Here at Nuique our focus is on creating algae derived omega 3 supplements. The philosophy behind our products is broadly two-fold:
- 1. that algal omega 3 oil is the most sustainable form of this supplement, since we are not putting more pressure on rapidly declining fish stocks (from whence most producers of omega 3 supplements derive their product)
- 2. that our omega 3 algae oil capsules are actually purer than most competitors versions – since the capsules are smaller and not bulked-out with any additional Omega 6 in the form of sunflower oil or sunflower lecithin which actually impedes the absorption of the ‘good’ omega 3 long chain fatty acids EPA and DHA.
But some people worry that because our supplements are not fish oil they are not as good, and yet nothing could be further from the truth.
Algae oil is packed with DHA and can also be naturally EPA-rich when produced correctly in properly controlled environments. And as the technology has improved we have learned how to increase the percentage totals of Omega 3s during the manufacturing process. The products we are selling are now on a par with the beneficial omega 3s from fish oil. How come? Because it’s microalgae that fish eat to make their omega-3s. If you like, we’re just skipping one step of the process. We’re cutting out the middle (fish)man! Algae-derived DHA is now good enough to be approved for infant formulas and already is found in many standard foods, such as cooking oil, fruit juices, milk and many others.
But don’t just take our word for it. The (US-based) Journal of Nutrition, with articles written and peer-reviewed by proper scientists with lots of initials after their names and white coats and test-tubes and everything, published in 2012 a systematic review of randomized controlled trials published between 1996 and 2011 on the efficacy of algae-derived DHA. The researchers were from some very serious institutions: the Wellness Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, the Dept. of Nutrition and Dept. of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health, Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard Medical School. A summary of their work can be found here: Is Algae DHA As Healthy as Fish Oil DHA?
Mark Anthony, Ph.D., Technical Editor – A review of research earlier this year found mostly good news in this vegetarian source.
Most omega-3s come from cold-water fish and there simply aren’t enough of those in the sea
As more and more people learn about the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids and expert nutritionists and health organizations keep promoting them, the pressure on fish stocks increases year-on-year and prices rise inexorably. There is also the additional issue that fish can have high levels of toxic mercury and pollutants.
Plant-based omega-3s are another alternative but they’re not ideal. The omega-3 fatty acids most prevalent in plants are called alpha linolenic acids (ALAs) and these aren’t converted efficiently by the human body into the optimal forms.
So, as nutritionists and other experts tell us to supplement our diets with omega 3s but the main source for them (fish) gets more rare and expensive, algae derived omega 3 supplements fit the bill perfectly. And that’s we do at Nuique – make algal omega 3 supplements. Best you get some now!
