 | A good source of omega 3 and omega 6, essential fatty acids (EFAs) necessary for optimal health, maintaining cell structure and producing energy |
| Contains 440 mg gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA improves circulation and hormone balance—a great choice for women with PMS symptoms |
| Borage is more than twice as potent in GLA as evening primrose oil—making it an economical alternative |
| Organically grown and processed |
| Unrefined |
| SpectraVac Cold Pressed® to protect the oil from the consequences of oxygen, light and heat |
| Protectively packaged in 100% inert black plastic and hermetically sealed with an inner and outer closure |
| (sizes sold) |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
There are about 50 essential elements our bodies require for everyday health and longevity. They are considered “essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture them; we must acquire them from our diet.
Most of these essential elements are vitamins, minerals and amino acids, but two are the essential fatty acids known as omega 3 and omega 6. Borage Oil contains about 40% omega 6, and is an excellent source of this vital nutrient.
Vegetarian Borage Oil has been likened to its popular counterpart Evening Primrose Oil (EPO). They are both excellent sources of gamma linolenic acid (GLA). They have each been the subject of numerous studies on their beneficial effect on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), inflammation, arthritis, high cholesterol and blood pressure.
GLA plays an important role in the body’s first step in converting omega 6 into series one prostaglandin (PG1). PG1’s job is to keep the blood moving smoothly. When healthy blood flows through the body, inflammation, high blood pressure, and some PMS symptoms are reduced.
In most healthy individuals, this conversion process (omega 6 to GLA to PG1) happens automatically. However, about 20% of the population cannot convert omega 6 into GLA effectively, and therefore must supplement through diet. This makes GLA-rich Borage Oil a prized therapeutic lipid.
What many consumers do not realize, is that Borage Oil is a much more economical source of GLA than Evening Primrose Oil. This is because EPO contains about 10% GLA whereas Borage Oil contains up to 24% GLA. This is particularly important for anyone needing GLA for therapeutic reasons.
The degree of benefit a consumer experiences with Borage Oil and Evening Primrose Oil will vary. This is due to the many other phyto- (or plant-based) compounds present in these oils. Therefore, some experimentation is recommended to determine which herbal oil performs better.
Borage contains additional nutritional lipids such as phospholipids, sterols and other active phyto-compounds. Independent medical research indicates these compounds are significant immune system and cell builders.
For minimum nutritional benefit, two capsules per meal per day is suggested. Higher levels may be needed depending on your unique therapeutic needs. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
Borage (Borago officinalis), yields star shaped, periwinkle-blue flowers. The flowers produce a dark, oil-rich seed that contains valuable therapeutic lipids (oils). The seed pod typically contains about 25% oil content. The plant blooms throughout the growing period, dropping seeds as the flowers wither. The leaves of the plant are also popular for medicinal teas.
Spectrum is proud to deliver an organic Borage Oil of the highest quality. The Borage seed used in our oils is from southern Canada and grown organically in rich soils of the Great Plains Region along the North Dakota and Montana borders.
Borage is a delicate oil requiring protection from excessive processing. SpectraVac is a highly evolved processing method which extracts oil at cold pressing temperatures (under 120° F) and eliminates the destructive effects of light, heat, and oxygen. SpectraVac also eliminates soil-born bacteria called mycrobacteria, thus insuring a level of purity and food safety that no other manufacturer has been able to achieve.
| A rich source of essential fatty acids necessary for everyday health and longevity, maintaining cell structure and producing energy |
| Formulated fatty acid blend with the ideal EFA ratio—3:1 omega 6 to omega 3—the perfect balance for long term supplementation for those who have corrected their omega 3 deficiencies |
| Source of important nutrients such as tocopherols, phytosterols and beta-sistosterin, as well as phospholipids, which aid in the digestion of fats |
| An economic alternative to hemp seed oil (also 3:1 ratio) |
| SpectraVac cold processed to protect oil from consequences of oxygen, light and heat |
| Protectively packaged in 100% inert black plastic and hermetically sealed with an inner and outer closure |
| (sizes sold) |
Contains:
| Organic unrefined soy oil—a rich vegetarian source of great tasting omega 6 |
| Organic unrefined flax oil—the most concentrated source of omega 3 fatty acids found in nature |
| Expeller pressed unrefined wheat germ oil—high in tocopherols and a superior source of Vitamin E |
| Organic unrefined borage oil—more than twice as potent in GLA as evening primrose oil—making it an economical alternative |
| Lecithin—a good source of phospholipids for cell membrane strength |
| Natural antioxidants—ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and rosemary |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
There are about 50 essential elements our bodies require for everyday health and longevity. They are considered “essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture them; we must acquire them from the diet.
