Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much EPA do I need? A. This depends on several factors. Our current recommended intake of long-chain omega-3 is set at 450mg (which is just under half a gram and is equal to around 2 portions of fish per week). The average intake in the UK adult population is currently estimated to be 244 mg/day (half of the recommended amount), and for people who don’t eat any fish at all, intake can be as low as 46 mg daily. Taking 2 capsules daily would therefore provide the recommended amount needed for general health. For specific conditions, however, the amount of omega-3 required is generally higher. Such conditions include chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol – for these conditions we would recommend taking up to 8 capsules daily. If you are not sure how much EPA you need, visit our health sites for specific dosages.
Q. Will your products make me gain weight? A. Whilst the main ingredients in our products are oils (fat), it is doubtful that they will cause weight gain. Vegepa, Vegepa Chewables and Omegaforce all provide 9 kcal (calories) per 2 capsules whilst OmegaFlex provides 4.5 kcal per 2 capsules. More importantly, however, is that omega-3 fatty acids play a very important role in fat metabolism in the body and actually push dietary fat towards the production of energy rather than fat storage. In other words, people are more likely to lose weight by including omega-3 in their diet.
. How do your products help my blood pressure? A. The benefits of omega-3 supplementation for controlling hypertension (high blood pressure) are well established. Since the therapeutic dose required to reduce blood pressure is relatively high, we would recommend 8 capsules of Vegepa per day, which would provide just over 2g EPA.
Q. How do your products help my cholesterol levels? A. EPA inhibits an enzyme called HMG-CoA, which regulates the rate of cholesterol production in the body. As with recommendations for high blood pressure, the amount of EPA needed is relatively high; we would therefore recommend 8 capsules of Vegepa per day, providing just over 2g EPA.
Q. Can I take your products if I’m taking statins? A. Yes, in fact a combination of statins and EPA has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels more effectively than either substance individually. Statins, like EPA, inhibit an enzyme called HMG-CoA, which regulates the rate of cholesterol production in the body.
Q. Why do you remove the DHA? A. Whilst DHA provides a structural role in cell membranes, it is becoming evident that EPA may be the dominant functional fatty acid out of the two, and indeed there are many conditions that respond much better to DHA-free supplements. Removing DHA from our products simply allows a higher concentration of EPA in each capsule. If the body takes in large amounts of EPA, it can convert some to DHA, so a DHA-free supplement doesn’t mean natural DHA levels become deficient. EPA stocks need constant replenishment, whereas DHA levels remain fairly stable.
Q. Will I become DHA-deficient taking your products? A. It is very unlikely that taking a DHA-free product will negatively affect DHA status, as the body will merely increase its production of DHA from internal EPA stores
Q. Why do you include omega-6 in your products? A. We include omega-6 in our products to ensure that the high concentration of omega-3 EPA does not cause a shift in the omega-3:omega-6 ratio. Also, omega-6 GLA is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid that has been shown to work in synchronicity with EPA, enhancing the benefits of this omega-3 fatty acid.
Q. But isn’t omega-6 inflammatory? A. The omega-6 story is indeed little confusing. However, omega-3 and omega-6 are two very different families of fatty acids that compete for the same enzymes within the body. This ‘pool’ of enzymes is quite limited, and so which ever family is dominant in the diet will hog the enzymes, meaning there is little left for use by the other family. Because the omega-6 family is dominant in our diets, it can influence the production of beneficial bi-products produced by the omega-3 family. Also the omega-6 family forks out at one point and can give rise to either inflammatory products or anti-inflammatory products. However, which pathway it follows is dependant on how much omega-3 is in the diet. When omega-6 dominates, then the body tends to produce inflammatory products and very little is produced by omega-3. However, increasing omega-3 actually shuttles the omega-6 pathway down the inflammatory route and reduces the amount of inflammatory products produced by omega-6. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in our products is formulated to ensure that the body produces beneficial products from both families.
Q. Do your products contain vitamin A? A. Because vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, excess levels are stored within the body, which can result in highly toxic levels. For this reason, all vitamin A is removed from our oils during the purification process.
Q. Do your products contain vitamin D? A. Vitamin D is made in the skin from exposure to sunlight and any excess is converted to harmless by-products. Excess vitamin D intake from supplements, however, can result in raised blood calcium levels – a condition known as hypercalcaemia. For this reason all vitamin D is removed from our oils during the purification process.
Q. Your products say they thin the blood, what does this mean? A. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the ‘stickiness’ of platelets (the cells that cause blood to clot), and this is known to be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Having slightly ‘thinner’ blood increases circulation and also lowers blood pressure. Individuals taking pharmaceutical blood-thinning agents such as Warfarin or Heparin should consult their GP before taking a highly concentrated fish oil supplement.
