Omega-3

Research updates on vitamin D, spearmint, omega-3, lutein, and zeaxanthin

Nutritional Outlook spoke with AlaskOmega representatives about a new pilot study showing that high-DHA fish-oil concentrate may support a healthy immune response in adults.

Aker BioMarine (Oslo, Norway) debuted promising new pilot-study data at last week’s Natural Products Expo West trade show, examining the benefits of the company’s Superba Boost krill oil concentrate for recovery of triathletes following high-intensity exercise.

Results from the pilot study showed that the high-DHA concentrate may indeed modulate human B-cell activity in middle-aged obese adults, but the study’s authors stressed the need for further testing in a larger cohort.

Omega-3s are poised for a comeback, thanks to innovation in the category and new research initiatives. 

GOED issued a statement to its members affirming several points, including that the meta-analysis, which showed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had no significant associations with CHD death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, any coronary heart disease events, or major vascular events, adds little to the current body of evidence surrounding omega-3s and cardiovascular risk factors.

The acquisition is part of Frutarom’s merger plan to “enable the rapid, efficient, and comprehensive integration of the global activities of both companies.”

The novel omega-3 technology is designed to accelerate the nutrient’s absorption and ensure its delivery to the sites where the body most needs it.

The report has been posted to the Codex Alimentarius Commission website.

The “GOED Best-Practice Guidelines on Oxidation Control” were developed to help GOED members prevent and minimize the risk of oxidation that threatens omega-3 oils at multiple points along the value chain, from processing to the encounter with the consumer.

The latest research on brain health ingredients indicates products are meeting consumer needs and offer significant opportunity for category growth.

A look at why CoQ10 has remained a go-to heart health ingredient for decades.

In its response, the ITC stated that “Amarin’s complaint does not allege an unfair method of competition or an unfair act cognizable under 19 U.S.C. § 1337(a)(1)(A), as required by the statute and the Commission’s rules.”

The study is the latest product of a long-term collaboration that Rimfrost established with the University of Bergen for the purpose of learning more about the biological effects and mechanisms of action of proteins and lipids derived from Antarctic krill.

In its letter to the ITC, FDA “respectfully submits” that the Commission not initiate an investigation, citing several reasons.

How softgels help overcome omega-3 delivery challenges and yield a high-quality end product. 

The company says its Omega-3 Index DHA and EPA testing campaign is a way “to raise awareness of the essentiality of EPA and DHA.”

Aker BioMarine and the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund strengthen their mission to protect the Antarctic krill ecosystem.

The company says that the new DHA concentrates meet consumer demand for 100%-sustainable DHA formulations.

Will brands and formulators have to do better than simply offering higher concentrates in order to keep consumer interested in omega-3s supplements?

In two filings submitted to the International Trade Commission, CRN argued that Amarin was “financially motivated” to expand its near monopoly over a subset of omega-3 products; if successful, CRN says, Amarin’s complaint would make it much more difficult and costly for consumers to access those products.

The event, which will take place February 6-8 in Seattle, will cover important issues and controversies in the omega-3 market.

Amarin’s ITC complaint alleges that synthetically produced omega-3 products that are predominantly composed of EPA in either ethyl ester or re-esterified form are not considered “dietary ingredients” under Section 201(ff)(1) of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, and thus, are not legal dietary supplements but unapproved new drugs.

The meta-analysis, comprising 14 randomized, controlled trials featuring 71,899 subjects, found that omega-3s EPA and DHA supplementation may reduce the risk of cardiac death by 8%, and that benefits may be even greater for subjects with elevated triglycerides or LDL cholesterol.

Neptune will quit its bulk krill oil manufacturing and distribution business, with remaining krill oil inventory and IP transferring to Aker BioMarine.

The company says that its new K-Real Gold krill oil features greater levels of highly concentrated omega-3s and astaxanthin and is free of TMAO and TMA.

This standard is the first Codex Alimentarius standard for fish oil as well as krill oil.

Algae address today’s demands for plant-based, sustainable ingredients. 

According to the company, the agreement is expected to triple Qualitas’s production, helping it achieve a “critical mass to become a sustainable omega-3 alternative at commercial scale.”

GOED discusses how our understanding of omega-3's role in human health has evolved over time.