One hundred years ago people lived close to their food. If you lived near the ocean, the fish you ate was replete with omega-3s. If you were landlocked, you likely consumed meat and poultry that fed off the grassy plains. “Grass-fed” wasn’t health-chic and “Eat Local” wasn’t a catchphrase as it is today. It was the only way to eat.

As the population grew, however, technology and new techniques for raising livestock began to rob our diets of omega-3s, often times replacing them with omega-6 fatty acids. Cattle and chicken that once roamed and ate freely of grass were instead fed carbohydrate-rich grains. Those grains were higher in omega-6 fatty acids and the meat (and eggs from the chickens) that the livestock produced was subsequently higher in omega-6 fatty acids. Additionally, the development of the screw-nut expeller press gave us oils from vegetables and seeds such as corn, soy, safflower and sunflower—less expensive, commercial-friendly oils high in omega-6s and nearly devoid of omega-3s.

Throw into the mix the rampant popularity of pre-packaged “on the go” comfort foods that so many Americans survive on, and it’s easy to understand the steady decline of omega-3 consumption and the increase in omega-6 consumption. Studies have shown that the typical American diet today contains anywhere from a 6:1 to a 20:1 ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s. While we do need omega-6 fatty acids in our diet (they are essential), those ratios are entirely out of whack. The ratio that most experts agree represents a healthy diet is between 4:1 and 1:1, with recent studies pointing to a positive impact on key health factors when the ratio is below 4:1. The majority of Americans are far from that ratio, and nowhere are the results of that more evident than in the increase of nutrient-deficient health problems.

When Jordan investigated and discovered the current options for consumers on most health food store shelves, he was both pleased and disappointed by what he found.

“It seems everything that was called innovation in the fish oil category had to do with either purity or taste. That was good and bad. Purity is a noble pursuit where fish oil is concerned because you want the highest safety standards. But I believe purity is a starting point in a great product, not the final destination. Improving taste leads to more people willing to take a good supplement, and that is a positive. The downside was that the innovation stopped there. I believed that the ocean had much more to offer than purified fish oil that didn’t taste gross.

“My team and I knew then that we wanted to bring our customers an innovative omega-3 formula unlike any that existed in health food stores today. We weren’t going to be satisfied with creating ‘just another omega-3 fish oil.’ That was where the hard work came in.”

The idea struck Jordan Rubin as so many of them do. In his sleep. When most of them strike, he wakes up, types them into his Blackberry, and then goes back to sleep. When this one struck, it was big enough to make him get out of bed.

The idea for Oceans 3™ shares the traits of so many great ideas. It was simple, one of those concepts that makes people say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It is logical. The idea had both symmetry and synergy. Most importantly, it was an idea that addressed the most pervasive health challenges in America today.

Jordan was convinced that the ocean represents one of the last frontiers for health. He also believed that it has more to offer than just fish oil. His idea was to combine three superpower ingredients from the ocean into one formula that goes far beyond omega-3s. And it wasn’t just “any three” ingredients. The idea that came to him was to combine three of the most studied, effective and health-promoting ingredients the ocean has to offer. They each share many of the same health benefits, in addition to the unique attributes they contain on their own. When combined, they work in concert to amplify their already enormous health potential.

EPA AND DHA

From ultra pure, high potency omega-3 fish oil. The benefits of EPA and DHA have become widely known and embraced by the medical and scientific community and include support for cardiovascular health, brain function, and nervous system health.^† Most Americans consume insufficient amounts of omega-3 fats in their diet, and a growing number of people are choosing to supplement with fish oil formulas rich in EPA and DHA. A quality source of omega-3s must be a foundational element of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

FUCOXANTHIN

A carotenoid derived from brown seaweed, is a dynamic ocean-based antioxidant. Antioxidants are noted for their ability to fight free radicals, which can cause damage at the cellular level.^† Fucoxanthin has been shown to exert its protective effects directly in fat cells. Since metabolism requires oxygen, fat cells are a prime culprit for oxidative stress and, unfortunately, Americans are in no short supply of fat cells.

ASTAXANTHIN

An extremely powerful antioxidant carotenoid from sea algae. Astaxanthin is a well-studied compound that has been shown to be 14 times stronger than vitamin E, 53 times stronger than betacarotene, and 64 times stronger than vitamin C. As an antioxidant, astaxanthin benefits cardiovascular health, supports the body’s natural response to inflammation, immune system health and eye health, and it even supports healthy skin, bones and joints.^†

Each of the three ingredients is strong enough to stand on its own. Combined for the very first time in the Oceans 3 formulations, they represent one of the most compelling innovations ever seen in the omega-3 category.

The unique combination of ultra pure fish oil, fucoxanthin and astaxanthin contained exclusively in the Oceans 3 formulas is appropriately named OmegaXanthin™.

The inclusion of fucoxanthin in the Oceans 3™ formulas was a no-brainer for Jordan. Fucoxanthin is a powerful antioxidant and has been shown to support normal cardiovascular function, promote a healthy response to inflammation, and provide antioxidant cellular protection.^†

Jordan has been working with astaxanthin in formulations for several years, and when the Oceans 3 concept came along, he went back to the scientific literature and realized the wisdom of featuring this powerhouse carotenoid in Oceans 3. Astaxanthin comes from a tiny microalgae with huge health-giving properties. The list of health benefits from astaxanthin is almost too good to be true. It promotes cardiovascular health, immune system health and joint health.† It even supports the skin structure during sun exposure.^†

Of course, fish oil and the omega-3s contained in the Oceans 3 formulas have a long and rich history of health. While the body can produce EPA and DHA from ALA (alpha-linoleic acid), the process is limited to start with— and is further diminished as we age. Increasingly, it is becoming more and more important to provide our bodies with additional EPA and DHA through the foods and oils we consume or the supplements we take. The laundry list of health benefits from omega-3s (including cardiovascular health, brain health and immune health^† ) have made fish oils the single best-selling supplement category in health food stores.

