DHA Omega-3 Ingredients New to GCI Nutrients Lineup

DHA omega-3 fatty acid ingredients have been added to the GCI Nutrients (Foster City, CA) ingredient portfolio. Derived from microalgae, the ingredients are vegetarian. The ingredients go by the brand name DHA-3 Sure and include a 35% oil, an oil powder, and a water-soluble version.

DHA-3 Sure Water-Soluble is a transparent, water-soluble DHA concentrate that the company says is suited for beverages, smoothies, and other liquid applications-without impacting flavor, taste, or appearance.

Technical director David Pihlcrantz, MPH, said the DHA-3 Sure ingredients are free of heavy metals, GMO, and hexane. “In the manufacturing process, microalgae (Crypthecodinium cohni) are grown through fermentation in large vats in a controlled environment that is free of heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants. Then, the DHA oil is extracted from the microalgae by a solvent-free extraction process.”

DHA omega-3 fatty acid has been linked to the development and health of the brain, retina, and nervous system in infants, children, and adults. It is also implicated in maintaining healthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels and a healthy inflammation response.

In addition to DHA, all DHA-3 Sure ingredients are high (approximately 16%) in omega-6 fatty acid docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). The company says this DPA level is high compared to the approximately 7% DPA found in fish oil. It says DPA may play an important role in cardiovascular and cognitive function.