Fish oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA), which are widely favored for cardiovascular and brain health and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there are many types of fish oil on the market, including rTG, TG and EE. How should we choose? This article will take you to a comprehensive understanding of the types of fish oil and teach you how to choose wisely according to your needs!

Fish Oil Types

1. TG fish oil (Triglyceride form)
   TG fish oil is obtained through physical pressing. This structure is the most common form of oil in nature. It can be said to be a gift from nature. The body is particularly receptive to this structure, just like an old friend. However, because it is in a more natural state, the purity is relatively lower.
2. EE type fish oil (Ethyl Ester Form)
   It is based on TG (triglyceride form), and glycerol is stripped off through chemical methods to transform it into an ethyl ester structure. One great advantage of doing this is that the purity of Omega-3 is greatly improved. However, this change also brings some minor troubles. Since glycerol is removed, it is not so easy for the human body to absorb this form. Absorbing it requires a special "pass". Not only does it need to be taken for a long time, but it also needs to be paired with a high-fat meal so that the body can absorb it more effectively. Although the purity is high, the threshold for absorption is indeed higher.
3. rTG fish oil (Re-esterified Triglyceride)
   rTG fish oil is based on the purification of EE structure and is reduced to TG structure through re-esterification, so it is called reconstructed triglyceride type. It combines the advantages of the first two types of fish oil: the Omega-3 content is greatly increased, and the purity can even reach 95%; it also retains the same natural oil structure as TG type, allowing the body to absorb it without any pressure.

New Technology: Supercritical Extraction and rTG Process

• Supercritical CO₂ extraction technology: low temperature, solvent-free, retains more natural ingredients, high purification efficiency and environmentally friendly, widely used in high-quality fish oil production.
• KD chromatography separation technology: can accurately separate different fatty acids and increase the content and purity of EPA and DHA.
• rTG re-esterification technology: The transesterification rate of modern esterification technology can reach more than 90%, making the EPA/DHA content high, the structure stable, and the absorption rate comparable to natural TG type.
  
  

A comparison of fish oil types, absorption rates and purity

Common Myths Busted

• Freezing experiment: High-purity fish oil (high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids) is not easy to solidify, but it is greatly affected by the temperature and additives of household refrigerators. It is for reference only.
• Foam dissolution experiment: EE type fish oil can dissolve polystyrene foam, but it is affected by the foam material and the purity of the fish oil and is not the only basis for judgment.
• Sinking test: Fish oil will float because its density is lower than that of water. However, the capsule shell material and additives will also affect the results, so the quality cannot be judged based on this alone.

Two key points for selecting high-quality fish oil

1. The source of raw materials is pure: we choose raw materials away from pollution and use deep-sea fish to reduce the risk of heavy metals.
2. Complete inspection and certification: Passed heavy metal inspection and obtained international certifications such as IFOS and GOED to ensure safety and purity.

Based on the above explanation, when choosing fish oil, it is recommended to first clarify your health needs and budget considerations.
If you attach particular importance to natural ingredients, TG fish oil would be an ideal choice because its structure is closest to natural fish oil and is suitable for people who pursue pure nature.
If you care about the active ingredient content, absorption rate and overall health benefits of fish oil, you can give priority to rTG fish oil. The rTG type is processed by professional technology, which is not only high in purity, but also has a better absorption rate, which can more effectively exert the benefits of Omega-3.
As for EE type fish oil, because its price is between TG and rTG types, it has become a moderate choice for consumers with limited budgets but who want to take into account certain efficacy.

Finally, after understanding the characteristics of various forms of fish oil, you can choose the fish oil product that best suits you according to your own needs to truly achieve the effect of adding health benefits.