The three ingredients found in Oceans 3 are available as stand-alone products. Only Oceans 3 combines these ingredients into a blend called OmegaXanthin™. OmegaXanthin allows fish oil, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin to achieve far more together than these already powerful compounds could do on their own. This powerful combination is only available in Oceans 3 formulas.

There is an undeniable synergy with the three ocean-based compounds that make up OmegaXanthin™ and the amplified benefits they provide make this compound truly unique. One example can be found in how they affect cardiovascular health. All three ingredients benefit the heart, each in its own way. Omega-3s stimulate circulation and aid in fibrin breakdown, a compound involved in clot formation.† Astaxanthin fights free radicals that can wreak havoc on arteries.† Fucoxanthin supports the body’s natural response to inflammation which is great for cardiovascular and overall health.†

The synergy doesn’t stop there. In animal studies, fucoxanthin was demonstrated to be more effective when it was combined with an omega-3 fatty acid than if it were alone. Wild salmon, one of the healthiest foods on the planet, contains both omega-3s and astaxanthin. The Japanese, one of the healthiest and longest-lived cultures, routinely consume omega-3s, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin together in one meal (omega-3 and astaxanthin from fish, and fucoxanthin from the seaweed in their miso soup or salad). It’s as if the omega-3s, fucoxanthin and astaxanthin were made for each other.

Astaxanthin and fucoxanthin are fat-soluble antioxidants. In other words, in order for them to be absorbed by the body, they need to be combined with a source of fatty acids. Omega-3s are a world-class source of fats, making them a natural complement to astaxanthin and fucoxanthin. Finally, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil need a powerful antioxidant as a sidekick. The next time you look at the ingredients for your omega-3 fish oil supplement, you will no doubt notice that it has vitamin E in it, a powerful antioxidant in its own right. That is because fish oil can spoil pretty quickly without an antioxidant around to protect it. As we’ve already noted, both astaxanthin and fucoxanthin are powerful antioxidants

PURITY FIRST.

That was Jordan’s mantra to his team when sourcing the fish oil that would be used as the base of all Oceans 3 formulas. Over the last decade, purity has emerged as the #1 standard that must be met. “If you can’t ensure the utmost purity in your fish oil, you might as well not even launch the product,” said Jordan.

Fish oils are packed with health-giving properties, but unless they are carefully processed, they can also retain environmental contaminants and toxins that may be harmful to your body. In order to ensure that potentially dangerous compounds such as mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic and dioxins are below dangerous levels, the oil must be meticulously purified.

ENTER PureMax™

An exciting new technology featured for the first time in Oceans 3™ formulas that sets a new worldwide standard for purity. Here is how the PureMax™ process works: 

It all starts with the fish. Our fresh, wild-caught fish are sustainably harvested and literally, within a few hours, their body oil it extracted. This pristine, fresh high grade fish oil is then sent through a multiple-stage molecular distillation process that both concentrates the EPA and DHA and removes environmental toxins such as lead, mercury, dioxins and PCBs. The end result is a pharmaceutical-grade fish oil that sets a new industry standard for purity and concentration.

We verify our purity by having each batch analyzed by an independent third-party laboratory. In order for the fish oil to be used in Oceans 3, it must exceed the European Commission (EC) purity standards as well as those of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA omega-3s (GOED). The GOED standard is the voluntary standard of the Council for Responsible Nutrition and is the only purity standard in the U.S. What’s most important is that the oil has to meet the Garden of Life® standard— the standard that says that anything we produce is industry leading in its quality and value. In addition to the confidence you can have in the purity of the fish oil in Oceans 3, the PureMax™ process also produces a product of superior freshness. This means a clean, pleasant tasting fish oil with no fishy repeats or lingering aftertaste. The highest quality and great taste!

Finally, we know that natural resources are limited. Because Garden of Life is committed to preserving our planet’s valuable resources for future generations, our fishery partners adhere to sustainable practices and only harvest fish that are abundant in the wild and never endangered.

If you were to take a stroll down the supplement aisle of your local health food store you would find fish oils, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin sold separately—and for good reason. All three ingredients have unique selling points that justify a “stand alone” product. With Oceans 3 Beyond Omega-3, you get an omega-3 fish oil of the highest quality with the added benefits of two extraordinary antioxidants, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin.

The truly incredible part? This is done without sacrificing the level of omega-3 fats in the product. A comparison to the #1 selling fish oil in health food stores shows that Oceans 3 Beyond Omega-3 has 675 mg of EPA and 450 mg of DHA vs. 650 mg of EPA and 450 mg of DHA for the leading brand.

The price is comparable as well. For about ten cents a day more, you can also get the amplified benefits of a synergistic combination of highly purified omega-3 fish oil, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin. Additionally, stand-alone astaxanthin products containing 4 mg of astaxanthin per serving—the same amount you receive in the Oceans 3 Beyond Omega-3 formula—retail for anywhere between $19.99 to $24.99. When you add in the fucoxanthin, you are getting an omega-3 fish oil product with more value than any other product, period.

Simply put, Oceans 3 offers greater benefits and a better value than other omega-3 supplements. We believe that taking one bottle of Oceans 3 will change the way you feel about omega-3 fish oil forever.

Go Beyond Omega-3…with Oceans 3!