Most are vitamins, minerals and amino acids, but two are the essential fatty acids known as omega 3 and omega 6. The six components of this potent blend of essential fatty acids and vitamin-rich oils create a one-stop nutritional powerhouse that makes long term EFA supplementation simple.
The powerful therapeutic and nutritional oils that make up Essential Max provide the optimum ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 (1:3) for long-term metabolic absorption and uptake. The oils are blended in a complementary ratio that matches the body’s specific lipid needs. This strategic nutritional feature is the key to maximum lipid utilization and benefit.
The components of Essential Max are:
| Organic Unrefined Soy Oil—a rich, vegetarian source of great tasting omega 6s |
| Organic Unrefined Flax Oil—the most concentrated source of omega 3 fatty acids found in nature |
| Expeller Pressed Unrefined Wheat Germ—high in tocopherols and a superior source of Vitamin E |
| Organic Unrefined Borage Oil—more than twice as potent in GLA as evening primrose oil |
| Lecithin—a good source of phospholipids for cell membrane strength |
| Natural Antioxidants—oil soluble ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and rosemary which prevents oxidation |
Nutritionists report that EFA supplementation may result in the following benefits:
| smoother skin |
| improved immunity |
| better energy/reduced fatigue |
| quicker wound healing |
| less anxiety or stress |
| improved hormonal regulation |
| lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and many other benefits |
Once omega 3 deficiencies have been overcome with flax oil (after one to two years), many people benefit from a change to this EFA ratio for long term supplementation. Essential Max EFA Oil Blend with its 1:3 omega 3 to omega 6 ratio is ideal. Supplement daily with 1 1/2 tablespoons per 100 lbs. of body weight. It is best taken with meals. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
The soybeans from which our soy oil is extracted are grown organically in the midwestern region of the United States and should not be confused with common varieties of soybeans. Our high grade bean is grown on small organic farms from non-genetically modified heritage seed stock and yields a delicate nutty-flavored oil.
Our patented flax seed, Spectraflax, is grown organically along the USA/Canada border. Flax needs long cold winters and short hot summers with long days of sunlight to generate the high ratio of omega 3 fatty acids that make this such a dense source of EFAs. The states and provinces of North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta with their black, fertile soils are the prime growing regions and deliver a very potent form of flax oil.
The wheat germ oil is extracted in Switzerland in a cold pressing method and is of the highest quality.
The source for our organic borage seed is the same organic farms that produce our flax seed.
The lecithin is a high-grade pharmaceutical quality and is extracted in the midwestern United States.
Spectravac technology protects the nutritional integrity of all our oils. SpectraVac is a highly evolved processing method which extracts oil at cold pressing temperatures (under 120 °F) and eliminates the destructive effects of light, heat and oxygen. SpectraVac also eliminates soil-born bacteria called mycobacteria thus insuring a level of purity and food safety that no other manufacturer has been able to achieve.
©Spectrum Essentials January, 1997
| A good source of omega 3 and omega 6, essential fatty acids (EFAs) necessary for optimal health, maintaining cell structure and producing energy |
| Contains about 72% (1.1 g) omega 6, and 9% (135 mg) gamma linolenic acid (GLA), which improves circulation and hormonal balance, making it a great choice for women with PMS symptoms |
| Unrefined and cold expeller pressed |
| Protectively packaged in 100% inert black plastic and hermetically sealed with an inner and outer closure |
| (sizes sold) |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
There are about 50 essential elements our bodies require for everyday health and longevity. They are considered “essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture them; we must acquire them from the diet.
