Marine oils require processing before they become finished dietary supplements. The condition of the raw oil, the purification method and the final testing procedure can each affect the resulting product.
According to a recent press release, USANA BiOmega addresses those stages through a production process that begins with small fish and ends with testing of the completed supplement.
Sourcing From Smaller Fish
The raw material comes from wild-caught anchovies and sardines. These short-lived species occupy a relatively low position in the marine food chain and generally contain lower levels of accumulated contaminants than larger fish.
The use of whole-body oil sets BiOmega apart from products made with fish liver oil. Whole-body fish oil is selected primarily as a source of EPA and DHA, while liver oils may contain additional nutrients, including naturally occurring vitamin A. BiOmega does not contain vitamin A, giving its nutrient profile a narrower focus on marine omega-3 fatty acids and separately added vitamin D.
USANA also reports that the raw, unrefined oils used for BiOmega contain PCB levels below established guidelines for finished products. The oil still undergoes additional purification before it is used in the final formula.
Purification Through Molecular Distillation
Molecular distillation separates compounds according to differences in their boiling points. Performing the process under a vacuum lowers the amount of heat required and limits the time the oil remains exposed to elevated temperatures. This process removes heavy metals, saturated fats, trans-fatty acids and other unwanted organic compounds.
BiOmega undergoes the distillation process twice.
Repeated distillation gives the manufacturer another opportunity to refine the oil before it advances to the formulation stage. The purified oil is then concentrated to increase its EPA and DHA content.
Marine oils can be sensitive to environmental conditions during manufacturing and storage. Exposure to heat, light and oxygen can affect oil quality over time. A controlled production process helps preserve the characteristics of the ingredient as it moves from raw material to finished capsule.
Re-Esterification and Final Oil Form
Processing continues through re-esterification. During this stage, purified ethyl esters of omega-3 fatty acids are converted back into triglycerides. The finished oil therefore combines concentrated EPA and DHA levels with a triglyceride structure associated with natural fish oil.
Testing provides the final checkpoint.
USANA states that the finished BiOmega product is tested for heavy metals and other contaminants to confirm that it meets the company’s purity standards. This evaluation occurs after the oil has been sourced, distilled, concentrated and converted into its final form.
Purity cannot be evaluated through sourcing alone. Selecting smaller fish may help limit initial exposure to certain contaminants, while purification addresses material present in the raw oil. Finished-product testing then evaluates the supplement after manufacturing is complete.
BiOmega’s nutritional specifications accompany those controls. A two-capsule serving provides 1,200 milligrams of total omega-3 fatty acids, including 580 milligrams of EPA and 470 milligrams of DHA. The product also contains vitamin D and lemon oil, which helps reduce the potential for a fishy aftertaste. USANA recommends taking the capsules with food, which may further limit aftertaste concerns.
A Documented Production Chain
Fish oil manufacturing involves more than extracting oil and placing it into a softgel. Each stage introduces decisions that can influence purity, concentration and consistency.
For USANA BiOmega, those decisions form a documented production chain: small-fish sourcing, two rounds of molecular distillation, omega-3 concentration, triglyceride re-esterification and finished-product contaminant testing.
The result gives consumers a defined set of quality markers to review when assessing the supplement.
