Vegan DHA/EPA 450 mg, 60 vegan softgel capsules

Algae oil with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

DHA is of greater importance for certain groups of people (for example pregnant women, breastfeeding women and people over 50 years) than EPA. For people who wish to avoid fish oil (such as vegetarians and vegans or people with a fish allergy), algae oil is an excellent option to enrich their diet with additional DHA and EPA. What is special about the algae oil in Vegan DHA/EPA 450 mg is its EPA content in addition to DHA. The DHA and EPA doses in the softgel capsules of a vegan omega-3 supplement are also exceptionally high. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in this product are well absorbed because they are present in their natural, unprocessed triglyceride form. Naturally, only very fresh and pure algae oil is used for Vegan DHA/EPA 450 mg.

Plant-derived DHA and EPA for heart, brain and eyes

Together, the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA have a beneficial effect on the heart. In addition, DHA supports the maintenance of normal vision and normal brain function. It is no coincidence that the consumption of particularly fatty fish species, which naturally contain high amounts of EPA and DHA, has long been included in official dietary recommendations for a healthy diet. In 2010 the EFSA issued an additional recommendation for pregnant and breastfeeding women to increase their daily DHA and EPA intake to 450 mg (of which at least 200 mg should be DHA). DHA also contributes to the normal development of the brain and eyes in breastfed infants and in foetuses.

In practice, however, a considerable proportion of people (including pregnant women, vegetarians and vegans) do not consume enough or any (oily) fish to reach the recommended daily dose of DHA and EPA. There are different reasons why these people do not reach the recommended daily dose. This can be problematic because fish still remains our main source of EPA and DHA. The same official recommendations also point out that it is better not to eat fish too often. This is because fish can contain contaminants due to environmental pollution (in particular dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals such as methylmercury).

However, this is not an issue with high-quality, purified fish oil preparations that contain only low amounts or none of these contaminants. The algae for an algae oil preparation are cultivated under isolated and carefully controlled conditions, excluding environmental contamination. To make optimal use of the health benefits of these unsaturated long-chain fatty acids, more and more people are choosing to supplement their diet daily with fish oil or algae oil preparations.

For people whose diet is vegetarian or vegan, intake of DHA and EPA is particularly essential. After all, this group consumes no fish at all, which, as already mentioned, remains the most important dietary source of DHA and EPA. Some vegetarians or vegans use a plant oil as a supplement, such as linseed oil, which has a high concentration of the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). To maintain the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, ALA supplementation is certainly advisable. The omega-6 fatty acid intake ratio is too high in Western countries, especially among vegetarians and vegans. However, it is a misconception to believe that ALA can fully replace the intake of DHA and EPA. The body can theoretically synthesise these omega-3 fatty acids from ALA, but the conversion is practically very complex. An algae oil preparation with DHA and EPA therefore represents a recommended option for vegetarians and vegans — but also for people who are allergic to fish or who for other reasons do not want to use fish oil. Although algae oil is a sustainable source of DHA and EPA, its relatively high price makes taking higher doses of DHA (and EPA) more difficult.

Necessary EPA/DHA dose for an optimal omega-3 status

The omega-3 status refers to the amounts of EPA and DHA present in the body. Today it is quite possible to determine the omega-3 status. One method is a blood test by finger-prick, in which the so-called Omega-3 Index is measured. The Omega-3 Index, a reliable indicator of omega-3 status, gives the proportion of EPA and DHA in the total fatty acid composition of red blood cell membranes. The content of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in tissues and organs, including the heart, also correlates well with this Omega-3 Index.

Evidence that an Omega-3 Index of at least 8% is optimal is growing. Studies have shown that many people, especially those with a typical European diet (usually associated with excessive consumption of omega-6 fatty acids), require high doses of EPA/DHA to reach an optimal index. With a low Omega-3 Index (approx. 4.5%, which is average in Western countries), supplementation with 2 grams of EPA/DHA will normally raise the Omega-3 Index to about 8% after around three months. To maintain this index, approximately 700–1000 mg EPA/DHA per day are probably sufficient, although this depends on dietary habits. For anyone who does not want to use fish oil supplements, Vegan DHA/EPA 450 mg is suitable for increasing the Omega-3 Index.

Permitted health claims:

• DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and normal vision with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA.
• DHA is an important structural component of the brain at a daily intake of 250 mg DHA.
• DHA contributes to the normal function of the retina at a daily intake of 250 mg DHA.
• DHA contributes to the normal development of the eyes and brain of foetuses and breastfed infants — with a daily maternal intake of 200 mg, in addition to the recommended daily intake of 250 mg EPA and DHA.
• EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart with a daily intake of 250 mg EPA and DHA.

Key constituents

* No reference intake according to the Food Information Regulation (LMIV) specified

Ingredients

Algae oil (DHA- and EPA-rich oil from the microalga Schizochytrium sp.), humectant (glycerol), modified pea starch (softgel capsule), stabiliser (carrageenan), antioxidants (tocopherol-rich extracts, rosemary extract).

Recommended intake

Take 1 softgel capsule per day with water, with a fatty meal.

Storage instructions

Store in a cool, dry place away from light (do not refrigerate).

Legal notice

Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of reach of young children.