Pharma Nord Omega-3: Danish Quality on the Estonian Market — Honest Review
Pharma Nord is a Danish supplement company and one of the most recognized omega-3 brands on the Estonian market. Their products sit in nearly every Estonian pharmacy, which raises a question: are you paying the Pharma Nord premium because the product is genuinely better, or because the brand is simply better marketed? This review gives an honest answer.
Who This Guide Is For
People considering buying Pharma Nord omega-3 who want to know if it is worth the price. After reading, you will be able to compare their products against alternatives.
TL;DR
- Pharma Nord uses triglyceride (TG) form, which absorbs better than the ethyl ester (EE) in cheaper products
- Bio-Omega-3 contains 64% omega-3 fatty acids — this is a concentrated product
- Danish GMP manufacturing and third-party testing are real advantages
- Price is 40-70% higher than alternatives — some of that is justified, some is brand premium
- If EPA/DHA per dollar is your goal, equally good products exist at lower prices
Pharma Nord: Company Background
Pharma Nord was founded in Denmark in 1981 and has grown into one of Europe's largest supplement manufacturers. Their differentiator is a pharmaceutical-adjacent approach: clinical studies on their own products, strict quality control, and university collaborations. This is not just marketing — Pharma Nord has actually funded over 300 scientific studies with their products (company data).
Bio-Omega-3 Composition Analysis
Pharma Nord Bio-Omega-3 main variants:
| Product | EPA | DHA | Total omega-3 | Capsules/day | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio-Omega-3 (standard) | 300 mg | 200 mg | 500 mg/capsule | 1-2 | TG |
| Bio-Omega-3 Forte | 450 mg | 300 mg | 750 mg/capsule | 1 | TG |
| Bio-Omega-3 Vegan | 150 mg | 300 mg | 450 mg/capsule | 1-2 | Algal test (algae oil) |
Why the EPA/DHA Ratio Matters
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the two main omega-3 fatty acids with distinct functions (Calder, 2017):
- EPA — primary anti-inflammatory action, supports cardiovascular health
- DHA — critical for brain and eyes, important for pregnant and nursing women
EFSA recommends at least 250 mg EPA+DHA per day for normal heart function. Pharma Nord's standard capsule provides 500 mg — sufficient in a single capsule (EFSA, 2010).
Triglyceride vs Ethyl Ester: Does It Matter?
Pharma Nord's biggest selling point is their triglyceride (TG) form. Is it actually important?
Yes, but not as much as the marketing suggests.
Neubronner et al. (2011) showed that TG-form omega-3 absorbs 50-70% better than ethyl ester (EE) form. That is a real advantage. However, if you take an EE product alongside a fatty meal, the gap narrows significantly (Lawson & Hughes, 1988).
| Property | Triglyceride (TG) | Ethyl Ester (EE) | Re-esterified TG (rTG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioavailability | High | Lower (50-70% of TG) | Highest |
| Oxidation | More stable | Oxidizes more easily | Stable |
| Price | Medium-high | Low | Highest |
| Found in | Pharma Nord, Nordic Naturals | Most cheap products | Premium products |
Quality Control: Where Pharma Nord Stands Out
Pharma Nord's genuine quality advantages:
1. GOED voluntary standard — every batch tested for oxidation, heavy metals, and PCBs
2. Danish pharmaceutical GMP — stricter requirements than standard GMP
3. TOTOX value — oxidation marker that Pharma Nord publishes (should be <26, Pharma Nord claims <10)
4. Third-party testing — independent verification
For comparison: many cheap omega-3 products do not publish TOTOX values or offer third-party certificates (Albert et al., 2015).
Value Analysis
Is Pharma Nord worth the price? Let us calculate cost per 1,000 mg EPA+DHA:
| Product | EPA+DHA/capsule | Price/package | Cost/1,000 mg EPA+DHA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharma Nord Bio-Omega-3 | 500 mg | ~EUR 18 (60 capsules) | ~EUR 0.60 |
| Pharma Nord Forte | 750 mg | ~EUR 25 (60 capsules) | ~EUR 0.56 |
| Standard pharmacy omega-3 | 300 mg | ~EUR 10 (60 capsules) | ~EUR 0.56 |
| Premium concentrate (e.g., Moller's) | 600 mg | ~EUR 15 (60 capsules) | ~EUR 0.42 |
| MaxFit omega-3 range | 500-900 mg | EUR 12-22 | ~EUR 0.35-0.50 |
Conclusion: Pharma Nord is a quality product, but not necessarily the best value for money. Per milligram, you pay 20-40% more than some alternatives. That premium buys you Danish GMP manufacturing and brand trust.
