contaminants (heavy metals like mercury and lead, PCBs, DDT, flame retardants); in addition to the fact that higher doses of cod liver oil are not recommended in higher doses due to high levels of Vitamin A found in this form.

Q: Can I take more, or what if I need more?
If you do not see results in two to three weeks gradually increase your amount. If you have further questions, you may check with your health provider.

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Q: Is there any cholesterol in WINOmeg3complex?
There is no cholesterol in WINOmeg3complex.

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Q: I’ve heard that a lot of fish oil supplements have so much saturated fat that it outweighs the benefit of taking omega-3. How much saturated fat is in WINOmeg3complex?
Yes, that’s correct. Ordinary fish oil supplements often contain as much as much as 40% saturated fat. But one serving of WINOmeg3complex (2 soft gel capsules) contains less than 1g saturated fat, making it one of the purest products on the market.

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Q: What should I look for when purchasing fish oil?

1. Manufacturing: Investigate the manufacturing process. How is the fish oil manufactured and what are the manufacturing standards?
   
   
2. Smell: Does the fish oil smell fishy? If it smells fishy, the fish oil has most likely been exposed to oxygen and is becoming rancid.
   
   
3. Taste: Does the fish oil taste fishy? The freshest fish oils should not taste fishy.
   
   
4. Desirable characteristics of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement are: highest concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, highest concentration of EPA per capsule, high ratio of EPA to DHA, low omega-6 fatty acid and saturated fat concentration, pharmaceutical grade purity, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), color and smell of oil, molecular distillation, winterization, manufactured and encapsulated under nitrogen, peroxide value less than 5 at time of manufacture, source of the fish oil (including the type of fish used and location of catch), low cholesterol concentration, no cod liver oil, and presence of tocopherols (Vitamin E) in the encapsulated oil as antioxidants.

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Q: Unique strengths of WINOmeg3complex in a nutshell.
Choosing an omega-3 supplement can be very confusing. There are many products to choose from – with different features, quality, and prices. A high quality pharmaceutical grade omega-3 supplement should have the characteristics listed below.

WINOmeg3complex is a omega-3 fatty acid supplement that has them all:

1. Pharmaceutical grade: WINOmeg3complex is manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). WIN’s supplier has been certified by the Norwegian Medicines Agency for the production of pharmaceutical substances.
   
   
2. Exceptional Raw Materials: WINOmeg3complex is manufactured exclusively from fish (anchovies, herring, and sardines) harvested from the cold Arctic waters off the western coast of South America. These non-predatory short-lived fish are naturally high in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
   
   
3. Exceptional Purity: The purification process that gives WINOmeg3complex its exceptionally high concentration (>85%) of omega-3 ethyl esters also eliminates all the pollutants currently found in fish, whether farmed or wild. Quantities of heavy metals (such as iron, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and copper) and other pollutants (such as DDE, DDT and HCB) are certified to below detectable levels. In particular, WINOmeg3complex oils show no detectable PCB’s when tested down to 10ppt, or more than twenty times the standard set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)(2000ug/kg), and more than ten times lower than the WHO standard. Similarly, the dioxin levels are below 2 picograms(pg) teq/g, in line with European regulations.
   
   
4. Exceptional Freshness: Freshness, which ensures product quality and biological efficacy, may be the single most important quality of fish oil. WINOmeg3complex is manufactured in a nitrogen environment and is continually exposed to nitrogen throughout the entire process to prevent the oxidation that occurs when omega-3 oil is exposed to oxygen in the air. WINOmeg3complex’s manufacturing process delivers peroxide values (indicators of freshness) down to absolute 0.0mEq/kq, with an average of 1.6mEq/kq or approximately six times below the Norwegian Medical Standard and the European Pharmacopoeia Standard limits. The lower the peroxide value, the fresher the oil.
   
   
5. Exceptional Quality: When we talk about quality in WINOmeg3complex, we do not limit ourselves to the product itself. For us, quality starts with a spotless product and ends when we have a satisfied consumer. We pride ourselves on the fact that our quality is consistent with respect to important parameters such as purity, oxidation, color, taste and smell – the same high quality every time! Having a fully fledged pharmaceutically licensed supplier produce, test, document and evaluate WINOmeg3complex, rubs off and lifts the bar for quality omega-3 supplements in the marketplace.
   
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Q: Do you have any reading material you might suggest about the benefits of adding omega-3s to my diet or my children’s diet?

• The omega-3 Diet; The Lifesaving Nutritional Program Based on the Diet of the Island of Crete; by Artemis P. Simopoulos, M.D., and Jo Robinson
  
  
• How To Get Kids To Eat Great & Love It!; Giving Your Children the Gift of health with Good Nutrition and Supplementation Now and Long into the New Millennium; by Christine Wood, M.D.
  
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