Most of these essential elements are vitamins, minerals and amino acids, but two are essential fatty acids known as omega 3 and omega 6.
Vegetarian Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is best known for its success in relieving Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). It has also been nutritionally useful in the treatment of arthritis, high blood pressure and cholesterol. This is due to the rich (72%) omega 6 and (9%) gamma linolenic acid (GLA) content.
GLA plays an important role in the body’s first step in converting omega 6 to series one prostaglandin (PG1). PG1’s job is to keep the blood thin and moving smoothly. When healthy blood flows through the body, inflammation, high blood pressure, and some PMS symptoms are reduced.
In most healthy individuals, this conversion process (omega 6 to GLA to PG1) happens automatically. However, about 20% of the population cannot convert omega 6 into GLA effectively, and therefore must supplement through diet. This makes GLA-rich Evening Primrose Oil a prized therapeutic lipid.
Clinical studies on EPO suggest it reduces inflammation and alleviates some forms of hormonal stress. This nutritional property, in conjunction with the presence of other phyto (or plant-based) nutrients, makes EPO an attractive source of hormone builders. EPO also contains other nutritional lipids such as phospholipids, sterols, and other active phyto-compounds. Independent medical research indicates these compounds are significant immune system and cell builders.
Some consumers experience better results with Evening Primrose Oil rather than Borage Oil, another GLA-rich oil. This is attributed to the many other phyto-compounds present in these oils. Therefore, some experimentation is recommended to determine which oil performs better.
For minimum nutritional benefits, three capsules per meal per day is suggested. Higher levels may be taken depending on your unique therapeutic needs. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis) is pressed from the mature seeds of the Evening Primrose flower, a common perennial in many English and eastern American gardens. It has a very ancient history as a flowering ornamental herb. The dried flowers and seeds of the plant are popular for medicinal teas. At maturity, the bright lemon-yellow flower yields a small oil-rich seed that contains valuable therapeutic lipids. The seed pods typically contain about 12% oil content. The Evening Primrose seed used for Spectrum oils is from Eastern Europe.
EPO is a delicate oil which deteriorates easily if not carefully processed and handled. Spectrum Essentials’ Evening Primrose Oil is expeller pressed, which utilizes a screw-type machine. The seed is pressed, and oil seeps through metal barrel slats that have small spacings to allow oil to pass through without any seed fiber solids.
There are no solvent residues (such as hexane or other petroleum-based distillants) remaining in the oil or involved in the processing.
©Spectrum Essentials January, 1997
| A rich source of essential fatty acids necessary for everyday health and longevity, maintaining cell structure and producing energy |
| The most concentrated vegetarian source of omega 3 fatty acids found in nature (about 50% omega 3) |
| Source of important nutrients such as phytosterols and beta-sistosterin, as well as phospholipids, which aid in the digestion of fats |
| Contains two times more omega 3 than fish oil at a fraction of the price |
| Ounce per ounce, the absolute best omega 3 value on the market |
| Unrefined, organically grown and processed |
| SpectraVac Cold Pressed® to protect oil from consequences of oxygen, light and heat |
| Protectively packaged in 100% inert black plastic and hermetically sealed with an inner and outer closure |
| (sizes sold) |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
There are about 50 essential elements our bodies require for everyday health and longevity. They are considered “essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture them; we must acquire them from the diet.
Most of these essential elements are vitamins, minerals and amino acids, but two are the essential fatty acids known as omega 3 and omega 6. Omega 3 is regarded by many nutritionists and researchers as a leading therapeutic oil because of its importance in aiding the body to maintain healthy cell structure, promote metabolic energy and enhance immune function. However, most of the population, (about 80%), is believed to be deficient in omega 3.
Vegetarian flax oil is one of the richest sources of omega 3, containing twice the density found in salmon—a familiar source of omega 3. Flax is also rich in phospholipids which form cell membranes, promote nerve insulation, and improve immunity. Flax also provides sterols which are precursors to many hormonal constituents such as estrogen and testosterone.
