A guide to understanding the differences between Cod Liver Supplements, a highly regarded product in the Natural Health Medicine Industry. From differing processing methods to vitamin fortification and greenwashed ingredient lists. We are supporting you to make an informed choice regarding your health.
Here at Mineralis, I am passionate about avoiding synthetic vitamins and minerals wherever possible. That is why I stock only two premium whole food, natural Cod Liver Oil (CLO) preparations, Rosita and Jigsaw Health.
So let’s explore why these are so good, what the difference between these two, how to choose which one is right for you and how they compare to other preparations on the market.
Argghh, so many to choose from.
Let's face it, the vitamin & mineral market is flooded with CLOs. How do you even know what you are getting these days?
Luckily, as a nutritional biochemist, I've been able to use my research skills to be discerning when it comes to choosing a CLO for myself, my family & my customers.
I'll break it all down for you so you too can choose the best for you.
Why are these two brands so good?
Rosita & Jigsaw are the premium CLOs on the market.
Rosita and Jigsaw CLOs differ from others on the market due to their processing methods and their naturally occurring levels of vitamins A and D as well as full spectrum Omega-3 fatty acids. Due to the careful, low-temperature extraction methods, the naturally occurring levels of these vitamins are maintained at a therapeutic level.
This means that the oils have not been fortified with synthetic nutrients.
What is the difference between the two?
Firstly, there are some similarities between these two products. Both of the oils are made from sustainably sourced, wild-caught cod fish from cold water oceans. The differences begin with the ocean in which the codfish are sourced. Rosita harvests their codfish from the pristine waters of Norway, whereas Jigsaw harvests their codfish from the pristine Bering Sea in Alaska. Once caught, the companies have different processing methods.
Rosita processing method
Rosita does not freeze the livers, the oil is extracted using an exclusive cold-process artisan method to extract the oil and preserve the delicate nutrients that are naturally present in wild cod livers. This method does not utilise heat, pressure, metal containers, or treatment. The fish and extraction process receive special treatment, with each liver inspected and only the best chosen and placed in a dark, oxygen-free environment. The oil is naturally released when the cod livers are exposed to temperatures slightly higher than the ocean.
Jigsaw processing method
Jigsaw Health process follows a proprietary short-path distillation process to remove any harmful toxins, PCBs, and pesticides. This process is done at very low temperatures with no exposure to any chemicals or oxygen to maintain maximum bioactivity and freshness. When the codfish come into the boat from the sea, the Cod livers are separated from the filet and then flash frozen at -20˚ Fahrenheit. This halts enzymatic breakdown and oxidation to seal in freshness and nutrients. The oil is naturally released when the cod livers are exposed to temperatures slightly higher than the ocean.
Antioxidant properties
Both brands use an anti-oxidant molecule in their formulation to maintain freshness and reduce oxidation. Rosita uses traces of rosemary oil extract & a tiny drop of natural vitamin E extract from sunflower seeds (that naturally includes mixed tocopherols and is GMO-free) is added to maintain freshness. Jigsaw Health also uses Natural Mixed Tocopherols from non-GMO sunflower oil. Please note that these anti-oxidants are naturally derived. It is free of common allergens.
- Gluten-free,
- GMO-free,
- Soy-free,
- Peanut-free, and
- Tree nut-free.
The amounts of natural vitamin E used are minimal, but essential for a completely raw and unprocessed oil to have a more stable shelf-life.
Which one is best for you?
When choosing which CLO is best for you and your family, I recommend considering dosage per day, dosage per capsule, size of capsule and cost per day.
If you are on a high dose, Jigsaw is more cost-efficient, with higher capsules per bottle, and higher dosage per capsule, the bottle goes further.
If you have trouble swallowing gel capsules, the Rosita would be more suitable as this brand of soft gels are smaller. They are also more child-friendly. If kids are a big no to the capsules full stop, pierce a Rosita soft gel & mix it with avocado!
How do the nutrients compare between Rosita and Jigsaw Cod Liver Oils?
I am a little bit of an over-analyser at times, so I went deep into further comparisons between the two CLO brands.
The size of the soft gels between brands differs, the Rosita soft gel is smaller and therefore contains less oil per serving.
|
Description |
Rosita EVCLO softgels |
Jigsaw softgels |
|
Serving size |
3 softgels |
3 softgels |
|
Vitamin A |
1,260 IU |
800mcg / 2,667 IU |
|
Vitamin D |
127 IU |
6mcg / 240 IU |
|
Total Omega-3s |
417 mg |
900 mg |
|
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) |
195 mg |
300 mg |
|
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) |
143 mg |
420 mg |
|
DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid) |
? |
60mg |
|
Total Pro-Resolving Mediators |
? |
175mcg |
|
Cost per serve |
$1.99 AUD |
$1.17 AUD |
|
Servings per bottle |
30 serves |
60 serves |
What about the difference between the Rosita Soft gels compared to the Rosita Liquid?
