Recently, the makers of Lovanza have launched a massive advertising blitz to introduce their product - something that did not exist previously - a fish oil prescription. Even though Lovanza was approved under a different name several years ago, it was thought that this hugely expensive marketing campaign should be launched now. Let's review their claims and see if there are less expensive alternatives.
Actually, the FDA approved Lovaza a few years ago under its old name - Omacor. Now that the manufacturer has settled on a name, they decided the time was right for a huge advertising campaign. Their commercials are all over television and the print media in the U.S.
I said before that the drug company is seeing a big profit potential here, which is why the marketing blitz has started. The fish oil research is overwhelming on the health benefits for the heart, brain, eyes, skin and joints. The conventional medical community is finally realizing that a natural nutrient that attacks the causes of a disease is better than a drug that attempts to fix the symptoms.
Enough background. What is the difference between prescription [rx] fish oil and OTC supplements? After all, Lovaza costs about ten, I repeat - ten times - as much as even the best OTC products. Brace yourself for the answer.
Not much.
Simply put. People take fish oil to get the omega 3 fatty acids in it. There is no other reason. The omega 3s in Lovaza are the same as an OTC fish oil supplement. What the drug company claims is that the concentration level is higher than normal, is contaminant free and is approved by the FDA.
1] About 84% of each prescription fish oil capsule are omega 3s - versus 50% for a good OTC product. Let's do the math. They charge over ten times as much to give less than two times the concentration.
2] Lovaza does seem to have purified their product. But, so have dozens of OTC products. My supplement has independent lab reports [readable ones] on their website to prove their purity.
3] OTC supplements are exempt from review by the FDA because they are food, not rx drugs. None of the restaurants you dine at are reviewed by the FDA either.
Summing up what we know, it does not matter whether they come from a quality OTC supplement or a Lovanza fish oil prescription - omega 3s are omega 3s. The difference is dosage - which you will pay a lot for whether it is needed or not. My website can help you find what you need in an OTC product.
Author Resource:
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