Omega-3 Fatty Acid

GOED updates monograph to keep up with rapidly changing omega-3 industry

18-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

In an effort to keep up with a changing industry, GOED has published an updated version of the GOED Voluntary Monograph, which sets specifications for omega-3 oils.

Analysis reveals big costs savings for DHA supplements during pregnancy

30-Nov-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing pregnant mothers with DHA omega-3 could lead to significant costs savings for patients and healthcare systems, according to a new analysis from Australia.

Supplements may improve teenage behaviour in school: Oxford researchers

23-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Giving nutrition supplements to teenagers may improve behaviour in schools, research from the University of Oxford has suggested.

New high potency oil allows Nordic Naturals to enter one-pill-a-day omega-3s game

13-Nov-2015 By Hank Schultz

Nordic Naturals has delved into the “one pill a day” omega-3s space with a new product featuring its latest, super high concentrate triglyceride fish oil. The company says the product, called Omega One, gets over one hurdle that drives some consumers...

More customers considering switch from anchovy to menhaden, Omega Protein says

11-Nov-2015 By Hank Schultz

Omega Protein reported record quarterly revenues driven by a recovering omega-3 market and an increasing willingness on the part of customers to consider raw material choices beyond anchovies.

Evidence of omega-3s as depression treatment flawed, says review

05-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is insufficient evidence to support the use of omega-3 supplements as a treatment for depression, a new Cochrane review has said.

GOED, CRN release white paper to counter ‘confusion’ around omega-3 oxidation

04-Nov-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

As attention increases in the issue of oxidation and omega-3s, the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) have released a white paper to help improve industry knowledge on the subject.

KD Pharma omega-3 wins sustainability backing

04-Nov-2015 By Michael HURLEY

German omega-3 player KD Pharma has received sustainable fishery certification from industry watchdog Friend of the Sea (FOS).

EU project seeks algae omega-3s

03-Nov-2015 By Shane STARLING

Extracting omega-3 from novel algae sources is the mission of a European Union-funded project with multiple partners including the famed nutrition research arm at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

BASF: Transparency and quality are great opportunities

28-Oct-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

The shifting landscape of dietary supplements and increasing scrutiny by the media, regulators and consumers is driving the need for greater transparency and quality, says BASF’s human nutrition business director.

GOED exec on national campaigns, health claims, and El Niño

19-Oct-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A positive decision from the FDA on a qualified health claim for omega-3s and blood pressure would be “further justification that EPA and DHA are good for your heart”, says Adam Ismail, Executive Director of GOED.

Arctic Nutrition makes formal US market entry with omega-3, protein ingredients from herring roe

12-Oct-2015 By Hank Schultz

Norwegian firm Arctic Nutrition AS has achieved market penetration with the formal launch in the US market of its Romega phospholipid omega-3 ingredient sourced from herring roe. The ingredient made its market splash at the Supply Side West trade show...

AlaskOmega jumps into omega-7 arena with new fish oil ingredient

30-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

The omega oils story continues to ramify as companies compete to launch products outside the core omega-3s space. The latest entrant is AlaskOmega, which has launched an omega-7 fish oil concentrate.

BlueOcean ships first shrimp oil omega-3 products to consumers

23-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

Development stage company BlueOcean NutraSciences has passed a milestone with the first orders from customers for its Pure Polar Omega-3 Shrimp Oil products. The company launched the brand direct-to-consumer on its website.

AlaskOmega alters specs of its omega-3 oils to highlight freshness advantages of supply chain

22-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

Freshness is one of the touchstones of the marketing of omega-3 fish oils. Organic Technologies, producer of the line of AlaskOmega brand of fish oil ingredients, has altered its specification limits for oil oxidation and environmental contaminants to...

Aker’s chief scientist: Let’s stop talking about bioavailability & focus on what happens to omega-3s in the body

21-Sep-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Studies investigating the bioavailability of EPA and DHA from different oil forms are a waste of time, says Aker BioMarine’s chief scientist. A real effort must be put into researching how EPA and DHA from different forms are taken up and used by the...

Omega-3 supplements may help attention for kids with and without ADHD

16-Sep-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A daily dose of the omega-3s DHA and EPA may improve attention in kids with and without attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), says a new study from Unilever.