I have just introduced the Rosita Liquid Cod Liver to the Mineralis collection as the nutritional value of all nutrients per serve in the soft gels is an average of one-third of that of the liquid This essentially means that the liquid would go two-thirds further if you reduce the serving per dose, or you are getting two-thirds more per serving at a slightly higher price per serve, due to the richness of nutrients. This creates the opportunity for a customisable dosage.
|
Description |
EVCLO Soft gels |
EVCLO Liquid |
|
Serving size |
3 softgels |
1tsp (5ml) |
|
Vitamin A |
1,260 IU |
3 900 IU |
|
Vitamin D |
127 IU |
395 IU |
|
Total Omega-3s |
417 mg |
1,293 mg |
|
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) |
195 mg |
605 mg |
|
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) |
143 mg |
443 mg |
|
Cost per serve |
$1.99 AUD |
$2.17 AUD |
|
Servings per bottle |
30 serves |
30 serves |
How do I choose between the Rosita EVCLO soft gels or EVCLO liquid?
Not everyone likes the fishy taste of CLO so Rosita has recognised this is the case when consuming the liquid form. The Rosita soft gels are easy on the go, don’t require refrigeration making them good for travelling and don’t come with the fish taste when consumed. The soft gel is easily swallowed like a pill, they are small in size and they work well for children. They are more expensive per serving due to the high cost of production and do not contain the same richness in nutrients per serving as the oil, making the liquid the more economical choice for everyday use. The soft gels have a longer shelf life due to the gelatin casing, reducing the exposure to oxidation elements of air and light.
Curious to know more about how Rosita and Jigsaw compare to other cod liver oils on the market?
This is probably where I am most passionate about Cod Liver Oil, I dived in deep when I was pregnant with my first child.
How do Rosita and Jigsaw Cod Liver oils compare to other Cod Liver Oils on the market?
Rosita and Jigsaw Cod Liver Oils differ from other Cod Liver Oils on the market due to their processing methods and their naturally occurring levels of vitamins A and D as well as full spectrum Omega-3 fatty acids. Due to the careful, low-temperature extraction methods, the naturally occurring levels of these vitamins are maintained at a therapeutic level.
Many cod liver oils claim to be natural, yet the standard process by major brands involves intensive refining. Some of these stages of processing involve intensive refining subjecting the oil to heating, steaming, bleaching, winterising, degumming and deodorising. Major companies also distil their oils to remove toxins, sometimes called molecular distillation, which simply means they boil the oil over 375℉. These steps destroy most of the vitamins and can damage the healthy fats, resulting in the oils being fortified with vitamins. Due to the processing methods used by these two companies, the level of naturally occurring vitamins A & D is maintained.
|
Description |
Jigsaw Alaskan Cod Liver Oil™ |
Rosita's Cod Liver Oil Soft gels |
Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil Soft gels |
|
Serving Size |
3 Softgels / 1 Teaspoon |
3 Softgels |
3 Softgels |
|
Volume per serving |
3,600 mg |
1,500 mg |
3,000 mg |
|
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids |
900 mg - 1,000mg |
417 mg |
750 mg |
|
EPA |
420 mg - 600 mg |
143 mg |
240 mg |
|
DHA |
300 mg - 340 mg |
195 mg |
360 mg |
|
DPA |
60 mg |
? |
? |
|
Total Pro-Resolving Mediators |
175 mcg |
? |
? |
|
Vitamin A |
800 mcg (2,667 IU) - 1,100 mcg (3,667 IU) |
378 mcg (1260 IU) |
45-180 mcg (150-600 IU) |
|
% of Daily Value of Vitamin A (based on a Daily Value of 900 mcg / 3,000 IU) |
89% - 122% |
42% |
3-12% |
|
Synthetic Vitamin A added |
No |
No |
No |
|
Vitamin D |
5 mcg (200 IU) - 6 mcg (240 IU) |
3.2 mcg (127 IU) |
0 - 0.3 mcg (0 - 12 IU) |
|
% of Daily Value of Vitamin D (based on a Daily Value of 20 mcg / 800 IU) |
25% - 30% |
16% |
0-3% |
|
Synthetic Vitamin D added |
No |
No |
No |
|
Flavouring |
None in Soft gels / Hint of Lemon in Liquid |
None |
Lemon |
|
Source |
Dutch Harbor, Alaska |
Norway |
Arctic |
|
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certified |
Yes |
No |
No |
Source: Jigsaw Health Website
But the Nordic Naturals ingredients list says purified cod liver oil and natural lemon flavour?
Purified is one of those elusive words, it gives the reader the impression that it is clean when in fact it is referring to the purifying processes that have been undergone to remove the fish flavour, in turn damaging or destroying the naturally occurring vitamin A and D3, weakening the nutritional value of the CLO.
To make poor-quality tasting oils, most commercial cod liver oil producers will add flavourings such as “natural lemon flavour” to their products. While the flavour may be naturally derived from the lemon peel, the actual contents are proprietary, and the flavouring companies do not have to divulge their processes or ingredients (only certify that the flavouring is free of the eight major allergens).
Source: Rosita USA https://www.rositausa.com/blogs/news/industrial-production-of-cod-liver-oil