Are your fish oil pills actually working?
Determination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid contents and the oxidation level of fish oil supplements from Bahrain market
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Only 7.1% of supplements exceeded anisidine values, despite 57.1% exceeding peroxide values.
People assume rancid oil means advanced spoilage, but this shows oxidation is mostly in early stages—meaning products are degrading quickly but not yet rotten, making it harder for consumers to detect.
Practical Takeaways
Look for third-party certified brands (like IFOS, USP, or NSF) that test for potency and oxidation—avoid unbranded or generic fish oil.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Only 7.1% of supplements exceeded anisidine values, despite 57.1% exceeding peroxide values.
People assume rancid oil means advanced spoilage, but this shows oxidation is mostly in early stages—meaning products are degrading quickly but not yet rotten, making it harder for consumers to detect.
Practical Takeaways
Look for third-party certified brands (like IFOS, USP, or NSF) that test for potency and oxidation—avoid unbranded or generic fish oil.
Publication
Journal
Arab Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences
Year
2023
Authors
Hawra Abdulhussain, Aysha Khonji, Ayla Alsaloom, Hawra Meshaima, Latifa AlKooheji, Mohammed K. Al-Doseri, M. Al-Mannai, A. Freije
Related Content
Claims (6)
Many fish oil supplements sold commercially do not contain the amount of EPA and DHA claimed on their labels, show signs of degraded fats beyond safe limits, and may contain harmful contaminants like heavy metals.
A study of 14 fish oil supplements sold in Bahrain found that most exceeded safety limits for oxidation, and only a small fraction contained the amount of EPA and DHA listed on their labels.
A study found that more than half of fish oil supplements sold in Bahrain had signs of spoilage beyond safe limits, which may reduce their health benefits and increase exposure to potentially harmful chemicals formed during oxidation.
Testing of fish oil supplements in Bahrain found that more than half had high levels of early-stage oxidation markers, but few showed signs of advanced spoilage; however, about one in three still exceeded safety limits for total oxidation.
Testing of fish oil supplements sold in Bahrain found that nearly half had less of the key omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) than advertised, and some had more EPA but less DHA than labeled, indicating variability in product quality.