Your Prenatal's and Multivitamin's Best Pal: Fish Oil

You know the adage: Good things take time.

And to adhere to our own strict, sky-high production standards, the FullWell team and I had to test our patience. Creating our new, premium fish oils took time, research, expertise, hard work, dedication, and, as always, an unwavering commitment to transparency and doing things right. The men’s and women’s fish oils each took a full two years to get right and rivals the prenatal in terms of challenges along the way. To say the team is excited to share these fantastic products with you is a colossal understatement.

But before we get to all of the details on FullWell’s Fish Oil, let’s back up and look at why it’s such an essential staple in your routine in the first place.

What is fish oil?

Fish oil comes from fatty fish and is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s play a BIG role in fertility and overall health for both men and women and serve a critical function during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and male reproductive health

Read on to find out:

• How omega-3s are composed, how they function, and why they are so important
• Why you and your partner need them if you’re trying to conceive 
• What they do to support a healthy pregnancy
• What they do to provide protective and restorative effects on sperm and overall male reproductive health
• Ways they can continue to boost your body postpartum and in everyday life
• Where to get omega-3s if you don’t eat fish or have a fish allergy 
• Why FullWell’s men’s and women’s fish oils range holds the ideal ratios of sustainably sourced omega-3s

What are omega-3s?

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential, meaning our bodies need them, yet we cannot create them efficiently (or, in many cases, at all) on our own. That leaves us with the task of consuming them through diet and supplements.  

The “three” part of the name refers to how many carbons rest between the methyl end of the fatty acid chain and the first carbon-carbon double bond. (If you prefer to leave your AP chem days in the past, don’t worry, you’re not alone. That’s why we lay the information out the way we do! Accessibility matters when it comes to our health. Coincidentally, though, three acids make up this group:

1. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)
2. Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
3. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)

ALA is easily found in plants and oils. Western diets usually contain ALA-rich foods, like walnuts, chia, hemp, flax, soybeans, canola oils, and leafy vegetables. ALA deficiency is rare. Harder to secure, however, are those coveted DHA and EPAs, most commonly found in fish and seafood. 

While your body can technically convert tiny amounts of ALA into EPA (and then, in turn, into DHA), the process is far from efficient since ALA is mainly utilized in creating energy (1). Medical professionals widely recognize getting EPA and DHA from foods and dietary supplements as the most practical way to increase levels of these omega-3 fatty acids in your body (2).*  

This is especially true if fertility is on your mind!

EPA and DHA: a perfect match (in the correct ratio, of course)

Omega-3s are essential reinforcing components of the structural membranes surrounding every cell in your body. As with many of the greatest teams, EPA and DHA each have their specialty and are found naturally, coexisting and working together in real-time. This dynamic duo does plenty of fantastic complimentary work on their own. Still, they are also essential to have around if you want to utilize any of the fat-soluble vitamins you need, like vitamins A, D, E, and K (3). Additionally, research supports combining these fatty acids for optimal everyday health and function, optimizing male and female fertility, healthy pregnancy and healthy pregnancy outcomes, and even postpartum.*

However, it’s important to note that the ratio of these omega-3s is essential. In my extensive experience in my private practice and exhaustive research, I formulated our men’s and women’s fish oils differently to support the needs of both sexes individually. 

FullWell’s Men’s and Women’s Fish Oil has a roughly 2:1 DHA to EPA ratio in a natural triglyceride form for superior absorption and tolerance. This is because research has shown that this ratio supports:  

• A healthy liver (which, if you remember, is your body’s natural detoxifier and therefore extremely important for fertility) (4)
• Higher levels of superoxide dismutase, ​​an antioxidant enzyme that scavenges for free radicals in your body and converts them to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, preventing them from causing any excessive damage (4)

A careful review also informed our ratio of:

1) Omega-3 intake and male fertility studies

2) Factors impeding omega-3 synthesis and absorption 

3) Clinical evidence demonstrating that higher doses of omega-3s result in higher omega-3 levels (5) (6) 

How does Fish Oil support health & fertility?

Preconception

At face value, omega-3s from food provide calories to give your body energy and serve many functions in your heart, blood vessels, lungs, immune system, and endocrine system (your network of hormone-producing glands) (2).* These fats help to maintain a regular and healthy heartbeat, promote the normal structure and activity of your blood vessels, and promote healthy arterial blood flow. They also help to maintain normal levels of fats in the blood, which we know supports fertility in both men and women (1).*

When it comes to preconception timing, ideally, you begin building your omega-3 stores before trying to conceive. That’s pre-preconception! Research shows that 80% of U.S. women of childbearing age have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids for various reasons. Diet, genetics, and chronic illnesses can all factor in (7). Because women will eventually be the primary source of EPA and DHA for baby, getting enough before, during, and after pregnancy is essential. EPA and DHA promote a happy and healthy pregnancy.*

Moreover, western diets have led to a shift in the balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids due to several factors, such as increased grain and vegetable oil intake, particularly soybean oil, which is rich in omega-6 fatty acids. This imbalance plays a crucial role in the risk of chronic inflammation in the body (8). The decrease in omega-3s also directly affects men's fertility and sperm quality, highlighting the importance of increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids (9), particularly during the preconception period, to provide protective and restorative effects on sperm. 

