The evidence is in. The safest way to get omega-3s in your diet is from high quality, pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements--not by consuming more fish in the diet. Due to modern pollution, contamination, and myriad environmental factors, ocean and farmed fish now come with strongly worded warnings regarding their potential toxicity.

Many health organizations are now recommending that fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel not be eaten more than once per month. Refining fish oil through a complex molecular distillation process to completely filter out impurities is the standard in Unicity's new OmegaLife-3™ supplements.

Pharmaceutical grade quality fish oil helps maintain healthy cardiovascular function by promoting healthy triglyceride levels, vascular tone, and blood pressure. OmegaLife-3™ also helps promote healthy brain function and contains orange oil for a pleasant taste. To match the amount of pure Omega-3's in OmegaLife3, you would have to eat well over a half-pound of selected fish every single day!

Now, just two mercury-free OmegaLife-3™ softgels daily deliver 800 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid) and Vitamin E (as natural d-alpha tocopheryl acetate) to assist vital organs, cardiovascular and circulatory function and other important body systems. This is a significantly greater amount of both EPA and DHA in two softgels than our previous fish oil provided with three softgels. Omega-3 fatty acids, in combination with dietary changes, have also been shown to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.*

OmegaLife-3™ is:

• Molecularly distilled to ensure exceptionally pure oil.
• Includes vitamin E to protect oil from oxidative rancidity.
• Includes orange oil to prevent fishy after-taste.
• Formulated to deliver higher levels of EPA and DHA than other fish oil products.
• Supportive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
• One serving (2 softgels) of OmegaLife-3™ provides 800 milligrams of EPA and 400 milligrams of DHA omega-3 fatty acids (see nutrition information for total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol content).*

RESEARCH BRIEF

In the mid 1970s nutritional scientists studying the diet of Eskimos discovered that despite consuming large amounts of fat, the population had a rate of cardiovascular illness far below that of countries like Australia and the US. It was established that the deep sea cold water fish, seals and whales in their diet were rich in two essential fatty acids known as EPA and DHA which protected them against blocked arteries and heart attacks. Similar evidence was gathered from Japanese people living close to the sea. Fish contains high amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Both substances are key building blocks of tissue, and both can be readily converted into "good" prostaglandins -- hormone-like compounds that reduce platelet stickiness and inflammation. EPA and DHA are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are part of the omega-3 family. We could not survive without these two nutrients as they are constituents in many cells and are particularly abundant in brain and retina tissue, nerve relay stations (synapses), adrenal glands and sex glands. They have many roles in the body with involvement in two main areas -- cardiovascular health, and brain and nervous system function.

Fish and fish oil receive increasing amounts of media attention as scientific evidence continues to provide information on their potential health benefits; the most notable being their ability to support normal heart function. In fact, the heart-health benefits of fish oil are so compelling, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that, "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease."

In addition to its profound heart-health benefits, fish oil also plays a fundamental role in the development and maintenance of brain and nervous functions such as preservation of memory and mental clarity.*

In 2002 the FDA approved supplementation of DHA in infant formula. DHA is potentially important in fetal and infant neural development, in that DHA and arachidonic acid have been shown to be incorporated into brain and retinal cell membranes-—particularly during the third trimester and early infant life. Clinical research also suggests that fish oil can help support proper brain function. Fish oil supports the eyes and helps maintain early development of vision.

Much confusion surrounds the importance, and even the significance, of the different omega oils. Omega 3, 6, and 9 oils are essential to health, but the omega-3's are difficult to obtain. Our bodies require Omega-3 fatty acids from outside sources because they are not made naturally by the body. Omega-6's are not made naturally either, but are found in so many foods (corn, soy, canola, sunflower oil, safflower, etc.) that supplementation is typically unnecessary. Omega-9's (stearic and oleic acids) are so abundant that they are found in everything from cookies to steak. This overabundance of 6's and 9's can actually cause disruptions in proper metabolic function and contribute to coronary disease. Supplementing to achieve a higher proportion of omega-3's is the most logical method of optimizing this important ratio. Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, and sardines, are primary raw sources of Unicity's OmegaLife-3.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

OmegaLife-3 was formulated to:
• Lower triglycerides by inhibiting lipogenesis and stimulating fatty acid oxidation in the liver*
• Supports regular heart beats
• Helps to maintain normal blood flow*
• Maintain a healthy blood pressure*
• Help stabilize support vitality and general feelings of well-being*
• Support the immune system
• Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease*

SCIENCE

Fish oil contains essential fatty acids known as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The two main omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have been shown to influence important biological functions.

DHA is the predominant structural fatty acid in the central nervous system and in the retina of the eyes. Thus, the availability of DHA is crucial for fetal and brain development and is also important for the maintenance of brain functions in adult life. DHA also helps to maintain brain fluidity and may help in the maintenance of cognitive functions. Some studies suggest that adequate DHA supports vision.*

EPA supports the synthesis of important compounds in the body. EPA is the precursor of thromboxane and leukotriene, compounds involved in supporting healthy circulation. They also promote healthy blood vessels.*

FAQs

Q. Do all of the fish oils get absorbed into the body's system or is there a chance that this supplement will add unnecessary fat to my diet?
A. Fish oils are healthy fats, necessary for life. They are not used in the production of adipose tissue.

