Mums & Bumps Omega 3 Fish Oil

Bare Biology Mums & Bumps Omega 3, formerly Bump & Glory DHA Omega 3 Fish Oil, fish oil supplement provides Omega-3 fish oil rich in DHA which is vital during pregnancy.  A healthy diet is vital during pregnancy and should include oily fish which is critical as it contains DHA. DHA during pregnancy is the building block of our brains and eyes. This Bare Biology fish oil supplement provides 560mg of DHA in one capsule, more than a whole tin of sardines, and will support every stage from pre-conception, to pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.

Bare Biology DHA during Pregnancy Benefits: 

• Perfect for pre-conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Highest available concentration of 560mg DHA balanced with 40mg EPA
• Fish gelatin capsules and fresh oil ensures no after taste
• Does not contain Vitamin A (unlike cod liver oil)
• Natural triglyceride form for optimum absorbency

Directions: As a food supplement, take one Mums & Bumps Pure Omega 3 fish oil capsule daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional.  Best taken with meals - this helps your body absorb the omega-3.

Allergy advice: contains fish. While this fish oil is safe to take, you should check with your doctor before taking this supplement if you are on medication, such as blood thinners, are about to have surgery or have health concerns.  Those taking warfarin or aspirin prescribed by their doctor are typically advised not to take omega-3 fish oil in its concentrated form as a supplement. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use. 

Fish oil from sardine, anchovy & mackerel, fish gelatin, glycerol BP*, Vitamin E (tocopherol).

I know vitamin A can be a concern for pregnant mothers.  Is there any in this supplement?
There is no vitamin A in our Mums and Bumps capsules so they are perfectly safe for pregnant mums.

Are they easy to digest?
Our fish oils are super fresh so they're gentle on sensitive pregnant tummies and never cause fishy burps. They're also in the natural triglyceride form which is easier for the body to absorb.

Where is this made?
All of the fish oil is made in Norway and the capsules in the UK. The fish are sustainably caught from clean, wild waters and FOS & IFFO-RS certified fisheries.

What type of fish is used?
Natural triglyceride-form fish oil from sardines, anchovies and mackerel (smaller fish with fewer contaminants).  Fish gelatin and glycerol BP to hold it all together (no pork or beef). Bare Biology never use farmed fish, only small wild fish which are right at the bottom of the food chain, meaning they contain fewer heavy metals and other pollutants such as PCBs.  Bare Biology only work with Norwegian fisheries and manufacturers certified by both Friends of the Sea and the Marin Trust.

Do I need to store in the fridge?
The capsules don’t need to be kept in the fridge, but best to keep them somewhere cool.

Should I take omega-3 supplements?
If you’re already eating the kind of diet a nutritional therapist would be proud of you may think that taking a fish oil supplement really isn’t for you. Surely it’s best just to get your omega-3 by eating the fish itself, rather than taking it as a supplement?  Well, yes and no. While it is true that supplements can’t undo the effects of a poor diet, very few of us are able to eat the recommended amount of oily fish we need for good general health.  Both the NHS and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) say we should all aim for two 140g portions of fish a week, one white (like cod) and one oily (like mackerel). This would give you a weekly omega-3 intake of around 3,150mg. Unfortunately, most of us fail to get even that modest amount, with only 27% of UK adults eating oily fish regularly according to the SACN.  And if you were hoping to see some physical benefits from eating oily fish, like maintaining a healthy heart you’d need to eat much more than this. A European Food Standards Authority-approved health claim suggests taking 3,000mg for the maintenance of normal blood pressure.  To get anywhere near those sorts of levels would mean eating far more than the current recommended amounts of oily fish. From mackerel to salmon, oily fish contains low levels of pollutants that build up in the body over time. For this reason, healthy adults shouldn’t eat more than four portions per week, while women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t eat more than two.  Taking a pure, safe fish oil supplement like our high strength Life & Soul ensures you’re getting all the health benefits of omega-3, without the risk of pollutants such as PCBs or heavy metals like mercury.  Bare Biology uses the International Fish Oil Standards programme (IFOS) to check the quality of all of our fish oils. IFOS have even stricter standards than those set by the government and they don’t just look at purity levels, they check the amount of EPA and DHA (the beneficial long-chain fatty acids in omega-3) and the freshness of the oil. You can find their reports, by batch, on their website. We also publish all our own test results on our website, so you know you’re getting all the benefits of a high-quality fish oil without any nasties.