Common Mistakes When Buying Pharma Nord
1. Assuming only Pharma Nord is quality — several other brands use the same TG form and GMP manufacturing
2. Ignoring the Forte vs standard difference — Forte delivers 50% more EPA/DHA per capsule and is often better value per capsule
3. Taking one capsule when you need two — if your goal is the EFSA-recommended 250 mg EPA+DHA, one capsule suffices. But for cardiovascular protection, studies point to 1,000+ mg EPA+DHA (Mozaffarian & Wu, 2011)
4. Forgetting the vegan option — for vegans, Pharma Nord Bio-Omega-3 Vegan (algae-based) is a good choice, though DHA-heavier and EPA-lighter than the fish-based variant
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pharma Nord omega-3 better than pharmacy own-brand?
Probably yes — TG form and stricter quality control are advantages. But the gap is smaller than you might think, especially if the pharmacy product is also TG-form.
When should I take Pharma Nord omega-3?
With a fat-containing meal — this improves absorption up to 3x (Lawson & Hughes, 1988). Breakfast or lunch work better than an empty stomach.
Is Pharma Nord suitable for pregnant women?
Yes — DHA is critical for fetal brain and eye development. EFSA recommends pregnant women get an additional 200 mg DHA per day on top of the standard 250 mg EPA+DHA (EFSA, 2010). Pharma Nord's standard capsule covers this.
Are there cheaper alternatives with the same quality?
Yes. Look for products using rTG (re-esterified triglyceride) form with IFOS or GOED certification. The MaxFit omega-3 range includes several such products.
Does omega-3 help athletes?
Yes — omega-3 reduces post-exercise muscle soreness (DOMS) by 15-35% (Jouris et al., 2011) and supports joint health during long-term intense training. Athletes may benefit from higher doses (2,000-3,000 mg EPA+DHA).
Estonia-Specific Notes
Pharma Nord is available in nearly every Estonian pharmacy (Benu, Sudameapteek, Apotheka). Prices typically range from EUR 15-30 per package depending on product strength. Online (including MaxFit), selection is wider and prices are often 10-20% lower. Because of Pharma Nord's long presence in the market, many Estonian consumers trust this brand — that trust is justified, but do not let it limit your options.
References
1. Mozaffarian, D. & Wu, J.H.Y. (2011). Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: effects on risk factors, molecular pathways, and clinical events. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 58(20), 2047-2067.
2. Calder, P.C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochemical Society Transactions, 45(5), 1105-1115.
3. Neubronner, J., Schuchardt, J.P., Kressel, G., Merkel, M., von Schacky, C. & Hahn, A. (2011). Enhanced increase of omega-3 index in response to long-term n-3 fatty acid supplementation from triacylglycerides versus ethyl esters. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 65(2), 247-254.
4. Lawson, L.D. & Hughes, B.G. (1988). Absorption of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil triacylglycerols or fish oil ethyl esters co-ingested with a high-fat meal. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 156(2), 960-963.
5. Albert, B.B., Cameron-Smith, D., Hofman, P.L. & Cutfield, W.S. (2015). Oxidation of marine omega-3 supplements and human health. BioMed Research International, 2015, 143109.
6. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. (2010). Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to EPA, DHA and maintenance of normal blood pressure. EFSA Journal, 8(10), 1796.
7. Jouris, K.B., McDaniel, J.L. & Weiss, E.P. (2011). The effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the inflammatory response to eccentric strength exercise. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 10(3), 432-438.
See also:
- Omega-3 Index Testing at Synlab: What It Measures and What to Do With Your Results
- 250 mg DHA Per Day: Why This Specific Dose Matters
- Omega-3 Capsules: How to Choose, Dose & Get Maximum Benefit
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