Nutritionists have reported that supplementation with flax may result in the following benefits: smoother skin, improved immunity, better energy/less fatigue, quicker wound healing, less anxiety or stress, improved hormonal regulation, lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and many other health benefits. Because omega 3 is easily digested and put to work immediately when taken as directed, it does not convert to stored fat.
Since most Americans suffer omega 3 deficiencies, flax oil is the recommended starter oil for initial supplementation providing the body with a 3:1 ratio of omega 3s to omega 6s. Supplement daily with 1 tablespoon per 100 lbs. of body weight. It is best taken with meals. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
Supplement daily with 1 tablespoon per 100 pounds of body weight. Best taken with meals.
Flax seed, botanically called Linum usitatissimum, means “most useful plant” in Latin. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants dating back to the ancient civilizations of the Middle East. The people used the fiber to make linen clothing, the oil to light lamps as well as for culinary purposes. Tea was made from the flax roots.
Our patented seed, Spectraflax, is grown organically along the USA/Canada border. Flax needs long cold winters and short hot summers with long days of sunlight to generate the high ratio of omega 3 fatty acids that make it such a dense source of EFAs. The states and provinces of North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta with their black, fertile soils are the prime growing regions and deliver a very potent form of flax oil.
Flax oil is an extremely delicate oil which deteriorates easily if not specially processed and handled. SpectraVac is a highly evolved processing method which extracts oil at cold pressing temperatures (under 120° F) and eliminates the destructive effects of light, heat, and oxygen. SpectraVac also eliminates soil-born bacteria called mycobacteria thus insuring a level of purity and food safety that no other manufacturer has been able to achieve.
The result is the best tasting oil available!
©Spectrum Essentials January, 1997
| A rich source of essential fatty acids necessary for everyday health and longevity, maintaining cell structure and producing energy |
| The most concentrated vegetarian source of omega 3 fatty acids found in nature (about 50% omega 3) |
| Source of important nutrients such as phytosterols and beta-sistosterin, as well as phospholipids, which aid in the digestion of fats |
| Contains two times more omega 3 than fish oil at a fraction of the price |
| Ounce per ounce, the absolute best omega 3 value on the market |
| Unrefined, organically grown and processed |
| SpectraVac Cold Pressed® to protect oil from consequences of oxygen, light, and heat |
Plus
| The added punch of phyto-compounds called lignans (soluble and insoluble fiber) which serve as valuable toxin binders |
| Protectively packaged in 100% inert black plastic and hermetically sealed with an inner and outer closure |
| (sizes sold) |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
There are about 50 essential elements our bodies require for everyday health and longevity. They are considered “essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture them; we must acquire them from the diet. Most of these essential elements are vitamins, minerals and amino acids but two are the essential fatty acids, known as omega 3 and omega 6.
Omega 3 is regarded by many nutritionists and researchers as a leading therapeutic oil because of its importance in aiding the body to maintain healthy cell structure, promote metabolic energy and enhance immune function. However, most of the population (about 80%) is believed to be deficient in omega 3.
Vegetarian flax oil is one of the richest sources of omega 3, containing twice the density found in salmon—a familiar source of omega 3. Flax is rich in phospholipids which form cell membranes, promote nerve insulation, and improve immunity. Flax also provides sterols which are precursors to many hormonal constituents such as estrogen and testosterone.
Plant lignans are soluble and insoluble fibers found in high fiber foods such as flax seed. The lignans in flax are the richest source found in nature at 100 times the density of other sources such as wheat, oats and barley. Researchers have found plant lignans enhance immune system functioning and may work to reduce tumor development. Lignans found in flax oil are classed as phenolic compounds. They form a fibrous chain which act as toxin repositories for insoluble and spent wastes in the intestinal tract and colon. Research has shown that patients with breast or colon cancers measure a dramatic lowering of lignan content in bodily wastes, suggesting that phenolic lignan compounds act to assist in modulating immunological response and detoxification of multiple metabolic processes.