Can I take omega-3 and blood thinners?
It’s always worth asking your doctor for advice if you’re unsure. But those taking warfarin or aspirin prescribed by their doctor are typically advised not to take omega-3 fish oil in its concentrated form as a supplement.  But the surprising thing is, it’s not just omega-3’s potential effects on blood thinning that make it unwise to take if you’re already on a blood thinning medication.  It’s also really important that patients on blood thinners keep their diets stable without attempting any big changes, as the way you eat can make a big difference in how your body responds to the drug. You shouldn’t try any new diet, take any new supplements or even attempt to lose weight without speaking to your doctor first if you’re being prescribed something like warfarin.

What does it mean if a fish oil is IFOS tested and why does it matter?
You wouldn’t rush to see a movie awarded one-star by the critics. You’d think twice about eating in a restaurant with only a two-star hygiene rating. And you probably wouldn’t book the hotel with all the one-star TripAdvisor reviews, no matter how glitzy it looked in the brochure.  Ratings matter in all areas of our consumer life. But when it comes to fish oils, third-party testing by an independent body is essential. Otherwise all you’d have to go on is the manufacturer’s marketing hype. And let’s face it, they’re all going to claim their product is pure, fresh and bursting with omega-3.  According to nutritionist Melanie Brown, "searching for the best and purest fish oil in a crowded market can be a bewildering process. So checking the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) website for one with a 5-star rating ensures it's free from contaminants and of maximum purity, as well as containing a high concentration of the valuable long chain omega-3 fatty acids".  Bare Biology are extremely proud of our five-star IFOS rating because when it comes to fish oils, it’s the highest possible accolade.

But who are IFOS? What do they test? And what does an IFOS five-star rating actually mean when it comes to the important stuff - the amount of omega-3 you’re getting in every dose?
Read on for an in-depth look at the independent testing of fish oils and discover how the IFOS rating is the only way of really knowing what’s in your bottle.

What is IFOS?
IFOS stands for International Fish Oil Standards and it’s the only third-party testing and certification program for fish oils. The IFOS program is delivered by NutraSource Diagnostics, a research organisation at the University of Guelph in Canada.  IFOS are independent because they don’t manufacture or market fish oil themselves and they don’t endorse any brands either. They simply test each oil by batch and publish the results on their website. And unlike other testing companies like ConsumerLab, the results are open to the public for free.

Why is an IFOS rating so important when it comes to fish oil?
IFOS is well-respected for its high standards, full disclosure and transparency. Rigorous and thorough, they have even stricter standards than those set by the government and other organisations. In fact they set the world’s highest standards for purity, potency and freshness.  An IFOS rating means that when a manufacturer claims its fish oil is pure, you don’t need to take their word for it, because the organisation who set the bar can prove it to you.  Bare Biology were the first British brand to be certified by IFOS.

Why is it so important that fish oil is third-party tested by a body like IFOS?
How would you feel if the sunscreen you were using said SPF 50 on the bottle, but in fact it was only factor 10 and wasn’t giving you the protection you thought you were buying? You’d probably be annoyed about being mis-sold on the quality, but also pretty worried about what that means for your health.  Being truthful about the quality of fish oils is just as important, especially as it’s a product you consume. When a fish oil is IFOS certified it shows you the product has met their high standards. This means you, the customer, can be certain of the safety and quality of the fish oils you and your family are taking.

How can you find the IFOS rating of your fish oil?
The IFOS website offers a search feature for consumers. You can use it to check whether the fish oil you’re planning to buy is certified and find out how it rates in terms of purity, freshness and strength. It allows you to search by product, company or even lot number, because they publish consumer reports for each and every batch of fish oil a manufacturer submits to them.  If you want to check your own fish oil, look up the batch code on your product and type it into the Bare Biology website to bring up its consumer report online.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of young children. Do not exceed the daily dose.  If pregnant, or breastfeeding, or if you are taking medication, or on medical care, consult your physician prior to use.  While we work to ensure that product information on our website is correct, on occasion manufacturers may alter their ingredient lists.  Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than that shown on our website.  All information about the products on our website is provided for information purposes only. We recommend that you do not solely rely on the information presented on our website.  Please always read the labels, warnings, and directions provided with the product before using or consuming a product.  In the event of any safety concerns or for any other information about a product please carefully read any instructions provided on the label or packaging and contact the manufacturer.  Content on this site is not intended to substitute for advice given by medical practitioner, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. Contact your health-care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem.  Information and statements about products are not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.  The customer reviews are only moderated for offensive content – they should not be regarded as medical or health advice; no reliance should therefore be placed on them; and they are not endorsed by Victoria Health. If you have any health problems or questions regarding the suitability of any product please contact a health professional. Products are not medicinal unless otherwise stated. Victoria Health accepts no liability for inaccuracies or misstatements about products by manufacturers or other third parties. This does not affect your statutory rights.