Maintaining Potency of Fish Oil Supplements Through Proper Storage

Proper Storage for Maintaining Potency of Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil capsules provide important omega-3 fatty acids offering wide-ranging health benefits. But improper storage causes fish oil to oxidize and become rancid faster. Learning effective preservation methods helps retain supplement potency longer.

Understanding Fish Oil Oxidation

Fish oil undergoes oxidation when exposed to oxygen, light, or heat. This causes free radicals and reactive oxygen species to form, breaking down the chemical structure of fish oil. Oxidation reduces the levels of beneficial EPA and DHA omega-3 fats. Rancid fish oil also produces unpleasant odors and flavors.

Consuming oxidized oil provides little health value but may cause some stomach upset or inflammation. Proper handling and storage techniques help avoid oxidation, retaining purity, freshness and nutritional value of fish oil capsules longer.

Storage Temperature Recommendations

Heat accelerates degradation of fish oil so regulating storage temperature proves important. Fish oil capsules and liquid should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Refrigeration offers ideal conditions for unopened bottles. However, exposure to repetitive temperature fluctuations through opening/closing the fridge still lowers stability. Some tips include:

Buy in Smaller Bottles

Purchasing fish oil in smaller volume dark bottles minimizes air exposure when opening. This avoids having to store a large open container in the fridge for months while taking doses.

Freeze for Extended Storage

Freezing previously unthawed fish oil capsules or liquid effectively stops oxidation, retaining maximum freshness and nutritional properties longer term. This works well if buying large quantity bottles on sale.

Dont Store Above Room Temperature

Avoid leaving fish oil supplements in hot places like near stoves, in car gloveboxes, or exposed to outdoor heat in sheds or garages. High temperatures accelerate spoilage.

Ideally, store sealed bottles around 59-68F to balance product stability with convenience. But always keep fish oil away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Using Oxygen-Free Containers

Because oxygen exposure causes fish oil oxidation, storage using air-restrictive containers offers protection. Options include:

Opaque Dark Glass Bottles

Fish oil naturally blocks UV light. But darker glass provides extra protection from light exposure plus less visible indication of oxidation from color changes over time.

Foil Pouches

Vacuum sealed, foil-lined pouches prevent air exposure and light damage during storage. These help lightly flavored fish oil taste fresher for longer vs plastic containers.

Oxygen Absorber Packets

Include an oxygen absorber packet when freezing or refrigerating unopened fish oil bottles to limit air contact. Use fresh absorbers each time you open and reseal containers.

Storing capsules in original packaging works well if using up opened bottles within a couple months. Beyond that, consider special containers.

Signs Your Fish Oil Has Gone Bad

Despite best efforts, fish oil eventually degrades in quality and potency. Watch for signals like:

• Unpleasant fishy taste or smell
• Change to brown, yellow, or orange hue
• Oily residue when shaking bottle
• Capsule oil looks cloudy or clumped

Rancid fish oil loses effectiveness so replace bottles displaying any rotten characteristics.

Improving Supplement Absorption

Various factors interfere with the body properly digesting and absorbing fish oil benefits. Strategies to boost bioavailability include:

Pair with Fatty Meals

Consuming fish oil capsules with high-fat foods like avocado, nuts, olive oil etc. enhances absorption. Fat triggers release of bile and pancreatic enzymes to better break down oil-based supplements.

Minimize Caffeine

Caffeine from coffee, tea, or soda can hinder absorption by up to 38%. Take fish oil supplements an hour before or several hours after caffeine intake.

Try Enteric Coating

Specially formulated capsules with enteric coating resist stomach acid to delay breakdown. This helps more EPA/DHA reach the small intestine for easier nutrient assimilation into cells.

Use Triglyceride Form

For some, fish oil triglycerides prove easier to digest than ethyl esters. This provides more efficient gut uptake support if you have trouble gaining benefits from other fish oil types.

Avoiding Fish Oil Side Effects

Some people experience mild GI discomfort, heartburn, loose stools or an unpleasant aftertaste from fish oil supplements. Using highly refined medical-grade products minimizes contaminant exposures. But other tips to prevent side effects include:

• Take with meals
• Start with low doses
• Freeze capsules before swallowing
• Drink plenty of water to ease digestion

Consult your doctor before using fish oil if you have existing digestive disorders, diabetes, or bleeding risks. Rarely, contaminated fish oil causes severe health impacts so always purchase reputable supplements.

The Bottom Line

Maximizing preservation quality means selecting a high-stability fish oil brand and storing it properly in cool, dark, oxygen-free conditions. Refrigeration works best for unopened bottles, while smaller opaque containers stored around room temperature help protect opened product. Watch for signs of rancidity and discard if fish oil smells, tastes, or looks unpleasant. With careful handling, quality fish oil capsules retain optimal freshness and nutritional potency for many months.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.