While some may not care for the slightly grittier flavor and texture of high lignan flax oil, research indicates this oil can offer substantial benefits. Nutritionists have reported that supplementation with flax may result in the following benefits:
| smoother skin |
| improved immunity |
| better energy/less fatigue |
| quicker wound healing |
| less anxiety or stress |
| improved hormonal regulation |
| lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and many other health benefits |
Because omega 3 is easily assimilated and put to work immediately, it does not convert to stored fat when taken as directed.
Since most Americans suffer omega 3 deficiencies, flax oil is the recommended starter oil for initial supplementation providing the body with a 3:1 ratio of omega 3s to omega 6s.
Supplement daily with 1 tablespoon per 100 lbs. of body weight. It is best taken with meals. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
Flax seed, botanically called Linum usitatissimum, means “most useful plant” in Latin. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants dating back to ancient civilizations of the Middle East. People used the fiber to make linen clothing and the oil to light lamps as well as for culinary purposes. The roots were used for tea.
Our patented flax seed, Spectraflax, is grown organically along the USA/Canada border. Flax needs long cold winters and short hot summers with long days of sunlight to generate the high ratio of omega 3 fatty acids that make it such a dense source of EFAs. The states and provinces of North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta with their black, fertile soils are the prime growing regions and deliver a very potent form of flax oil.
Flax oil is an extremely delicate oil which deteriorates easily if not specially
processed and handled. SpectraVac is a highly evolved processing method which extracts oil
at cold pressing temperatures (under 120° F) and eliminates the destructive effects of
light, heat, and oxygen. SpectraVac also eliminates soil-born bacteria called mycobacteria
thus insuring a level of purity and food safety that no other manufacturer has been able
to achieve.
The result is the best tasting oil available!
©Spectrum Essentials January, 1997
| A rich source of essential fatty acids necessary for everyday health and longevity, maintaining cell structure and producing energy |
| The most concentrated vegetarian source of omega 3 fatty acids found in nature (about 50% omega 3) |
| Source of important nutrients such as phytosterols and beta-sistosterin, as well as phospholipids, which aid in the digestion of fats |
| Contains two times more omega 3 than fish oil at a fraction of the price |
| Ounce per ounce, the absolute best omega 3 value on the market |
| Unrefined, organically grown and processed |
| SpectraVac Cold Pressed® to protect oil from consequences of oxygen, light, and heat Plus |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
©Spectrum Essentials January, 1997
| A rich source of essential fatty acids necessary for everyday health and longevity, maintaining cell structure and producing energy |
| Nature's best nutritionally balanced oil—3:1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3, the ideal balance for those who have corrected their omega 3 deficiencies |
| Pleasant, nutty flavor |
| Long shelf life—1 year |
| As rich in chlorophyll as olive oil |
| Rich in active phospholipids and sterols—promoting cell membrane regeneration and improved immunity |
| Free of active THC |
| Unrefined |
| SpectraVac Cold Pressed® to protect oil from consequences of oxygen, light, and heat |
| Protectively packaged in 100% inert black plastic and hermetically sealed with an inner and outer closure |
| (sizes sold) |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
There are about 50 essential elements our bodies require for everyday health and longevity. They are considered “essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture them; we must ac.quire them from the diet.
Most of these essential elements are vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, but two are the essential fatty acids known as omega 3 and omega 6. Hemp oil is nature’s most perfectly balanced EFA oil from a nutritional point of view. Its optimum ratio of the omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids (1:3) provides the necessary EFAs for long term health.
Hemp oil owes its rich green color to a high chlorophyll content. It also has phospholipids and sterols in an active form that promote regeneration of cell membranes and provide improved immunity.
Nutritionists report that supplementation with hemp oil may result in the following benefits:
| smoother skin |
| improved immunity |
| better energy/reduced fatigue |
| quicker wound healing |
| less anxiety or stress |
| improved hormonal regulation |
| lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and many other benefits |
Because omega 6 is easily digested and put to work immediately, it does not convert to stored fat when taken as directed.