The best part (read: life simplifying!) about FullWell’s Fish Oil supplement, in particular, is that we have formulated it so that you can easily take it along with your women’s prenatal or men’s multivitamin without any negative impacts on nutrient absorption. If you prefer to take it separately, that is also an option. Because our fish oil is flavorless, odorless, and easy to tolerate on an empty stomach, you can take it with or without food. Discuss timing and personal protocol with your healthcare provider for an individualized recommendation for your needs and lifestyle.

Pregnancy

Like many nutrients, moms’ needs for omega-3 fatty acids become higher in pregnancy than in other periods of life because they need more to reroute toward their developing baby. Studies show that consuming omega-3s during pregnancy can help promote a healthy pregnancy and encourage a healthy birth weight (7). 

Many studies supporting DHA in pregnancy and lactation are related to baby’s brain and early visual development.* To reinforce the need for this dream team, newer research shows that EPA is needed to help DHA pass through the placenta to baby to support their development and promote growth by improving placental blood flow.* Cool, right?

Postpartum & Breastfeeding

For breastfeeding moms, your nutrient needs for omega-3 fatty acids are still high for you and your baby.* Studies show that higher levels of DHA in breast milk are easily absorbed by babies and raise their DHA levels.* Optimal amounts of DHA and EPA mean that you have what you need for your health and recovery during the postpartum period and that baby is getting everything they need to grow!* 

Additionally, whether or not you are breastfeeding, studies support that omega-3s benefit immune and inflammatory responses, metabolism, skin, hair, nervous system, joints, eyes, and brain health.* Perhaps most importantly, they offer much-needed mood support for moms in the postpartum period, helping to support a stable mood and overall mental health (7), which, as we know, can affect the entire family.* FullWell Fish Oil is a definite value add to your postpartum recovery kit for both mom and dad.

What about men? 

For dads, omega-3 fatty acids not only provide protective and restorative effects on sperm, but they help to improve sperm parameters like sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility.* They also support antioxidants in the fluid portion of the sperm (semial plasma), which sperm depend upon for protection (10). Omega-3’s comprise much of the sperm cell membrane, improving its fluidity and flexibility, which helps it penetrate the egg (11) (12) (13).  These are all crucial factors regarding dad’s role in conception! 

I’m [vegan, vegetarian, allergic to fish and seafood, etc]. What do I do?!

Don’t worry! We’ve got you. When it comes to dietary preferences, restrictions, and allergies, there are always ways to work with them. 

Let’s talk about how.

Re: Sourcing & Ethics

While our fish oil is not vegan or vegetarian, it's ethically sourced from wild-caught anchovies and sardines. It is Friend of the Sea Certified with Project World Sustainability Organization. Our sleek, compact gel capsules are made from bovine-derived gelatin.

While vegan essential fatty acid products are available on the market, I need more confidence in their sourcing, integrity, and the ability to sustainably source and create a quality vegan product that fits the bill. I formulated our supplements with natural, bioavailable fish oil from a trusted and highly vetted source. 

I always recommend getting your nutrients through food, so for our FullWell customers who choose not to consume animal products, consult your healthcare practitioner about your options and be proactive about getting omega-3s from plant-based foods.

Re: Allergens

FullWell Fish Oil is free of soy, corn, nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, rice, sweeteners, artificial colors or flavors. Still, um, obviously, it’s not free of fish 😛 If you have a fish or seafood allergy, we recommend speaking with your healthcare provider before taking FullWell Fish Oil. Overall, it should not be taken by those with a seafood allergy. Similarly, you’ll need to consult your physician if you are allergic to iodine or take blood thinner medications before use. Together, you’ll be able to explore alternative solutions that work for you!

Re: Safety 

As you’re likely aware, our products surpass the strictest international standards for purity and freshness. Made in Canada, FullWell third-party tests each batch of natural fish oil through a reputable, certified lab to ensure that mercury, other heavy metals, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are below detectable levels. We also run a full panel of oxidation markers to ensure the fish oil is fresh and far exceeds industry standards. We apply this absolute non-negotiable standard to every batch to ensure quality and safety. We’ve thrown entire runs out before and’ll do it again if things aren't right. Your and your family's health is our number one priority, period.