What Is TG Fish Oil—and Why It’s No Longer Enough
TG fish oil has long been viewed as the “natural” form of omega-3. But in recent years, it’s become clear that natural doesn’t always mean effective, especially when you’re looking for measurable health benefits.
This article takes a closer look at what TG fish oil actually is, how it works, and why more people are choosing high purity alternatives like rTG fish oil instead.
What Exactly Is TG Fish Oil?
TG stands for triglyceride—the molecular form in which omega-3 fatty acids naturally exist in fish. It consists of three fatty acid chains (like EPA and DHA) attached to a glycerol backbone. It’s simple, unmodified, and generally well tolerated.
That’s why many fish oil products promote TG as the “natural” option.
But here’s the issue: Most TG fish oil contains only 20–30% omega-3s. The rest consists of other fats—some neutral, some not particularly useful—and the result is a relatively weak supplement by today’s standards.
While TG oil may support general wellness, it rarely delivers enough EPA and DHA to match the levels used in modern clinical research.Can’t
Can’t You Just Take More TG Capsules?
In theory, yes. In reality—not really.
To match the omega-3 content found in one capsule of high purity fish oil, you’d need to take 3 to 5 capsules of standard TG fish oil. That’s not just more pills—it’s more unnecessary fat, more digestive strain, and more chance that your body won’t absorb what you need.
TG oils often contain:
- Excess omega-6 fatty acids, which may promote inflammation
- Saturated fats and cholesterol-like compounds
- Competing lipids that can blunt the benefits of omega-3s
So while you can increase the dose, you can’t offset the inefficiencies built into the structure.
Why Purity Matters—Especially for Kids
Once absorbed, EPA and DHA are incorporated into your cell membranes, where they support inflammation control, circulation, nerve signaling, and more. But they only work when delivered in the right form and in the right concentration.
This is especially important when it comes to kids’ fish oil. Children may be more sensitive to taste, digestion, or capsule size—but they’re also in critical stages of cognitive and neural development, which rely heavily on DHA.
If the oil is low in purity or poorly absorbed—as is often the case with cheap TG-based products— the benefits never fully reach their target.
That’s why many parents and pediatricians now look for rTG fish oil for kids: It offers high purity, better absorption, and fewer side effects like burping or upset stomach.
How rTG Fish Oil Builds on TG’s Limitations
The shortcomings of TG fish oil eventually led to the development of ethyl ester (EE) fish oil, which allowed omega-3s to be concentrated and purified.
Later, EE was refined into rTG—or re-esterified triglyceride—which reattaches the purified omega-3s back onto a natural glycerol backbone.
The result: a high-purity, high-absorption fish oil that mimics nature, but delivers more.
Many leading brands now choose rTG fish oil because:
- Up to 124% better absorbed than EE
- Delivers therapeutic doses in fewer capsules
- Easier on the stomach
- Fits modern clinical standards for cardiovascular, cognitive, and inflammatory support
What Clinical Trials Have Taught Us
The shift toward high purity fish oil wasn’t marketing—it was science.
• GISSI-Prevenzione (1999): 1g/day of omega-3 reduced cardiac death by 30%.
• JELIS (2007): 1.8g/day of purified EPA lowered coronary events in over 18,000 patients.
• REDUCE-IT (2019): 4g/day of ultra-purified EPA reduced cardiovascular events by 25% in high-risk individuals.
These kinds of outcomes simply aren’t possible with low-purity TG fish oil.
So, TG fish oil is natural—but for many, it’s no longer enough.
To support real health outcomes in adults, children, and even pets, purity, structure, and bioavailability all matter. That’s why the world is moving toward high purity fish oil, EE / rTG, especially rTG fish oil—because what goes into your body only matters if your body can actually use it.
