Sensilia Laboratory is a French, family-owned and independent laboratory based in Gironde, France. Since 2019, we have been researching and manufacturing healthy, innovative wellness products.
Omega-3 and TOTOX: learn to recognise a fresh, stable oil, avoid oxidation, and choose a quality supplement for your dog's joint health.
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Omega-3Omega-3s are essential fatty acids, meaning the body (of both dogs and humans) cannot produce them in sufficient quantities and must obtain them through diet. Among them, the most important are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). They help regulate inflammation, support joint health, promote cognitive function, contribute to cardiovascular function, and play a key role in vision.
Omega-3s occur naturally in oily fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon), shellfish such as the New Zealand green lipped mussel, and certain DHA-rich marine microalgae.
In modern diets, however, levels are often too low — which is why Omega-3 supplements have become a go-to solution.
Unfortunately, Omega-3s have one weakness: they are extremely sensitive to oxidation. Heat, light, or even simple exposure to air can degrade their fragile structure and cause a loss of some of their benefits, or even provoke harmful effects on the body.
Hence the need to ensure their quality… and this is where a key criterion comes in: the TOTOX index.
Omega-3s belong to the polyunsaturated fatty acid family. Their defining characteristic is their multiple double bonds — what makes them so valuable to the body, but also what makes them particularly unstable. As soon as they're exposed to oxygen, light, or heat, these bonds begin to break down: the start of lipid oxidation.
The process unfolds in three stages:
An oxidised Omega-3 is not just an oil that smells rancid. Oxidation leads to:
In short: instead of providing joint and cellular support, an oxidised oil can become an aggravating factor, intensifying inflammation and exerting a pro-oxydant and pro-inflammatoire on the body.
The TOTOX index (Total Oxidation) is the gold-standard measure for assessing the freshness of an Omega-3-rich oil, combining two complementary parameters:
Combining both measurements gives a complete picture of Omega-3 stability: TOTOX = (2 × PV) + pAV
Several scientific studies confirm that many Omega-3 supplements exceed the recommended thresholds:
To choose an effective and safe supplement, you should:
In light of these findings on Omega-3 oxidation, it is essential to turn to a supplement that guarantees freshness, stability, and traceability. This is precisely the promise of PERNIXOL®, a liquid supplement for dogs' joint comfort, formulated to preserve the integrity of Omega-3s to the greatest extent possible and offer dogs a natural solution of impeccable quality.
The stability of PERNIXOL® is built on a comprehensive quality process, from the selection of raw materials to final packaging. The New Zealand green lipped mussel oil and microalgae oils are sourced from rigorously evaluated suppliers according to a strict quality control plan, including traceability criteria, environmental compliance, and systematic purity and composition analyses. Before entering the formulation, each batch of ingredients undergoes TOTOX analyses to guarantee their freshness and stability.
The formula is then stabilised by two natural antioxidants: oleic sunflower oil, particularly rich in oleic acid (Omega-9), recognised for its high resistance to oxidation and its role as a natural preservative, and vitamin E (tocopherols), which neutralises free radicals and extends the shelf life of the Omega-3s.
On the finished product, TOTOX indices are measured by an independent laboratory in accordance with European standards, with exemplary results of 6.7 at manufacture and 7.8 after 6 months, well below the international threshold of 26 set by GOED.
To further limit the risk of oxidation, PERNIXOL® is packaged in violet biophotonic glass bottles, which naturally protect the oils from harmful wavelengths. Its 30 ml format, equivalent to 30 days of use, prevents an opened bottle from remaining open for too long, guaranteeing consistent freshness right up to the last dose.
Production is deliberately carried out in small batches to preserve maximum freshness. Once produced, bottles are immediately refrigerated, and customers are recommended to store their product in the fridge before and after opening to maintain optimal Omega-3 stability over time
Omega-3s are essential for joint comfort, but their effectiveness depends directly on their freshness. The only reliable indicator for assessing this quality is the TOTOX index. Yet many analyses show that half of the products on the market exceed the recommended thresholds, with an even greater risk for flavoured supplements.
With PERNIXOL®, every detail is designed to preserve the effectiveness of the Omega-3s:
This article was written by the R&D team at Laboratoire Sensilia, experts in animal nutrition.
