Knowde Enhanced TDS
Identification & Functionality
- Ingredient Name
- Pharma & Nutraceuticals Functions
- Ingredients
- Omega-3 Docosahexaenoic Acid
- Technologies
- Biology
Cod, known in Norwegian as torsk, is one of the most important commercial fishes in the world. Most of the fat of the cod is stored in the liver. It has a naturally higher level of DHA than EPA and the cod liver oil, known in Norway as tran, has been used since ancient times for its properties and its vitamin content.
There are several species of cod and Pharma Marine™ use mainly Northeast Arctic Cod (Gadus morhua) as raw material for our CodMarine® products, although saithe (Pollachius virens) and haddock (Melanogramus aeglefinus) are also used. The Northeast Arctic cod stock outside of Norway is the largest cod stock in the world.
Cod is an adaptable and versatile fish as it lives in a broad range of temperatures and salinities. They normally live near the bottom of the sea, but you can also find them closer to the surface. They are able to live at different depths. 150-200 meters is the most normal, but they can also go down to 600 meters. The typical size of cod fished by ocean vessels is around 70-90 cm, 1 meter can be considered the average, but it can reach up to 200 cm long and 60 kg.
Cod has a lifespan of 20 years and reach reproductive maturity at 3-4 years, being possible also at 2, and it is estimated that a female can spawn 1 million eggs per year. Another interesting characteristic of Northeast Atlantic cod is that they are able to do long migrations. They spend a long part of the year in the Barents Sea and come to the coast of Norway to spawn.
Features & Benefits
- Labeling Claims
- Food Ingredients Features
- Health Benefits
Omega-3 – For all stages of life
Throughout your life, your body needs the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. There are more than 30,000 published studies on omega-3s, making them some of the most studied nutrients in the world. The scientific literature describes several conditions where the intake of EPA and DHA are positively associated with health from the development of the fetus to older ages.Omega-3- contains EPA and DHA - two very important long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. EPA and DHA are vital nutrients that help every cell in our body function in an optimal way. The heart, brain, eyes, muscles and joints all rely on Omega-3 to operate correctly. Each cell in our body is a special functional unit that needs to get nutrients in and waste products out. EPA and DHA help ensure such efficient and flexible transport. Our bodies do not efficiently produce EPA and DHA, so we have to obtain it through our diet. Seafood is our main source of EPA and DHA but a supplement of marine Omega-3 is a good alternative if you do not eat enough fatty fish. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has made recommendations regarding daily intake of EPA and DHA to help consumers better understand the health benefits of these fatty acids.Omega-3 intake has further been associated with:
- Reducing symptoms of ADHD.
- Mood regulation.
- Improving cognition and working memory.
- Decreasing the likelihood of preterm birth.
- Improving the function of joints.
- Depressing inflammation and enhancing immune response.
- Generally supporting for healthy aging.
The European Food Safety Authority has approved health claims for:
- Maintenance of normal heart function, blood pressure and blood triglyceride level.
- Maintenance of normal brain function.
- Maintenance of normal vision.
- Normal development of the brain, eye and vision of the fetus and breastfed infants.
Cardiovascular Health
The cardiovascular system is the engine of our body. It must maintain complicated interactions and fuel a set of cells and organs year after year. Still, the cardiovascular system does not necessarily give you important early signs of deterioration; stiff and calcified arteries with fat deposits, a gradual increase in blood pressure, in the blood level of unhealthy fats, or in shortness of breath. EPA and DHA are scientifically proven to contribute to the normal function of the heart, normal blood pressure and to the normal blood level of triglycerides. Consuming recommended doses of EPA and DHA is an easy way to contribute to the maintenance of a healthy heart and circulation. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends a daily intake of 250 milligrams of EPA and DHA to contribute to a normal function of the heart, 2 grams EPA and DHA to maintain a normal blood triglyceride level and 3 grams of EPA and DHA to maintain normal blood pressure.
Brain Health
DHA is one of the major building blocks of the brain and is critical for optimal brain activity and function at all ages of life. Two types of cells - neurons and glia cells - are responsible for sending and processing signals so that we can function intellectually, operate the central nerve system and move our bodies. Both cell types are dependent upon flexible membranes where EPA and DHA play important roles. DHA also contributes to effective communication between the vast numbers of neurons. Research has shown that omega-3s have an impact on cognitive function and memory, symptoms of depression, ADHD, and recovery from traumatic brain injuries. EFSA recommend a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA to contribute to the maintenance of normal brain function.
Eye Health
The development, maintenance and preservation of vision are vital for all individuals. Even if new technology now easily can replace lenses, it cannot do the same with important components of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of cells in the back of the eye that contributes to creating an image of what you see – like film in a camera. The retina has receptors for light and nerve cells that send signals to the brain for interpretation of the light signals. The relation to DHA is that we find - and the cells need - high concentrations of DHA in the retina for adequate vision in dim light and at night. The highly unsaturated nature of DHA has unique effects on retinal cell membranes allowing them to transmit light signals very quickly. A number of studies have confirmed that DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision and EFSA recommend a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA to attain this.
