Discussion
A variety of N3PUFA preparations are marketed internationally, varying in biomass source, e.g. fish liver or body oil, krill, or microalgal extracts and concentrates. Among FBO N3PUFA dosage forms displaying high percentages of EPA and DHA, the process of enrichment and concentration often employs transesterification and subsequent re-esterification into triglycerides (rTG). Re-esterification may not be a high fidelity process, resulting in FBO concentrates with variable percentages of rTGs and residual EEs [Several long-term (≥ 12 weeks) studies have described varying bioavailability of EE forms of N3PUFA, relative to rTG forms [These results may be partly explained by differences in the intestinal processing and absorption mechanics of TGs and EEs. Intraluminal digestion, micelle formation, transmembrane transport and enterocyte processing within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) have been extensively studied and reviewed over the past 5 decades [Digestion and absorption of chemically modified EE LCFA appears to differ from natural dietary TGs or LCFA such as EPA and DHA. Removal of the synthetic ethyl group (CHThe first critique of our study is the modest inequity of daily EPA and DHA dose from each test product, given that the UO group consumed 125 mg more per day of both EPA and DHA than the M3 group. The treatment selection was guided by the intention to compare two bulk oils with high but varying %rTG content. We elected to have the bulk oils encapsulated in the same facility and in an identical manner (antioxidants, flavor, soft-gel capsule size), and to dispense an identical daily capsule count so as to minimize unblinding of both subjects and investigators. Because the %N3PUFA content in M3 was slightly less than in UO, the daily amount of N3PUFA ingested differed marginally between groups. Although this marginal difference would not be expected to drastically change the results, future studies should attempt to more precisely match EPA and DHA levels.Another critique of our study is the absence of dietary n-3 FA intake data collected 