By: Talking Nutrition Editors
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are important nutrients that play a critical role in human growth and development, as well as overall health and wellbeing throughout life. In fact, there are more than 40,000 published studies on EPA and DHA, including over 4,000 human clinical trials dedicated to the research of their role in cardiovascular, brain and eye health. Research has focused on the critical role omega-3s play in infant growth and development and omega-3s have also been studied - across the lifespan.
Fish are a well-known and popular source of omega-3 LCPUFAs. However, as a result of overfishing and other environmental issues such as climate change, there will not be enough fish in the ocean to feed the world’s growing population.1 It is therefore important that the nutrition industry identifies viable and sustainable alternative sources of omega-3 that do not contribute to the depletion of natural resources.
Made from microalgae, life’s™OMEGA contains a minimum of 500mg/g EPA+DHA (min 150mg/g EPA and min 300mg/g DHA), making it 85% more potent than omega-3 derived from fish oils.* As the only commercially available omega-3 of plant origin that combines significant levels of EPA and DHA in a single source, life’s™OMEGA is a unique solution that allows dietary supplement manufacturers to develop effective and safe omega-3 solutions, all while meeting rising consumer demand for more sustainably-sourced products.
*Based upon average 270 mg/g EPA+DHA concentration for standard fish oil
Here, we highlight the key benefits of life’s™OMEGA for people and the planet.
With the oceans and wild fisheries already operating at capacity, the reality is that there are not enough fish to sustainably support the nutritional demands of our growing population. Resource scarcity has therefore become a significant challenge and there are increasing concerns for the future quality and availability of food.
life’s™OMEGA is 100% plant-based; sourced directly from non-GMO microalgae that have been fermented in a fully controlled manufacturing environment and extracted through a pure water process. This provides complete end-to-end traceability, providing reassurance for manufacturers, and ultimately the end consumer. Sustainably cultivated via indoor fermentation of marine plants, no outdoor growing ponds are required and there is no negative impact on the world’s fish population or other natural resources in producing life’s™OMEGA; helping to protects our oceans and planet.
Consumer awareness of, and attitudes towards, global environmental issues is driving demand for more sustainable ingredients and products on the market, with shoppers now showing a preference for more eco-friendly products. In fact, in recent consumer survey led by dsm-firmenich, 62% of consumers said they prefer a plant-based source of omega-3 as they felt that this option was more natural.2
This trend has coincided with a shift towards more holistic lifestyle choices, including a rising popularity in flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan diets. This has opened-up an exciting opportunity for dietary supplement manufacturers to develop innovative products that will meet the unique nutritional needs of individuals that consume little or no animal-derived products. life’s™OMEGA meets these evolving consumer demands and nutritional requirements, helping to keep consumers healthy throughout their life span.
Watch our video, where experienced dietitian, Lucy Jones, explains more about the plant-based revolution and what this means for manufacturers of dietary supplement and food and beverage products.
Despite the clinically-proven benefits of omega-3 and high consumer awareness of these nutrients, the majority of individuals worldwide do not consume the recommended levels of 250-500 mg/d EPA and DHA, with 96% of the population falling below the optimal range.3 This means a high number of individuals may not obtain the health benefits associated with omega-3 nutrition, including its positive effects on heart, brain and eye health, and indicates a high market need for omega-3 solutions.
Various studies have also indicated that omega-3s may also support additional health areas, such as sports performance, immunity, mood and sleep – creating an opportunity for brands to attract a new generation of omega-3 consumers who are looking for sustainable ways to support their overall health.
dsm-firmenich is a global leader in providing nutritional lipid solutions, including life’s™OMEGA, committed to supporting consumers and brands as they attempt to balance fulfilling nutritional needs while positively impacting the global environment. It is dedicated to adding value at every stage of development, from concept to consumption. When you partner with dsm-firmenich, you get access to a comprehensive nutritional lipid portfolio, and one of the broadest offerings in the industry - including customized solutions tailored to consumers and expert services at every stage of a product’s development.
Discover how you can deliver sustainable, plant-based omega-3 EPA and DHA that meets the demands of a new generation of consumer.
03 July 2020
4 min read
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[1] FAO “State of world fisheries and aquaculture 2018”
[2] dsm-firmenich Consumer FGs, July 2019.
[3] Thuppal SV et al. Discrepency between knowledge and perceptions of dietary omega-3 fatty acid intake compared with the omega-3 index. Nutrients, vol. 9, no. 9, 2017.
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