Q. Who May Benefit From Supplementing with Fish Oils?
A. Anybody that needs support for a healthy heart and circulation. Pregnant and nursing mothers (speak with your doctor to see if this product is right for you before use.)

Q. I love fish and I eat it at least three times a week. Is it still necessary for me to supplement with this product?
A. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends several hundred milligrams of EPA and DHA per day. Individuals with a known risk of heart disease should take even more. The American Heart Association recommends fish oil capsules for patients with high triglycerides. One serving of OmegaLife-3™ contains 2000 mg of fish oil, containing 400mg DHA and 800mg EPA. Since (2) 1000mg gelcaps contain the omega-3 equivalent of more than a half-pound serving of fish, it makes sense to supplement daily with 'OmegaLife-3™ Fish Oil.'

Note: It is also important to note that an increased adiposity (excess body fat) may reduce the blood level of these essential fatty acids. Thus, individuals with excess body fat may need even more fish oil, regardless of other risk factors.

Q. How Can I Trust the Quality of Fish Oils?
A. The greatest concern most people have is the risk of fish oil contamination with pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and heavy metals such as mercury, lead, nickel, arsenic, and cadmium. These pollutants are genuinely hazardous to health; hence the government has set limits of their levels in foods and supplements to ensure safety of the public. At Unicity, safety is our flagship. Every fish oil batch used in our product is tested and must meet our stringent specifications.

Q. Is Unicity Fish Oil different from other fish oils on the market?
A. Yes, Unicity fish oil is better because:
• Our fish oil is molecularly distilled to ensure the highest purity oil
• While most competitors use 18/12 fish oil, Unicity uses the higher quality 40/20 oil to deliver more of the EFA in less soft gels. The higher the concentration of EPA & DHA, the more beneficial and costlier the product becomes.
• Our fish oil can be guaranteed fresh because we went the extra mile of adding vitamin E to preserve freshness and help protect the oils against oxidative rancidity
• Some people do not like the "fishy burp" associated with other fish oils, which is one reason why some people do not take fish oil
• Our fish oils are routinely tested to ensure that they are safe from pollutants
• You get more value for your money because of the higher percentage of the essential fatty acids in the oil. The higher the concentration of EPA & DHA, the more beneficial and costlier the product becomes
• Fewer capsules are required to meet increased needs meaning less pills to take

Q. I get my omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil…do I need to take fish oil?
A. Flaxseed provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is an omega-3 fatty acid that can be converted to EPA and DHA through a series of metabolic processes. However, humans have a limited capability to efficiently process this conversion. EPA and DHA from fish oil are directly incorporated into neuronal membranes to enhance their integrity and support neuronal functions. Research shows it is essential to obtain a significant percentage of our fatty acids from fish oil.

Q. Is There Any Risk Associated With Taking Fish Oils?
A. Fish oil may result in blood thinning, therefore may increase the risk of bleeding, easy bruising and nosebleeds in people who are on blood thinning medications. Fish oil should also be stopped before surgery. Speak to your doctor before use if you have a medical condition.

Q. What's the best way to get fish oil in my diet?
A. Studies have shown that many fish can contain toxins and high levels of mercury from our polluted oceans. The health risks of these toxins can outweigh the potential benefits of omega-3 fish oil. Currently, it appears that the safest way to get omega-3s in your diet is from high quality, pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplements. The highest quality brands available today refine fish oil through a complex molecular distillation process to filter out any impurities.

Q. Will this product interfere with anything else I am taking?
A. No, although other supplements (like ChitoRich) may inhibit the absorption of fatty acids.

REFERENCES

Connor, W., "Do the n-3 fatty acids from fish prevent deaths from cardiovascular disease?" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, (66):188-99, 1997.

SanGiovanni JP, Parra-Cabrera S, Colditz GA, Berkey CS, Dwyer JT. Meta-analysis of dietary essential fatty acids and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as they relate to visual resolution acuity in healthy preterm infants. Pediatrics 2000;105:1292-8.

Stoll AL, Severus WE, Freeman MP, et al. Omega 3 fatty acids in bipolar disorder: a preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56:407-412.

Koo WW. Efficacy and safety of docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid addition to infant formulas: can one buy better vision and intelligence? J Am Coll Nutr 2003;22:101-7.

Foran Melanson S, Lee Lewandrowski E, Flood JG, Lewandrowski KB. Measurement of organocholorines in commercial over-the-counter fish oil preparations: implications for dietary and therapeutic recommendations for omega 3 fatty acid and a review of the literature. Arch Path Lab Med 2005;129:74-77.

Locke CA, Stoll AL: Omega-3 fatty acids in major depression. World Rev Nutr Diet 2001, 89:173-185.

Zanarini MC, Frankenburg FR. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment of women with borderline personality disorder: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Am J Psychiatry 2003; 160: 167–69.

Dewailly E E, Blanchet C, Gingras S, Lemieux S, Sauve L, Bergeron J, Holub BJ."Relations between n-3 fatty acid status and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Quebecers." Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Nov;74(5):603-11.

Simopoulos AP, Cleland LG (eds): "omega-6/omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid Ratio: The Scientific Evidence." World Rev Nutr Diet. Basel, Karger, 2003, Vol 92.