Q. Can I buy your products in liquid form? A. No, we encapsulate all our products. When unsaturated fatty acids in liquid form are exposed to the air, they react with oxygen and can go rancid. The capsule protects the oil from this process and consequently our products do not have to be refrigerated, and have a longer shelf life than liquid oil products.
Q. Can I take your products during pregnancy? A. Whilst it is generally safe to take fish oils during pregnancy, it is advisable to consult your doctor first. A GP should be able to outline anything in your personal history that may give reason to avoiding supplementation during pregnancy. For example, pre-eclampsia, a complication of pregnancy, can result in pre-term bleeding, and this could be exacerbated by the blood-thinning effects of EPA.
Q. Can I take your products whilst I’m breastfeeding? A. Yes, there will be multiple benefits to both you and your baby, and omega-3 EPA can even help reduce the risk of post-natal depression.
Q. Why is there soy in your products? A. We include 1mg of soy derived vitamin E in each capsule of Vegepa, Vegepa Chewables, OmegaForce and OmegaFlex to protect the oil from oxidation (and turning rancid). However, during the manufacturing process, all protein materials are removed and the final product is therefore non-allergenic.
Q. My child can’t swallow capsules, so can I mix the oil from the capsule with food? A. Yes, you could do this, but we would suggest trying Vegepa Chewables, as the capsules are soft and have a pleasant orange taste. If you do wish to use Vegepa, you can soften them further in a very small amount of warmed milk. You can then burst the capsule directly in the milk and manipulate it with a spoon or finger. Add this milk/oil mix to a normal drink containing milk.
Q. Vegepa Chewables are flavoured with orange oil – are they suitable for children with ADHD? A. Salicylates are chemicals that can trigger symptoms in conditions such as ADHD and are commonly found in citrus fruit such as oranges. Whilst we use natural orange oil to mask the taste of the fish oil, we have ensured the product is free from salicylates and is therefore safe for children with ADHD. Vegepa Chewables are also free from artificial colourings and flavourings.
Q. Can diabetics take your products? A. Interestingly, people with diabetes have a reduced capacity to make long-chain fatty acids and are at a higher risk of cardiovascular and nerve problems. Supplementing with omega-3 fish oil is therefore extremely beneficial for people with diabetes, as a way of decreasing the risk of associated health problems long-term. We recommend our product Omegaforce for diabetics, which contains omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids, for cardiovascular benefits, as well as brain and eye health.
Q. What is the source of glucosamine in Omegaflex DUO? A. The Regenasure® glucosamine in our products is vegetarian, derived from the fungus Aspergillus niger. A vegetarian source of Glucosamine Hydrochloride HCL, Regenasure® glucosamine is suitable for those with shellfish allergies, and is the best source for purity.
Q. Why use glucosamine hydrochloride and not glucosamine sulphate? A. It’s suggested that glucosamine hydrochloride has approximately 85% working glucosamines compared to 65% in the sulphate versions, making it purer and more easily absorbed in the body.
Q. Can I take Vegepa with antidepressants? A. Yes, there is increasing research that implies that taking a daily fish oil supplement may boost the effectiveness of antidepressants in some people. The addition of a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids (in particular EPA) to regular antidepressant treatment has been shown to significantly improve symptoms including anxiety, sadness, decreased sexual drive and suicidal tendencies.
Q. Can Vegepa help migraines? A. There are very strong indications that EPA can help relieve migraines by reducing both their severity and recurrence. EPA is converted to anti-inflammatory products within the body, which act in the same way as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Q. How much is postage and packaging? A. Orders below £50 carry a £2.56 postage and packaging charge, and orders £50 and above are free (UK mainland only) and are sent via Royal Mail. UK mainland customers can request next day courier delivery at a cost of £5.10 for orders below £50.00, and for just £2.50 for orders above £50.00. UK mainland orders above £100 are sent via courier free of charge.
Q. When will I receive my delivery? A. If your order is placed before 3pm Monday-Friday, we will do our best to dispatch it the same day, and if sent by 1st class Royal Mail delivery, orders should be received within 1-2 working days. If sent by courier, your order should be received the next working day.
Q. If sent by courier, what happens if I’m not in? A. If you happen to miss a delivery, a card should be left with further instructions.
Q. What happens if I miss my Royal Mail delivery? A. A card should be left, and your order can be collected from you nearest post office.
Q. What happens if I don’t receive my order? A. In the rare event that this happens, it is advisable to check with your local depot before calling us.
Q. Why do you need my email address? A. An email address is not essential but is used to send a payment receipt, send you our monthly e-news and notify you of any special offers.
Q. Why do you need my telephone number? A. A contact number is needed if there are any problems concerning your order. Nb- Numbers are never passed on to third parties.
Q. Don’t you have my card details already? A. No – after every order is processed, card details are destroyed due to data protection.