Because Hemp oil has no active THC, tetracanabinols—the active element that makes hemp a narcotic, it is perfectly legal.
Once omega 3 deficiencies have been overcome with flax oil (after one to two years), it may be time to change the EFA ratio for long term supplementation. Hemp oil with its 1:3 omega 3 to omega 6 ratio is ideal.
Supplement daily with 1 1/2 tablespoons per 100 pounds of body weight. It is best taken with meals. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
Hemp oil is one of the oldest cultivated plants and has followed civilizations as they moved around the globe. Jute and hemp fibers were the mainstay of many cultures and used for cloth, sails, and ropes. Since the 1930s hemp oil has been highly regarded as a healing oil.
Our seeds are imported from Eastern Europe and Chile where hemp is widely grown to produce cloth and rope fiber. The seeds are steamed to prevent germination, and from that time on they can be used for oil production without further concern from the authorities.
Hemp oil is processed using SpectraVac technology to protect its nutritional density. SpectraVac is a highly evolved processing method which extracts oil at cold pressing temperatures (under 120° F) and eliminates the destructive effects of light, heat and oxygen. SpectraVac also eliminates soil-born bacteria called mycobacteria thus insuring a level of purity and food safety that no other manufacturer has been able to achieve.
©Spectrum Essentials January, 1997
| A good source of omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids (EFAs) necessary for optimum health, maintaining cell structure, and producing energy |
| Rich in omega 3, the EFA in which most Americans (about 80%) are deficient |
| Marine sources of omega 3, such as Norwegian Fish Oil, convert to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), long chain fatty acids beneficial for immune and brain functions, learning disabilities and healthy blood chemistry |
| Norwegian Fish Oil contains a healthy ratio of 18% EPA and 12% DHA, about the same ratio as our brain tissue |
| From pristine arctic waters, Norwegian Fish Oil derives its omega 3 from salmon, menhaden, cod and mackerel |
| Processed using state-of-the-art refrigeration and preservation methods, rapidly removing the valuable lipids, to a standard uniformity and nutritional density |
| Convenient gelatin capsules with light protective coating—needs no refrigeration or preparation |
| Protectively packaged in 100% inert black plastic and hermetically sealed with an inner and outer closure |
| (sizes sold) |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
There are about 50 essential elements our bodies require for everyday health and longevity. They are considered “essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture them; we must acquire them from the diet.
Most of these essential elements are vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, but two are the essential fatty acids known as omega 3 and omega 6.
Because the brain is made up of approximately 50% fat (about 33% from cholesterol and about 15% from EFAs), omega 3 rich fish, like salmon has long been considered “brain food.” Furthermore, marine omega 3 is the precursor, or “parent” of two other very powerful brain fat compounds called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Independent medical research indicates that fish oils, rich in EPA and DHA, have had beneficial effects on immune function, learning disabilities and healthy blood chemistry. Spectrum Essentials Norwegian Fish Oil contains a very healthy ratio of 18% EPA and 12% DHA. This is about the same ratio as our brain tissue. The presence of these potent nutritional brain and organ compounds makes this product the ultimate “thinker's oil.”
Fish oil influences numerous metabolic functions such as reduced inflammation and improved hormonal production, alleviating our response to daily stress. The omega 3 in fish oil plays an important role in the maintenance of blood hormones called prostaglandins. The high densities of prostaglandin series 3 (PG3s) produced by marine-based omega 3, keep the blood flowing smoothly and maintain our immune system at optimum levels.
For minimum nutritional benefit, two capsules per meal per day, is suggested. Higher levels may be needed depending on your unique therapeutic needs. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
Norwegian Fish Oil is derived from four varieties of arctic and northern deep water fish; salmon, menhaden, cod, and mackerel. This region is known for its pristine waters. As with all of Spectrum Essentials products, we ensure the highest possible purity and quality standards.
