Fish Oil Gel Capsules

[Radman]

Hi All .... Have any of you noticed that your fish oil gel capsules may not be dissolving and dispencing the fish oil before they pass from your body? Well, ur, ah ... I have noticed this for quite some time that after the morning BM's (!) the capsule is there in the bowl. :>))

Any others notice this? Not sure what the answer is.

As a simple test, I took a fresh capsule out of the bottle and placed it in a small lid with water. It never did dissolve to the point of releasing the contents. I realize water is not the stomach acids and other fluids in that reach the small intestine, but it does give me pause to think there may be something amiss here. I have used several in house brands from Sam's and Costco with the same negative results.

Thanks in advance for your input,
Radman

[PB&J]

Try submerging it (or any capsule/gel/tablet) in white vinegar, to mimic stomach acids. If it does not dissolve, the result will be your observation as above.

[panache45]

I take four a day, and they always seem to dissolve. In fact I often produce a fishy burp, a while after taking one.

[voltaire]

Originally Posted by panache45

I take four a day, and they always seem to dissolve. In fact I often produce a fishy burp, a while after taking one.

Same. I use the BJ's brand, and sometimes I get the fishy taste within minutes.

If your digestive system is incapable of dissolving a little bit of gelatin, you may have a lot more to worry about than getting your Omega 3's.

[Revtim]

I've been taking a couple every night for a few years now, and I've never noticed them in my "output".

[MsRobyn]

If you're seeing the intact capsules in your, uh, "output", try poking a hole in each one, squeezing the contents out, and mixing the oil with something else. Or try using it as a topping on rice and seaweed.

[voltaire]

Originally Posted by MsRobyn

If you're seeing the intact capsules in your, uh, "output", try poking a hole in each one, squeezing the contents out, and mixing the oil with something else. Or try using it as a topping on rice and seaweed.

Am I the only one who first read this as suggesting to remove the intact capsules from the "output" and poke holes in them?

Hey, waste not, want not!

[Michael63129]

There isn't any reason (AFAIK) why you can't chew them and swallow the oil (you don't have to swallow the capsule as long as you suck everything out), since stomach acid/enzymes shouldn't destroy omega-3s or eating fish wouldn't have any benefit; probably should take it with a meal though. This is what I do and the taste isn't bad at all, somewhat fishy but it is fish oil (I take one a day just as a supplement, unless I eat fish).

[ZipperJJ]

Originally Posted by panache45

I take four a day, and they always seem to dissolve. In fact I often produce a fishy burp, a while after taking one.

Vitacost.com's branded fish oil is flavored with strawberry and gives you strawberry burps!

[BigT]

Originally Posted by PB&J

Try submerging it (or any capsule/gel/tablet) in white vinegar, to mimic stomach acids. If it does not dissolve, the result will be your observation as above.

This would show a problem with the pills, but would not show if the problem is that the OP's stomach that does not produce enough acid.

I will say that I have decreased absorption in my intestines right now, and yet I still seem to digest those fish oil pills.

[panache45]

Originally Posted by voltaire

Am I the only one who first read this as suggesting to remove the intact capsules from the "output" and poke holes in them?

Hey, waste not, want not!

No, you're not the only one.

Hey, I use the prescription capsules, and they're expensive!

[bardos]

Just some anecdotal info. Many years ago, when my kids still lived at home, I mean when they were very young, the whole family would take fish oil capsules regularly.

I recall having read somewhere, i have no idea where, that young children lacked the acid (?) in their stomachs to dissolve the capsules. We thus instructed them to always bite down on the capsule in their mouth and break them before swallowing.

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Radman--are you taking antacids?