Vegetable Omega-3® — vegansk

Marine algae have a high natural content of DHA and EPA

Most people believe that fish produce omega-3 themselves. This is most likely due to the fact that omega-3 is often equated with fish oil in the public domain, which is actually a misunderstanding. Omega-3 and fish oil are NOT the same thing. It is well understood that there is a connection between the two. Fish oils contain omega-3, as well as a lot of other by-products.

Fish oil is naturally extracted from fish, but the process of producing fish oil is very long and difficult. This is due, among other things, to the fact that many environmental toxins from the sea accumulate in the fish all the way up through the food chain.

New research has discovered the direct source of Omega-3! The situation is that fish only contain omega-3 (DHA and EPA) because they feed on marine algae. Especially the microalgae Schizochytrium sp. has a very high natural content of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.

What is marine algae?

Marine algae or microalgae also go by the name phytoplankton or phytoplankton. Their size varies from a few micrometers (one thousandth of a millimeter) to 0.5 millimeters, and despite their small size, they are the most important producer of organic matter and oxygen on the planet. In addition, certain microalgae grow so fast that they more than double their biomass every day.

In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, microalgae are full of important natural substances. They contain, for example, a high content of proteins with essential amino acids, strongly antioxidized pigments and antimicrobial substances, which can be used in food supplements, cosmetics, medicines and certain food ingredients. All in all, the microalgae contain a great many beneficial natural substances.

Eat the algae and avoid the fish

With the new product Vegetable Omega-3®, made from marine algae, you can now eat the direct source of omega-3. By utilizing the healthy microalgae Schizochytrium sp. you completely avoid the accumulation of environmental toxins through the food chain, since microalgae are the first link in the chain. In addition, the marine algae are sustainable and produced in controlled FDA-approved production facilities.

Furthermore, there is no risk of off-taste with Vegetable Omega-3®, as the capsule does not contain fish. Vegetarians and vegans can thus gain access to the important omega-3 fatty acids. The capsules are also small and easy to swallow.

What is omega-3?

Omega-3 fatty acids are a term for polyunsaturated (polyunsaturated) fatty acids. All the omega-3 fatty acids have in common that the first double bond is on the 3rd carbon atom from the methylene end. This position is also called ω-3 (omega-3) and hence the name omega-3 fatty acids.

Depending on which omega-3 fatty acid it is, they all consist of a carbon chain with a double bond on every 3rd carbon atom and an acid group on the last carbon atom (counting from the methylene end).

In addition, there are also omega-6 and -9 fatty acids. On omega-6 fatty acids, the first double bond is on the 6th carbon atom, hence the name omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-9 is a monounsaturated fatty acid, which means that it contains only one double bond, which is then located on the 9th carbon atom.

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for the body, and it is especially Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) that the body needs.

Functions of Omega-3

The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are built into the cell membrane that surrounds all body cells. As needed, they are converted into eicosanoids, which are a large group of hormone-like signaling substances. These include e.g. prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes. Eicosanoides can also be formed from omega-6 plant oil, but these are different from the eicosanoides formed from omega-3 fish oils or algae. The mutual balance of omega-6 and omega-3 eicosanoids has a decisive influence on the course of many physiological reactions in the body's metabolism, and as a rule of thumb, eicosanoids formed from omega-3 fish oils or algae are more beneficial than eicosanoids from omega-6 plant oils.

Since the omega-3 fatty acid DHA makes up between 20% - 30% of the brain's fats, the supply of DHA is particularly important for both the structure and function of the brain.

DHA before and after pregnancy

The DHA supply is also of great importance both before, during and after pregnancy for the development of the fetus/child's brain, heart and vision. During pregnancy, DHA is transferred from the mother to the fetus, and after birth, this transfer takes place via the breast milk during breastfeeding. It is therefore important that mothers are supplied with sufficient DHA in the form of omega-3 both before, during and after pregnancy.

DHA in eyes and brain

High concentrations of DHA are found in the retina of the eye, especially in the photoreceptors. DHA is of great importance for the signaling pathways that convert light signals into nerve activity. In fact, DHA and EPA are of great importance for the transfer of signaling substances from the end of the axon to the receptors in the cell membrane of all nerve cells. Therefore, the amount of DHA and EPA has a great influence on all brain functions.

Omega-3 has a pliable effect on the cell membrane, and therefore makes it possible for the fat-soluble signaling substances to pass the fatty neuron membrane. Without DHA and EPA in the cell membranes, signaling substances such as Nor- Adrenaline, Dopamine, Acetylcholine and Serotonin would have difficulty passing through. These signaling substances are, among other things, help to determine mood and personality.