Algal oil is a vegan source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that supports brain and nervous system function, and the maintenance of healthy blood lipids and cardiovascular health.^1,2 With similar therapeutic effects and benefits as fish oil, algal oil provides an effective alternative for optimising intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Fishing for answers to omega-3 deficiency

Are you getting enough omega-3s? Research shows you’re probably not. A surprisingly low 20% of Australians meet the recommended omega-3 intake for optimal health.³ Oily fish and seafood are the richest dietary sources⁴ however deficiency can result in those who avoid marine products.⁵ Vegans and vegetarians, people with seafood allergies, or those avoiding fish due to taste preference are at particular risk.

Studies consistently show that EPA and DHA are deficient in vegan and vegetarian diets.⁵ Vegetarian populations have up to 60% lower omega-3 indices (a measure of EPA and DHA in the blood) than those who consume marine products.⁶

Many vegetarians rely on alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) from flax, chia and hemp seeds, walnuts and canola or soy oil as their main dietary source of omega-3s. The human body can convert ALA to EPA and DHA through a series of desaturation and elongation reactions, however the conversion rate is low.^2,7 Accordingly, intake of EPA and DHA through the diet or supplements becomes important.²

The Algal Oil Alternative

Consuming fish and fish oil are effective ways to boost EPA and DHA intake, but interestingly, microalgae are the primary producers of long-chain omega-3s in the marine food chain. Fish naturally consume microalgae, with the added benefit of onboarding these valuable fats.^6,8

Figure 1. Microalgae are the primary food source of marine and freshwater food chains.^{Adapted from 8}

As a non-animal source of EPA and DHA, algal oil is an appealing alternative for vegans and vegetarians and those seeking to avoid fish. Algal oil derived from Schizochytrium sp. microalgae is particularly rich in bioavailable DHA.⁷ Algal sources of DHA have been shown to significantly improve DHA concentrations (including plasma, serum, platelet and red blood cell fractions), as well as omega-3 indices, in vegetarian populations.⁶

A+ for purity and environmental sustainability

With worldwide demand for omega-3 strong, there is increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of overfishing and potential depletion of fish stocks.² This puts algal oil in the spotlight as a sustainable therapeutic option that also helps protect our planet and its ecosystems into the future.

Schizochytrium sp. algae are derived from single strains cultured, grown, and extracted for their internal store of oils.⁹ Farmed algal oil has minimal environmental impact as it is not in contact with the marine environment and does not utilise chemicals or fertilizers for growth or processing. Due to strict growing conditions and refinement techniques, algal oil comes from a pure source and is toxin free. Not being a seafood, it is low allergenic as well as being vegan, kosher and halal.

The Many Benefits of Omega-3s

Decades of research support the therapeutic use of fish oil and health benefits obtained from regular intake of EPA and DHA. As the original source of these long-chain fatty acids, algal oil has similar, equivalent therapeutic effects.⁹ Algal oils and fish oils nearly always demonstrate equality in dose-dependent omega-3 studies.⁹

The major benefits of omega-3s include the reduction of cardiovascular disease risks, including high triglyceride level, high blood pressure and inflammation, as well improvements in cardiac and vascular functions.^2,10 Additionally, omega-3s play an important role in promoting visual and brain development in infants, children and adolescents.^2,11,12 As precursors of anti-inflammatory mediators (e.g. eicosanoids and resolvins), an optimal or increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids also supports immune and neurological function and mental health.^2,13  

Algal Oil Across the Lifespan

EPA and DHA are involved in all phases of life, from pre- and post-natal development to healthy aging and in between through the maintenance of an effective immune system, neurological and cardiovascular functions.¹

Algal DHA (600 mg/day) improved pregnancy outcomes and led to longer gestation duration (2.9 days; p=0.041) and greater birth weight (172 g; p=0.004), length (0.7 cm; p=0.022) and head circumference (0.5 cm; p=0.012) compared to placebo. Mothers taking algal oil had fewer early preterm births (4.8% vs. 0.6%; p=0.025) and shorter hospital stays for infants born preterm (40.8 vs. 8.9 days; p=0.026).¹⁴

Supporting school performance, multiple trials report that algal DHA (400 to 1200 mg/day) produces subtle but favourable effects on at least one area of cognition or behaviour (sustained attention, listening comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, or reading underperformance) in healthy children aged 4-10 years.^15,16,17,18

Algal DHA (900 mg/day) improved learning and episodic memory functions in adults (≥55 years) with age-related cognitive decline, supporting cognitive health with ageing.¹⁹

In Conclusion

As the original source of EPA and DHA in the food chain, algal oil is an excellent option for optimising omega-3 essential fatty acid intake for vegans and vegetarians, those with seafood allergies and environmentally conscious consumers. Good for human health, algal oil supports health across the lifespan.

 

References

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2. Liu Y, Ren X, Fan C, Wu W, Zhang W, Wang Y. Health Benefits, Food Applications, and Sustainability of Microalgae-Derived N-3 PUFA. Foods. 2022 Jun 25;11(13):1883. doi: 10.3390/foods11131883.
3. Yeiser M, et al. Growth and tolerance of infants fed formula with a new algal source of docosahexaenoic acid: double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2016 Dec;115:89-96.
4. Meyer BJ. Australians are not meeting the recommended intakes for omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: results of an analysis from the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Nutrients. 2016 Feb;8(3):111. doi: 10.3390/nu8030111
5. Burdge GC, et al. Long-chain n-3 PUFA in vegetarian women: a metabolic perspective. J Nutr Sci. 2017;6:e58.
6. Craddock JC, Neale EP, Probst YC, Peoples GE. Algal supplementation of vegetarian eating patterns improves plasma and serum docosahexaenoic acid concentrations and omega-3 indices: a systematic literature review. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2017 Dec;30(6):693-9. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12474
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8. Adarme-Vega TC, Lim DK, Timmins M, Vernen F, Li Y, Schenk PM. Microalgal biofactories: a promising approach towards sustainable omega-3 fatty acid production. Microb Cell Fact. 2012 Jul 25;11:96. doi: 10.1186/1475-2859-11-96. 
9. Doughman, S., Krupanidhi, S., Sanjeevi, C.B. (2016). DHA-Rich Algae Oil Is a Safe and Effective Vegetarian Source of Omega-3. In: Hegde, M., Zanwar, A., Adekar, S. (eds) Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Springer, Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-40458-5_21
10. Zhang B, et al. Fish consumption and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2020 Jul;12(8):2278.
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15. Richardson AJ, Burton JR, Sewell RP, Spreckelsen TF, Montgomery P. Docosahexaenoic acid for reading, cognition and behavior in children aged 7-9 years: a randomized, controlled trial (the DOLAB Study). PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e43909. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043909
16. Kuratko CN, Barrett EC, Nelson EB, Salem N. The relationship of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with learning and behavior in healthy children: a review. Nutrients. 2013 Jul;5(7):2777-2810. doi: 10.3390/nu5072777.
17. McNamara RK, Able J, Jandacek R, Rider T, Tso P, Eliassen JC, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation increases prefrontal cortex activation during sustained attention in healthy boys: a placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Apr;91(4):1060-1067. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28549
18. Ryan AS, Nelson EB. Assessing the effect of docosahexaenoic acid on cognitive functions in healthy, preschool children: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2008 May;47(4):355-362. doi: 10.1177/0009922807311730
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