EcoSmart DHA 500 is a calamari-based fish oil that promises to improve the health of your heart, brain, and vision. It’s sold by Carlson Labs, which was founded in 1960s Chicago, over fifty years ago. Currently they reside in Arlington Heights, one of the city’s suburbs.
The company claims to be very quality-centric, using only the freshest, purest, award-winning ingredients. Their slogan is “Choose quality. Choose Carlson.” And it looks like they’re dedicated to keeping that a reality. Carlson Laboratories offers at least 250 products, including fish oils and vitamin supplements for your nutritional needs, no matter who you are.
1) What is EcoSmart DHA 500?
Like many of Carlson’s fish oil supplements, this contains 1000 mg of fish oil. The unique part of this product is the fact that the oil comes from squid instead of a more traditional fish. Many fish oils are extracted from anchovy, sardine, or another common fish. This is because fish are an excellent source of high quality Omega-3s, essential fatty acids for brain and heart health. Some Omegas also bring benefits to your eyes and joints.
2) What’s Inside EcoSmart DHA 500?
EcoSmart DHA 500 contains the following ingredients: Vitamin E Natural (d-Alpha Tocopherol), Norwegian Calamari Oil, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), Natural Lemon Flavor, Mixed Tocopherols, Beef Gelatin, Water.
3) Is EcoSmart DHA 500 Right for You?
EcoSmart contains 1000 mg of calamari oil and 10 IU of Vitamin E. This includes 550 mg of DHA and EPA, essential long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids. They are more commonly found in oil extracted from tuna, cod, and other deep-sea fish. In this case, there isn’t the biggest difference between calamari and another fish, as you’re still getting the same benefits.
Individual needs of Omega-3s varies by age. For children under the age of 5, along with women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, they need more DHA than EPA. After that, increases in EPA intake are recommended until the age of 65, where increased DHA can stave off the loss of brain tissue. Low EPA levels correlate with heart problems, joint and bone conditions, mental health issues, and more. Keeping your body adequately supplied with EPA can help prevent long-lasting chronic illness. Among the young and elderly, DHA is generally used to help your central nervous system and cognitive development.
Since EcoSmart has a lot of DHA but almost no EPA, it might not be your first choice of Carlson fish oil, as the formula isn’t tailored to serve most people. The unique selling point here is the fact that it uses eco-friendly highly-sustainable calamari for Omega-3s, which are probably farmed, instead of dealing with deep-sea fishing.
4) EcoSmart DHA 500 Claims
- 500 mg of DHA in the 1000 mg of calamari oil. This promotes development in young and unborn children, particularly within the central nervous system. It can also help prevent the loss of brain tissue in older people.
- Doesn’t have the usual taste of a fish oil, because of the calamari and natural lemon flavors.
5) What You Need to Know Before Taking EcoSmart DHA 500
- Only 50 mg EPA in their 550 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids. This means EcoSmart DHA 500 will be most effective for pregnant or nursing mothers, children under the age of 5, and those over the age of 65.
6) How Much Does EcoSmart DHA 500 Cost?
When you order bottles, each comes in a 60 or 120 day supply. This puts EcoSmart DHA in the low to medium price range. It’s inexpensive overall, but compared to other Carlson products, it’s higher than average. Carlson Labs has extensive distribution and you can find their products in stores all over the USA along with online retailers such as Amazon. This often means free shipping, reducing the cost further.
7) Suggested Use
EcoSmart DHA 500 is, well, a DHA product. Each serving contains 500 mg of DHA and not much in the way of other Omega-3s like EPA. While this is often a good thing, it means most people won’t need EcoSmart as much as other fish oil supplements. Most people fall into the 5-65 age range, where EPA is more desirable than DHA. If you’re a mother, pregnant or nursing, a child below the age of 5, or you’re above the age of 65, then you’ll mainly want DHA. If you do fit into one of those categories, this is probably the product for you. It’ll fit your needs and bring all the benefits of fish oil.
8) Our Final Take On EcoSmart DHA 500
EcoSmart DHA 500 is a needs-based supplement. It can work for everyone, but it’s most effective only within certain groups. For these groups, it’s clear that Carlson has researched their formula well, because it can be very effective. Fish oil in general is always a benefit for those who don’t eat much seafood in their regular lives. Fish is known as a brain food because of its many benefits, most of which stem from the long-chain fatty acids like DHA and EPA. In this case, EcoSmart DHA 500 is a great high-quality product, as we’re used to seeing from Carlson Labs, but not quite a “one size fits all” type of solution.