Re-Esterified Triglycerides Contain More Omega-3s

COPENHAGENOmega-3 oils that come in the re-esterified triglyceride form contain 70-percent more omega-3s than in the ethyl ester form, according to new findings published in the journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2010.06.007). Dr. Jorn Dyerberg from the University of Copenhagen and Danish co-workers demonstrated the bioavailability of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from re-esterified triglycerides was superior (124 percent) compared with natural fish oil, whereas the bioavailability from ethyl esters was inferior (73 percent).

 The study compared three concentrated preparations ethyl esters, free fatty acids and re-esterified triglycerides with placebo oil in a double-blinded design, and with fish body oil and cod liver oil in single-blinded arms. Seventy-two volunteers were given approximately 3.3 g of EPA plus DHA daily for two weeks. Increases in absolute amounts of EPA and DHA in fasting serum triglycerides, cholesterol esters and phospholipids were examined. Free fatty acid bioavailability (91 percent) did not differ significantly from natural triglycerides. The stereochemistry of fatty acid in acylglycerols did not influence the bioavailability of EPA and DHA.