At MCS Formulas, our mission is to offer some of the world’s best food supplements in terms of effectiveness and purity, with fast, reliable delivery. Here’s what we provide:

ULTRAFAST WORLDWIDE SHIPPING: We ship to nearly every country across the globe, partnering with trusted carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL Express to ensure quick and secure delivery.

SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST SUPPLEMENTS IN THEIR CATEGORY: We very much care about what goes into our products, and we are committed to offering the highest-quality supplements, focusing on two key areas:

– Maximizing Effectiveness:

• We source the finest ingredients available.
• Our supplements are packed with generous amounts of active ingredients per capsule.
• We use advanced formulations to enhance absorption for optimal results.

– Maximizing Purity:

• We test all raw materials before production through top laboratories like Eurofins.
• Post-manufacturing, we ensure further quality testing through Agrolab, one of Europe’s largest food testing labs.
• We minimize, and often eliminate, additives, even though this makes production slower and more costly. The result is a cleaner, purer product for you.

WE VALUE LIFE: Discover our commitment to giving back through our We Donate program

MCS Formulas was founded by a Doctor of Science, who previously created a highly respected health blog. For many years before the creation of MCS Formulas, this platform provided free, valuable health information to millions, driven purely by a genuine commitment to helping people in need, without any financial motivation (Ref.).

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: EPA, DHA and the Omega-3 Index

The food we consume can significantly influence our body’s normal physiological functions and metabolism, particularly when it comes to essential nutrients that the body cannot produce on its own. Omega-3 fatty acids are an important example of these nutrients. They are involved in lipid metabolism and are important structural components of cell membranes throughout the body. The three most relevant Omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

ALA is an essential fatty acid that must be obtained through the diet, as the human body cannot produce it. Although the body can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, this process is relatively inefficient, particularly for DHA. Therefore, obtaining EPA and DHA directly from dietary sources is an important consideration when evaluating Omega-3 intake.

Fatty fish, naturally rich in EPA and DHA, are an important part of official dietary recommendations for a balanced diet. However, many people do not consume fatty fish regularly enough to achieve the recommended intake of these long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids. While the body can obtain EPA and DHA from several dietary sources, fatty fish remains one of the most important natural sources.

At the same time, certain fish species may contain environmental contaminants, including dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals such as mercury. For this reason, official dietary guidelines recommend selecting appropriate fish species and limiting the consumption of certain fish known to accumulate higher concentrations of contaminants.

High-quality fish oil supplements offer an alternative source of EPA and DHA. Through carefully controlled purification processes, environmental contaminants can be substantially reduced. Independent laboratory testing provides additional assurance regarding the purity and quality of the fish oil. As a result, Omega-3 supplements can be a convenient way to complement dietary intake of these important long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

What Is the Omega-3 Index?

The Omega-3 Index is a measure of the EPA and DHA content in red blood cell membranes, expressed as a percentage of total red blood cell fatty acids. It provides an indication of an individual’s longer-term Omega-3 fatty acid status.

Omega-3 status can be measured through specialized laboratory tests, including convenient finger-prick blood tests. Unlike measurements that primarily reflect recent dietary intake, the Omega-3 Index provides information about EPA and DHA levels over a longer period.

The Omega-3 Index has been widely investigated in scientific research, including studies examining the relationship between Omega-3 fatty acid status and various aspects of human health.

Research has proposed an Omega-3 Index of approximately 8% or higher as a desirable target, although this is not a universally established nutritional recommendation.

Individual Omega-3 Index values can vary considerably depending on dietary habits, fatty fish consumption, EPA and DHA supplementation, and individual metabolism. The response to Omega-3 intake also differs between individuals, meaning that the amount of EPA and DHA needed to achieve a particular Omega-3 Index is not the same for everyone.

For individuals who consume little fatty fish, high-quality Omega-3 supplements can provide a convenient and consistent source of EPA and DHA as part of a balanced diet.

EU-Authorized Health Claims

• Brain function: DHA contributes to maintenance of normal brain function.
• Vision: DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
• Heart function: EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart.

The beneficial effects are obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA for brain function and vision, and 250 mg EPA and DHA combined for normal heart function.

Omega-3 Freshness and TOTOX Value: Why They Matter

The quality of Omega-3 fish oil depends greatly on its freshness. Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally sensitive to oxidation, a process that can gradually lead to rancidity. As Omega-3 fatty acids oxidize, they initially form primary oxidation products known as peroxides, which can subsequently break down into secondary oxidation compounds, including aldehydes such as malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyhexenal. Measuring these oxidation products is therefore essential when assessing the freshness and quality of Omega-3 supplements.

Three key parameters are used to evaluate oxidation in Omega-3 fish oil: the peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (AV), and TOTOX value. The TOTOX value is calculated by combining the peroxide and anisidine values:

TOTOX = p-Anisidine Value + (2 × Peroxide Value)

The TOTOX value (Total Oxidation Value) is an internationally recognized indicator of the overall oxidation level in oils and fats, making it an important measure of Omega-3 fish oil freshness. Higher TOTOX values generally indicate more advanced oxidation and reduced freshness.

The peroxide value (PV) measures primary oxidation products formed during the initial stages of oxidation, while the anisidine value (AV) measures certain secondary oxidation products, particularly aldehydes. Together, these parameters provide a more comprehensive picture of the oxidation status of fish oil than either measurement alone.

At MCS Formulas, we place great importance on the freshness, purity, and quality of our Omega-3 supplements. Our Omega-3 ingredient manufacturing partner carefully monitors peroxide, anisidine, and TOTOX values during the production of the fish oil to ensure that it meets established quality specifications.

During manufacturing, minimizing exposure to oxygen and ensuring appropriate storage conditions are essential to preserving the freshness of Omega-3 oils. Careful handling, suitable storage temperatures, and avoiding unnecessary extended storage periods all contribute to maintaining product quality.

What Is a Good TOTOX Value for Omega-3 Fish Oil?

Internationally recognized industry standards, including those established by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), specify the following maximum oxidation values:

• Peroxide Value (PV): Maximum 5 mEq/kg
• Anisidine Value (AV): Maximum 20
• TOTOX Value: Maximum 26

The premium Omega-3 fish oil used by MCS Formulas has a TOTOX value below 5, as reported by our ingredient manufacturing partner. This is substantially below the internationally recognized maximum of 26 and demonstrates the exceptionally low oxidation level of our fish oil ingredient.

A TOTOX value above 26 exceeds the established industry quality limit and indicates an undesirable level of oxidation. Conversely, a TOTOX value below 20 generally indicates a relatively low level of oxidation, with lower values being preferable when evaluating Omega-3 fish oil freshness.

References

1. Omega 3 fatty acids such as DHA from ALA in aging
   https://www.plefa.com/article/S0952‐3278(06)00090‐1/fulltext
2. EFSA evaluation on EPA and DHA and its beneficial effect on cardiovascular system
   http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/1796.pdf
3. Recent Clinical Trials Shed New Light on the Cardiovascular Benefits of Omega‐3 Fatty Acids
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6822654/