Smartfish is committed to creating safe, delicious, and nutritious drinks with high quality ingredients. Smartfish Recharge are sports drinks consisting of juices from fruits and berries and high levels of fish oil (EPA and DHA), whey protein, and vitamin D.

EPA & DHA

What is omega-3?

Omega-3 fatty acids are a group of essential fatty acids. This means that the body is unable to synthesize adequate amounts on its own. Therefore, it is necessary to supply the body with omega-3s from food sources or from supplements.

Are there different types of omega-3 fatty acids?

Different types of omega-3 fatty acids exist. Important omega-3 fatty acids include ALA (α-linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). ALA is considered a short-chain fatty acid while EPA and DHA are categorized as long-chain fatty acids.

What food sources contain omega-3 fatty acids?

ALA is present is food sources from plants such as oils, nuts, seeds, and their oils. EPA and DHA are present in seafood and fish oils and are often called marine omega-3 fatty acids.

What is the recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids?

It is recommended to consume 1-2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day. Eating fish, particularly fatty fish, at least 2-3 times per week will meet this recommendation. However, a diet with less than this amount will require omega-3 from other sources. A spoonful of cod liver oil or a Smartfish Recharge drink will meet the daily requirement. Did you know that one Smartfish Recharge High Protein contains 1,4 grams omega-3? Smartfish Recharge Fuel contains 2,4 grams omega-3!

What is the source of omega-3 in Smartfish Recharge?

The omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in Smartfish Recharge originates from the Norwegian coast. The fish oil is extracted from wild stocks of cod which have been caught in Lofoten and north of Lofoten. The fish oil is obtained from the cod’s liver, which is a largely unexploited part of the fish. This practice ensures that the rest of the fish can be used as a food source which contributes to a sustainable use of resources.  

Why are omega-3 fatty acids important for athletes?

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for overall health due to the many functions of these fatty acids. Omega-3s are important for the development and functioning of the brain, the eyes, and the heart, which are all crucial organs for an athlete. Additionally, individuals and athletes with high workout loads have increased nutritional requirements. A sufficient food and drink intake is necessary to utilize maximum capacity during workouts and competitions. Therefore, an athlete’s diet should consists of adequate amounts of energy, protein, carbohydrates, fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, micronutrients, and fluids.

Has research been conducted on omega-3 fatty acids for sports performance?

Competing athletes are often looking for ways to enhance their performances. Sports nutrition is a field with interesting and exciting research topics, and omega-3 is one of them. Some of the research areas in which omega-3 has been investigated for its potential benefits include reduction in muscle soreness, increase and maintenance of muscle mass, and increase in muscle strength. Smartfish has also collaborated with researchers with the aim to investigate the specific nutritional combinations of Smartfish Recharge drinks for sports performance. A summary and a link to these studies can be found here.

1. Ochi E, Tsuchiya Y. Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Muscle Damage and Function. Nutrients. 2018;10(5):552.
2. Lewis NA, Daniels D, Calder PC, Castell LM, Pedlar CR. Are There Benefits from the Use of Fish Oil Supplements in Athletes? A Systematic Review. Adv Nutr. 2020;11(5):1300-14.
3. Kyriakidou Y, Wood C, Ferrier C, Dolci A, Elliott B. The effect of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):9.
4. Black KE, Witard OC, Baker D, Healey P, Lewis V, Tavares F, et al. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to a protein-based supplement during pre-season training results in reduced muscle soreness and the better maintenance of explosive power in professional Rugby Union players. Eur J Sport Sci. 2018;18(10):1357-67.
5. Philpott JD, Donnelly C, Walshe IH, MacKinley EE, Dick J, Galloway SDR, et al. Adding Fish Oil to Whey Protein, Leucine, and Carbohydrate Over a Six-Week Supplementation Period Attenuates Muscle Soreness Following Eccentric Exercise in Competitive Soccer Players. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018;28(1):26-36.
6. Tsuchiya Y, Ueda H, Yanagimoto K, Kato A, Ochi E. 4-week eicosapentaenoic acid-rich fish oil supplementation partially protects muscular damage following eccentric contractions. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):18.

What are proteins?

Proteins are made of amino acids. Different amino acids exist, some of which are essential and some of which are non-essential. Humans are unable to produce essential amino acids in the body and we are therefore dependent on obtaining these from the diet.

What food sources contain proteins?

High quality protein sources include fish, chicken, dairy products, eggs, and meat. A "high quality" protein source contains all the amino acids the body needs. These protein sources are also called complete protein sources. Non-complete protein sources do not contain all the amino acids the body needs. Such food sources are usually plant sources including grains and legumes. However, combining different plant sources with different amino acids can result in a meal or a diet with all the amino acids the body needs. It is therefore fully possible to have a sufficient amino acid and protein intake from eating plant based by combining foods correctly.

What is the recommended intake of proteins?

The body’s protein need is highly individual and depends on a variety of factors such as age, activity level, and health status. In general, the recommended protein intake for most people is approximately 1 gram per kilogram of body weight per day (g/kg/d). For individuals who exercise regularly, a higher protein intake of up to 1.6 g/kg/d may be required. Additionally, heavy training and power sports may increase protein needs to as much as 2.2 g/kg/d. This means that, depending on the level of physical activity, a person who weighs 70 kilograms may need anywhere from 70-154 g of protein per day.

Why are proteins important for athletes?

People who exercise regularly as well as professional athletes are often concerned about obtaining adequate amounts of protein. This is not without reason, as proteins have vital functions in the body. In relation to exercise, proteins play important roles such as in the growth, repair, and maintenance of muscle mass and bone mass.

What is the protein source in Smartfish Recharge?

The protein source in Smartfish Recharge is whey protein. Whey protein originates from cow’s milk and is therefore a high-quality protein meaning that it contains all the essential amino acids. Whey protein has also been found to be absorbed in the body more quickly compared to other types of proteins. This makes whey protein a great protein source after training allowing a quick refueling. One Smartfish Recharge High Protein contains 15 grams of protein.

What is vitamin D and what are the sources of vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin with many important functions in the body. Humans synthesize vitamin D in the skin when exposed to sunlight. However, in countries located at the northern hemisphere, including Scandinavia, there is inadequate sun exposure most of the year to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D in the skin. This results in the need to obtain vitamin D from food sources or from supplements. Food sources of vitamin D include oily fish such as salmon, trout, herring, and mackerel. Egg yolk and fortified dairy products are also sources that contain vitamin D. For people who do not consume fish regularly, supplementing with vitamin D is necessary, especially during the winter season. One Smartfish Recharge Omega 3 contains half of the daily recommended amount of vitamin D*

*What is the recommended intake of vitamin D?

The recommended intake of vitamin D is 10 micrograms per day for individuals between 2 and 75 years of age and 20 micrograms per day for individuals above 75 years of age.

Why is vitamin D important for athletes?

Vitamin D has many important functions in the body. In relation to exercise, three functions are of particular importance to health and performance.

1. Vitamin D is important for optimal bone health
   Vitamin D ensures absorption of calcium into the body and storage of calcium into the bones.
2. Vitamin D is important for optimal muscle function
   Vitamin D is necessary for normal muscle function, and inadequate levels of vitamin D can lead to musculoskeletal pain.
3. Vitamin D is important for the immune system
   Vitamin D has a variety of functions for the immune system. Suboptimal levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of infections.