Marine oils are processed using state-of-the-art refrigeration and preservation methods. The fresh fish is rapidly processed to mechanically remove the lipid (or marine fat). The oils are filtered to a standard uniformity and nutritional density. Spectrum Norwegian Fish Oil is not hydrogenated and no hexane or chemical adjuncts are utilized.
©Spectrum Essentials January, 1997
| An excellent source of natural Vitamin E, no synthetics—1 tablespoon provides 65 IU of Vitamin E—twice the USRDA |
| Rich in octacosanol—a potent source of energy prized by athletes |
| Rich in naturally occurring antioxidants including beta carotene |
| Contains naturally occurring phosphatides and phytosterols which assist in the digestion of fats |
| Expeller pressed without the use of chemical solvents often found in wheat germ oil |
| Nutty fresh flavor |
| Cold pressed and unrefined |
| Protectively packaged in 100% inert black plastic and hermetically sealed with an inner and outer closure to protect oil from consequences of oxygen, light, and heat |
| Kosher |
| (sizes sold) |
The information herein is not intended as curative or prescriptive advice. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
Wheat germ oil is the original health oil popularized by the growing natural foods movement in the 1940s. Extracted from whole grains of wheat, it is nature’s densest source of naturally occurring Vitamin E and mixed tocopherols. Wheat germ oil provides the most balanced source of natural antioxidants available in nature. It is also composed of approximately 63% Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) — 5% omega 3 and 58% omega 6.
The wheat germ, where the oils reside, is the most potent part of the wheat grain. Because wheat germ is a low fat seed, with only 7-12% fat content, it takes a great deal of effort to extract the oil mechanically. Most manufacturers use solvents because of the increased yields but this process lowers the quality of the oil which can be seen by the muddier color and flat flavor.
Premium cold pressed wheat germ oil is a rich deep orange color with a mild, nutty flavor. It has a full balance of mixed tocopherols from which Vitamin E is derived. Gamma, Beta, and d-Alpha tocopherols are all present in the oil. This means the Vitamin E is much more bioavailable than the synthetic versions which are cheaper and of dubious nutritional benefit. Gamma tocopherols are free radical scavengers that give wheat germ oil its potent antioxidant qualities.
Wheat germ oil is high in octocosanols and is the only natural source. Octacosanols are believed to help athletes increase endurance and lower oxygen depletion. Research has also shown octacosanols may be helpful in cholesterol management and neurological disorders.
Supplement daily with 1 tablespoon per 100 lbs. of body weight. It is best taken with meals. A competent health care practitioner can recommend the best therapeutic levels for you based on lifestyle and general health.
Wheat germ is extracted from wheat grown and processed in Switzerland. The germ is defatted using a mechanical process at cold temperatures. The deep color and nutty flavor indicate the exceptionally high quality of the germ.
Wheat germ oil is well respected by health conscious consumers aware of its nutritional virtues, but not all wheat germ oils are equally healthy.
The appropriate uses of fats and oils in a healthy diet has made front page news in the last five years. The U.S. Surgeon General’s report in 1989 implicated some fats as detrimental to health, and identified others as extremely beneficial. Dr. Everet Koop’s report suggested that we Americans eliminate or reduce our consumption of saturated fats, such as those found in tropical oils and animal fats. Koop’s report praised, on the other hand, supplement oils, such as wheat germ oil, for their Vitamin E and essential fatty acid content.
Wheat germ oil first gained recognition as a “super food” in the 1940s, when Dr. A.T. Milhorat reported a correlation between wheat germ oil consumption and improved nervous system efficiency, along with better cholesterol management. In the 1950s, Dr. T.K. Cureton, director of Physical Fitness at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, began a series of clinical experiments on men who ranged in age from the late teens to the late fifties. His studies continued over a twenty year period, and in 1972, Dr. Cureton reported having found impressive the “erogenic” or work-producing energy released from wheat germ oil. The consumption of wheat germ oil, he found, substantially increased endurance and oxygen utilization, and reduced lactic acid build up in muscle tissues (a known fatiguing factor in athletes).
