2008 round-up: The hottest omega-3 articles
ConsumerLab’s results on its omega-3 tests attracted the most readers in the omega-3 category. The independent product tester gave the thumbs up to almost 50 omega-3 dietary supplements and functional foods for delivering on dosage and being contaminant-free.
The report was claimed to be the group’s most comprehensive analysis of fish oils to date, according to Tod Cooperman, ConsumerLab’s president.
According to the results, all products met their label claims in regard to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) levels, with levels ranging from 16 mg in a yogurt product to 1,000 mg in a single pill.
To read ConsumerLab releases omega-3 test results, please click here.
The focus grabs attention
The second most popular article in the category was Science: Is omega-3 omnipotent?, which formed part of our omega-3 news focus. NutraIngredients-USA.com reviewed the science behind the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (C20:5 n-3) and DHA (C22:6 n-3) from marine sources, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n-3) from plants like flax.
The review also covered the main health areas with the strongest science, including cardiovascular health, cognitive performance and reducing the rate of age-related cognitive decline, improved mood and behavior, reduced risks of certain cancers, improved eye health, and benefits to mother and child.
To read our full review, please click here.
Another contribution to the omega-3 news focus, Supply: Where omega-3 comes from, came in as the third most popular. The overview reported that fish oil makes up for some 85 percent of the market’s omega-3 by volume, according to Frost & Sullivan. The majority of the fish comes from South America and Morocco.
The market for algal omega-3 is currently dominated by two firms: Martek Biosciences (US) and Lonza (EU), while plant-based omega-3 is dominated by flaxseed.
To read the full article, please click here.
The power of Oprah
Ocean Nutrition Canada’s unusual step of announcing a major advertising campaign on Oprah.com was the fourth most popular news article in the omega-3 category. The announcement represented an attempt to build awareness of OCN’s ingredient and boost sales of co-branded fortified foods and beverages.
The company said the Oprah campaign – which will see its product advertised on the site’s Dr Oz health section – was a “logical media forum given the power of Oprah”.
The site of the popular talk show host is said to attract five million unique visitors and 75 million page views per month.
To read Ocean Nutrition builds omega-3 awareness on Oprah, please click here.
It’s all about continuity
Bringing the top five to a close, the article Omega-3: Lifelong intakes necessary for benefits in old age? covered the publication of three studies that suggested higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), may decrease the risk of dementia, and improve survival in older people.
Two prospective studies from Norway and France measured omega-3 levels using biomarkers and showed positive benefits for the fatty acids in relation to mortality and cognitive function, respectively. However, supplementation of older people with high dose omega-3 does not affect mood or well-being, according to the findings of a third study from the Netherlands.
“Together, these findings suggest that dietary habits that include higher versus lower intakes of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids may bring certain health benefits that short-term supplementation cannot provide,” said William Harris from Sanford Research at the University of South Dakota in an accompanying editorial.
To read the article, please click here:
