Omega 3 fatty acids are naturally found in the triglycerides (TGs) form in fish. During the processing steps of fish oil production, an alternative form of fats is created which is called ethyl esters (EEs).
These fish oils are commonly sold and make up the vast majority of the fish oil market, as they are generally cheap. However, scientific research shows that our body does not absorb fish oil in the same way when it is in the EEs form, and this form also seems to be more prone to oxidation than triglycerides.
In a clinical study 72 people were supplemented with EPA+DHA from different forms for 2 weeks. Blood analysis at the end showed a superior bioavailability from rTGs compared to EEs.