The elements of wheat germ oil responsible for these metabolic enhancements are Vitamin E, which is naturally present in the oil in high concentrations, and a naturally occurring alcohol compound called octacosanol. Octacosanol is a relatively rare nutrient, found in small amounts in the green leafy portions of alfalfa, and in very large amounts in wheat and especially in the oils of the wheat seed.
Wheat germ oil also contains phospholipids and phytosterols, compounds that help metabolize or break down oils for easier absorption. This “super food” is also rich in antioxidants, such as the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma tocopherols.
All oils provide energy in the form of kilocalories. Spectrum Essentials Wheat Germ Oil is a health bargain: few oils have as many naturally constituted nutritional properties.
While all wheat germ oils are generally speaking “good for you,” they are not all alike. There are important differences among manufacturers in how wheat germ oil is made, differences that can have major repercussions on health. Unfortunately, it is the manufacturers who practice “good” (i.e., aggressive) marketing rather than exemplary science who win battles for shelf space through their mass appeal.
Despite our effort, the phrase “cold pressed,” and the equally confusing term “cold processed,” are still misused on labels. Both terms are meaningless without some technical clarification regarding oil production processes.
Only two options currently exist for extracting oil from wheat germ. The most common commercial method is solvent extraction. This process employs hexane, a gasoline-like petroleum distillant. The method used in producing Spectrum Essentials Wheat Germ Oil, on the other hand, is simple mechanical (expeller) pressing, which uses physical crushers to squeeze the oil out. This process yields much lower quantities of oil from the same weight of seed (or germ plasm), but uses no chemicals whatsoever.
Mechanical (expeller) pressing is rarely used in big, profit-focused manufacturing plants because of its lower yields. To begin with, wheat germ is lower in oil, typically just six to eight percent, and at the very most ten percent by volume. Even the most efficient mechanical extraction methods is substantially less efficient, leaving a large amount of the oil left in the germ fibers. Such an outcome is hardly an inducement to business-minded processors to use a non-chemical means of extraction that would produce less for bottling. The result is an oil industry built on solvent and chemical extraction methods.
Chemical processing for profitability is one thing, but unknown to most consumers is the fact that manufacturers of unrefined solvent-processed oils fail to fully “flash off” (or vaporize) all of the petroleum solvents in the oils. Consequently, unrefined, solvent-extracted oils always contain some petroleum residues. For example, an independent laboratory using test standards of the American Oil Chemists Society recently found the following residues in a commercial bottle of “cold processed” unrefined wheat germ oil:
| 570 parts per billion (ppb) of benzene |
| 539 ppb of hexane |
| 9561 ppb of n. pentane |
| 348 ppb of cyclo-hexane |
| 420 ppb of methyl cyclopentane |
This wheat germ oil was a “solvent soup” containing 11,438 ppb of chemical agents listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens!
Even though products labeled “cold processed” and “unrefined” sound healthy, oils produced by these methods can be laced with solvent residues. The claim of a “cold process” for “unrefined oils” is literally correct, because the product is not exposed to the heat associated with typical oil refining, but the health benefits of such an oil are compromised by the carcinogenic by-products of processing with petroleum solvents, defeating the idea of a healthy supplement oil.
Spectrum Naturals’ position is that processing of any foodstuff with hexane, or any other petroleum solvent, does not equate to good health! Period.
The unrefined wheat germ oil sold under the Spectrum Essentials label is extracted without petroleum solvent because it is mechanically (expeller) pressed. Our wheat germ oil is unique in that it is made by an expeller process that uses water-jacketed presses to keep operating temperatures down. The result is a low yield of an extraordinarily high quality oil.
How can we afford to market such an oil? The “trick” is in pre-manufacture ingenuity. Specifically, the mechanical extraction process employed in producing the oil also simultaneously produces partially defatted wheat germ flakes, a health product popular with many consumers. Thus, efficient planning and two-for-one processing, rather than potentially carcinogenic chemicals, make wholesome, unrefined wheat germ oil available to Spectrum Essentials customers.
You can count on integrity behind the Spectrum Essentials label.
References
© Spectrum Essentials January 1997
