Eqology fish oil and Arctic Blue fish oil; the ultimate comparison
Arctic fish oil supplements like Eqology fish oil have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the many health benefits they provide. These supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for our bodies. Omega-3 fatty acids have numerous benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving brain function, and promoting a healthy heart.
In this article we compare the 2 best fish oils from arctic origin: Eqology Pure Arctic Oil and Arctic Blue pure fish oil.
In addition to sustainability, we will look at the price, the amount of omega-3, DHA, EPA and vitamin D in both supplements, as well as any additives such as omega-9. Let's take a closer look at each of these aspects to get a full picture of the differences between Eqology fish oil and Arctic Blue fish oil.
Eqology fish oil
Benefits:
- MSC certified fishing.
- TOTOX value varies between 4 and 6.
- Addition of Omega 9
- Contains llower values than Actic Blue but still high: 1830 mg omega-3, 770 mg DHA, 650 mg EPA, and 8,3 mcg vitamin D per 10 ml.
- Strict regulations, imposed by the Norwegian government, ensure that all fish oil products meet strict safety standards. From fishing practices to testing of omega-3 levels, each batch is checked to ensure no harmful levels of contaminants such as mercury and PCBs are present.
- Eqologie states on their website that all of the fish is used for the products they manufacture. It is not entirely clear what they need the whole fish for, if you look at what products they offer in addition to fish oil. After contacting Eqology customer service, it appears that not everything is used for their products and that the fish fillet is used for consumption
Cons:
- More expensive price; €39 for 300 ml (€13 per 100 ml) with 6 months prepaid (7 bottles)
- More expensive per individual bottle: €52
- Long delivery time. As an example, if ordered on May 5, it will be shipped on May 8 with a delivery time of 2 to 4 working days
Arctic Blue fish oil:
Benefits:
- MSC certified fishing.
- Cheaper €26,95 for 250 ml (€10,78 per 100 ml).
- Contains higher values: 2040 mg omega-3, 960 mg DHA, 680 mg EPA, and 20 mcg vitamin D per 10 ml.
- Fishing in the Barents Sea, located between Novaya Zemlya, Spitsbergen and Northern Norway, one of the cleanest waters in the world far from plastic pollution
- TOTOX value 4,9
- Extremely clean due to testing for more than 200 possible chemicals.
- Fast delivery time, ordered today, shipped the same day
- No additional fishing is required because oil is made from existing fish catches for consumption
- Clarity in Toxins: Arctic Blue contains no detectable cadmium up to 50 ppb and no detectable mercury up to 10 ppb. This is 10 times lower than the Norwegian medical standard and European Pharmacopeia. The fish oil is also regularly tested to 0,5 ppt without detection of dioxins or furans. The limits according to the Norwegian medical standard and European Pharmacopeia are 2 ppt. The analyzes are carried out in international laboratories according to the WHO test methodology for toxicity equivalence. The fish oil contains no detectable PCBs up to 0,5 ppt, while the Norwegian medical standard limit for PCBs is 3 ppt.
Cons:
- No addition of extra olive oil, so no omega-9.
Nutritional value per 10 ml
Eqology Pure fish oil | Arctic Blue pure fish oil | |
---|---|---|
Omega-3 | 1830 mg | 2040 mg |
DHA | 770 mg | 960 mg |
EPA | 650 mg | 680 mg |
Vitamin D | 8,3 mcg | 20 mcg |
Omega-9 | 3270 mg (source: olive oil) | 0 mg * |
* By significantly reducing the intake of omega-6 fatty acids and significantly increasing the consumption of omega-3, the omega-9 ratio will naturally balance out. In this way, all three omega fatty acids will again have a healthy ratio to each other. Sources of omega 6 include sesame oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, palm oil, margarine/low-fat margarine and pumpkin seeds.
If you use a lot of plant-based omega 6 foods, Eqology may be a better choice. If you already use a lot of olive oil in the kitchen and your omega-6 intake is limited, Arctic Blue without adding extra olive oil is a better choice because you get more value for your money. Let's pay attention! Most olive oil in Dutch supermarkets is not of good quality. Always go for extra virgin from the 1st cold pressing.
Conclusion
It is important to get enough omega-3 fatty acids, because our body cannot produce them itself. With both Eqology fish oil and Actic Blue you have a responsible choice and it is a good way to prevent you from developing an omega-3 deficiency.
Arctic fish oil is known for its rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, which are essential for a healthy body and brain.
The choice between Eqology fish oil and Arctic Blue depends on personal preferences and values regarding sustainability, price, and nutrients.
- Eqology is more expensive
- Eqologie has a lower amount of omega-3, DHA, EPA and vitamin D.
- Arctic Blue is cheaper, extremely clean (tested for toxins) and has a higher amount of omega-3, DHA, EPA and vitamin D. So you ultimately need less of the fish oil to get the same amount of healthy substances.
2 comments
Hi Skins Unlimited,
Together with a number of fellow orthomolecular therapists, I looked at your comparison above, and we are somewhat critical of your conclusion and comparison.
The disadvantage of AB oil now seems a relatively small disadvantage, but it is precisely that omega-9 from the olive oil that makes the Eqology qualitatively better and therefore more expensive. That olive oil also ensures good absorption. It is very pure olive oil (with omega-9) from Greece, and Eqology has a patent on that specific recipe and combination of omega fatty acids. I have often seen that people used the Arctic Blue for years, then did an omega 3:6 ratio test (at an independent lab), and then it turned out that the ratio was not good after all. Then they took Eqology for six months and when retested the ratio turned out to be good. So less inflammation in the body.
TOTOX stands for 'Total Oxidation Value' and is used to assess the rancidity and quality of the oil. This value is the same for both. Both brands are also sustainable, so there is no extra fishing for them. Both are liquid, which is a must in my opinion, because pills/capsules oxidize quickly and that is often a waste of money.
So we are comparing two very good brands here – let's compare it to racing cars – but only one can win. I think that the absorption, through that specific recipe, is ultimately what you want. Eqology WITH the omega 9.
Regards,
Merel van der Velden, MSc physiotherapist, orthomolecular therapist and hormone expert.
Dear Merel,
Thank you very much for your feedback! You indicate that Eqology is a better quality product due to the addition of olive oil (omega-9). Although I understand that this can be an advantage for some people, I do not fully agree that this makes the quality better by definition. After all, the addition changes the composition of the product, but not necessarily better.
For people who already get enough omega-9 from their diet, extra supplementation is not necessary. However, I understand that people who visit an orthomolecular doctor sometimes have complaints due to unhealthy eating habits; in those cases, the addition of omega-9 can certainly be valuable.
Regarding the absorption of omega-3: adding olive oil can improve absorption somewhat, but research shows that this effect is minimal. A simple way to optimize absorption is to take omega-3 and -6 with or immediately after a meal.
Specific details about the fishing practices, such as whether the fish used comes from existing catches or whether additional fishing is done for their products, are not explicitly mentioned by Eqology. Although they state that their suppliers are MSC certified, which indicates sustainable fishing, there is still a lack of transparency about the exact origin and fishing methods of the fish. I have raised this with them before, but this has not been addressed in the online communication. Perhaps you can also raise this with them as a seller of the product, as transparency is important to customers.