Krill and fish oil supplements equally effective at boosting omega-3 levels, says DSM study

10-Sep-2015 By Stephen Daniells

There are no differences in blood levels of omega-3 after consuming equal doses of fish oil or krill oil, says a new study from scientists at DSM.

ABC report shows US herbal supplement sales rose 6.8% in 2014

09-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

Overall sales of herbal dietary supplements rose 6.8% in 2014, according to new information released by the American Botanical Council.

Omega-3s and cognition: dosage matters!

07-Sep-2015 By Adam Ismail

Yet another study questioning omega-3 efficacy has been picked up by the mainstream press. Why finger the nutrient when the dosage is all wrong? argues Adam Ismail, executive director of the Global Organisation for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), in this...

Schiff hit with lawsuit over MegaRed cardiovascular claim wording

31-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

A potential class action lawsuit filed against Schiff Nutrition points out the potential liability firms can expose themselves to when they don’t follow claims guidelines exactly.

BlueOcean launches consumer brand to boost visibility of extended release technology, omega-3 shrimp oil

31-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

BlueOcean Nutrasciences has taken the direct-to-consumer route with an extended release, tablet form of omega-3 fish oil. The company intends to boost the viability of that technology in its own right as well as to use the launch to boost the visibility...

“Omega-3s, from fish or supplements, should be consumed throughout life," says GOED

Omega-3 supplements fail to halt cognitive decline in the elderly, says AREDS 2 data

26-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

One gram per day of EPA plus DHA omega-3s does not appear to slow normal age-related cognitive decline in people over 70, suggests data from the AREDS 2 eye study.

Is one large weekly dose of omega-3 more effective than smaller daily doses?

29-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A big weekly dose of omega-3s may lead to greater omega-3 deposits in body tissues than smaller daily doses, says a new study from Australia.

Special edition: Innovations in Delivery Systems

DSM: ‘Consumers are searching for new ways to add omega-3s into their diet’

27-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Consumers demand for omega-3 fatty acids in a beverage is ‘strong’ with select categories showing very strong growth, says DSM Nutritional Products.

‘Expanding the innovative ingredient options’: Glanbia launches omega-3 powder

16-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Glanbia Nutritionals has launched a new omega-3 powder for inclusion in multi-ingredient applications, including tablet, capsule, melt and powdered beverage applications.

Chia seeds fail to boost athletic performance but athletes ‘should still include them in their diet’

06-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Runners adding chia seeds to their diet in the belief that it will boost athletic performance may be disappointed to hear that the ‘superfood’ may not enhance their performance, says a new study from the Appalachian State University.

Omega-3s show ‘positive effects’ for athletic endurance and muscle function

01-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of omega-3s may improve neuromuscular function and aspects of fatigue for athletes, says a new study from the University of Toronto.

O-3 coalition names science board to boost credibility, help maintain momentum

26-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Omega 3 Coalition, a group formed to support the positive messaging to the public around the cardiovascular disease benefits of the ingredients, has formed a scientific advisory council, it was announced yesterday.

Too much time in front of a screen? Omega-3s may ease computer-related dry eye

22-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily omega-3 supplements may improve symptoms of dry eye associated with prolonged exposure to computer screens, says a new study from India.

Texas storms disrupt Qualitas algal production: ‘It’s a setback but we’re still in a unique position,’ says CEO

11-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Recent heavy storms and flooding in Texas have impacted the algae production facility of Qualitas Health, but the company has already implemented an ‘emergency action plan’ and expects to be operating at expanded capacity by the end of the year.

Euromonitor runs rule over recent nutraceutical award winners

25-May-2015 By Simone Baroke

Market analyst Euromonitor International dissects recent NutraIngredients Awards winners to provide category perspective from sustainable omega-3 to healthy ageing in this guest article.

Omega-3s may slow age-associated muscle loss: RCT data

22-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Fish oil-derived omega-3s may slow the normal decline in muscle mass and function in healthy older people, says a new study from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.

Omega-3 consumption could enhance ‘cognitive flexibility’ in older adults

22-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

A higher consumption of omega-3 fatty acids could lead to better cognitive flexibility in adults at risk of late-onset Alzheimer's, say researchers.