Maternal And Childhood Development
Pregnancy is an important period in life. An amazing event takes place in the body- a fully developed baby is created out of two merged cells. All information of how and when cells and organs of different functions and appearances will develop lies in our DNA. However, this development also depends upon the mother and the nutrition she delivers to the fetus. The mother-to-be should start consuming both EPA and DHA before conception. This is to provide her body with the best possible supplies and storage for the upcoming pregnancy. It is scientifically substantiated that maternal intake of DHA both during pregnancy and breastfeeding contribute to normal fetal development of the brain, eye and vision.EFSA recommend pregnant and lactating women to have a daily intake of 200 mg DHA, in addition to the recommended daily intake of EPA and DHA for adults, i.e. 250 mg EPA and DHA, to contribute to the normal development of the brain, eye and vision of the fetus and breastfed infants.
Joint Health
Moving around, bending your arms, using your fingers or twisting your neck means that more than 300 smaller and larger joints are in function and under pressure. In a joint, two bones come together, creating a connection between them. To enable the optimal function of such a connection, cartilage surrounds ends of the bones while the presence of fluid acts as grease to reduce friction. Joints must sustain different conditions from heavy physical strains, vigorous activity and stress to infections and impaired immune function. Despite such varied conditions, they must operate smoothly and precisely to preserve flexibility and prevent stiffness and pain. Different cell types and fluid containing soluble compounds make sure that the joint can do so- day by day. If low-grade inflammation persists over time, severe pain - and chronic arthritis - may develop if left untreated. By its anti-inflammatory effect, omega-3 may counteract the loss of collagen and deterioration of cartilage. When you know that cartilage has a very limited capacity to heal itself or to regenerate, the use of omega-3 to preserve cartilage and inhibit inflammation becomes very important.OMEGA-6:OMEGA-3 Balance And InflammationThe ratio between omega-6 and omega-3 is an indicator of the type of fatty acids that you have in your body. In many countries, it has been reported omega-6 to omega-3 balances as high as 20:1 while the ideal index should be max. 5:1. Studies have shown that people have gradually changed their consumption of types of fatty acids by such as consuming more fast food and less fish. Popular fatty acid sources like cultivated vegetables contain a lot of omega-6 in their oils and seeds. In addition, omega-6 is frequently put in animal feed increasing the content in meat and eggs.
The balance reflects the state of the body; a high index implies that much more omega-6 than omega-3 is built into our cell membranes. This is unfavorable because it makes the cell membranes less flexible and does not allow optimal traffic of nutrients, transport of signal molecules or waste elimination. As a consequence, a high index is associated with an increased risk for developing the disease, for example, cardiovascular disease, diabetes 2 and chronic inflammatory diseases.
On the other hand - if the index is low, due to a high intake of omega-3, the body reflects the opposite; the omega-3 rich cell membranes will be flexible and healthy. Compounds acting anti-inflammatory, preventing blood clotting and positively influence the heart rhythm as well as relaxing the muscle layer in the arteries will be more easily formed. All these effects are favorable for your body- and maintain the body in a healthy – and not stressed state. Remember to keep your omega-6:omega-3 index at an optimal level by consuming enough EPA and DHA.- Sustainability
Take only what you need and utilize everything you harvest from nature for us, sustainability is all about respecting nature and safeguarding that there will be resources available also for future generations.
CodMarine® is a modern version of Cod Liver Oil where we use all trimmings from food production of cod, not only the liver. We believe that we need to utilize everything we harvest from nature so there will be enough EPA and DHA for the world’s growing population.
CodMarine® is certified as sustainable by both Friend of the Sea (FoS) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Through the certifications, MSC and FoS endorse that fishery supplying raw material to CodMarine® work under the environmental standard for sustainable fishing conditions.
The abundance of Cod has been a profound influence on the rise of settlements in our coastal areas. Since the Viking age, 1000 years ago, Norwegians have exported products based on Cod. We see the importance of fishing in a sustainable way to make sure there will be enough Cod also for future generations. In addition to sustainable fishing practices, we believe we should utilize everything that is harvested. We have contracts with several fishing vessels (the CodMarine® fleet) that are fishing cod in the Barents Sea. The fish is processed onboard and the trimmings from the production of food for human consumption are processed into fish oil and fishmeal. Pharma Marine™ collects this first stage oil from the fishing vessels approximately every 4-6 weeks during the whole year as long as the quotas are not finished. Our engagement to buy the raw materials from the boats helps fishermen to utilize the whole catch.
Applications & Uses
- Markets
- Applications
- Food & Nutrition Applications
- Use
CodMarine® is a modern version of Cod Liver Oil where we use all trimmings from food production of cod, not only the liver. We believe that we need to utilize everything we harvest from nature so there will be enough EPA and DHA for the world’s growing population.