DHA supplements may help restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle: Mechanism mooted

19-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA helps to restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle by blocking inflammation and the accumulation of other lipid intermediates, say researchers.

Emerging technologies will help take probiotics and other digestive health ingredients to the next level: Bayer HealthCare Scientist

18-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Emerging methodologies and technologies such as the Smart Pill, non-invasive molecular methods using exfoliated epithelial cells, and uBiome, need further consideration and evaluation from key stakeholders to identify their validity as markers of digestive...

Science short

Omega-3s may boost performance for cyclists: Study

06-May-2015

Supplements containing omega-3s may increase concentrations of NO and boost blood flow, thereby enhancing exercise performance in cyclists, says a new study from Poland.

Low maternal DHA seriously impacts baby brain development: Frog findings

16-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Maternal deprivation of essential omega-3 fatty acids has a significant impact on the development of the brain, in particular dendrite maturation and synaptic connectivity, say researchers.

Superior bioavailability? Study backs krill oil over fish oil … but not because of phospholipids

13-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Krill oil may have better bioavailability of the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA compared to fish oil, but variations are not because of differences between phospholipids and triglycerides, say researchers.

Omega-3 supplementation could offer MCI benefits: Pilot study

09-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with a drink containing 2000 mg of omega-3 and mixed botanicals could have ‘significant’ immune and biochemical effects in people that have minor cognitive impairment (MCI), new research suggests.

April 8, 14:00 CET: Experts debate hot issues in NutraIngredients omega-3 forum

Omega-3 hits €25bn but can it keep growing?

03-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

Are omega-3 fisheries really under threat? How many functional foods have cracked omega-3 blockbuster status? How is the sector recovering from the ‘Brasky effect’? How are developing markets developing? How is the latest research influencing regulation?...

DHA supplements for lactating women may offer breast milk and baby benefits

02-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with DHA omega-3 in lactating women increases breast milk levels of the essential fatty acid, and could help infants achieve a better omega 3:6 ratio, finds new research from Abbot Nutrition.

Omega-3 may help fight prostate cancer

19-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells, say scientists – challenging a 2013 study which claimed omega-3s increase the risk of prostate cancer by 71%.

Bioriginal results boost Omega Protein's bottom line

16-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Omega Protein corporation reported 55% year-over-year revenue growth in its fourth-quarter 2014 financial report, driven in large part by the contribution of omega-3 specialty supplier Bioriginal, which the company acquired in September of last year.

Newly available oilseed species features 'game changing' SDA content

16-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new, more efficient form of plant-based omega-3s is coming to market in the form of Ahiflower, the branded name of a special strain of an oilseed species that has been developed by British firm Technology Crops International to contain high levels of...

Latin America

Collapse of Peru fishery less significant than first feared, omega-3s suppliers say

11-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

The spike sent through the supply market for omega-3s by the closure of the anchovy fishing season in Peru has stimulated new sources of oil to come to the fore and has been mitigated by inventory built into the system, experts said.

Vertical integration positions Marine Ingredients to reap benefits of omega-3s turnaround

09-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Marine Ingredients is poised to reap the benefits of the expected rebound in the market for omega-3s with the opening of a new extraction facility in Alaska and the integration of its newly acquired factory in Norway, which it bought from BASF.

Vitamin D and omega-3 together may help mental illness

27-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Vitamin D and omega-3 could work together to improve cognitive function and social behaviour with particular relevance for battling ADHD, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, say researchers.

BlueOcean targets tablet form of omega-3 delivery via latest joint venture

23-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

BlueOcean NutraSciences has signed a joint venture agreement with a Canadian technology firm to bring a slow release tablet form of omega-3s to market using its algal and shrimp oils, the company announced last week. The technology could also be used...

Proven ingredients, omega-3s for cross sell key to success in cognitive health space, marketing experts say

20-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Marketers of cognitive support products experience some common pitfalls, according to experts at NutraScience Labs, the newly constituted marketing arm of Twinlab. Failure to rely on proven ingredients and lack of an omega-3 in the product lineup to provide...