Why should you take Vegan Omega 3?
What are Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
Omega 3 fatty acids are a type of fat that are essential in many fundamental processes in the body. The body does not actually produce Omega 3 on its own so we get our Omega 3 from certain foods that are rich in these fatty acids.
There are three types of Omega 3 fatty acids - DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid).
Studies have shown that including Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet help with:
- Reduced risk of heart failure and coronary disease [1]
- Lower level of inflammation in the body
- Maintaining eye and brain health
Most people get their DHA and EPA from consuming fish or taking fish oil supplements. However, aside from being unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians, fish and fish oil are also environmentally unsound, unethical and unsustainable. A far better alternative is Omega 3 obtained from algae, plant organisms that live in water.
Why are fish and fish oil unsustainable sources of Omega 3?
Omega 3 is found mostly in oily fish, such as salmon, and countless studies have shown that fishing has greatly damaged the global marine ecosystem. Currently the fishing industry is estimated to be 2-3 times larger than what the ocean can sustainably support.
Farmed salmon, specifically, has had a negative impact on the numbers of smaller fish in the marine ecosystem. A study carried out by researchers at Stirling University has shown that, as a result, fish now contain half the amount of Omega 3 that they did five years ago. [2]
This is because, contrary to popular belief, fish don’t actually contain Omega 3 themselves. They gain Omega 3 by consuming smaller fish such as anchovies and krill, which munch on Omega 3 rich micro algae. By cutting out the fishy middle man and turning to algae instead, we can get the purest form of Omega 3 and avoid the environmental consequences of fishing.
Algae vs. Fish as a source of Omega 3
Algae is nature’s original source of Omega 3, while fish is a few steps further up the food chain. This means that algae gives you the most direct and undiluted form of Omega 3, unlike farmed fish which gets the nutrients second hand and also carries the risk of high levels of mercury and other unwanted components. [3] Algae is safe from any risk of contaminants or pollutants, because it can be grown in a completely controlled environment where scientists can constantly monitor it to achieve the healthiest possible crop.
Algae is also far less likely than fish oil to cause digestive problems. Add in the lightning fast growth rate, quick turnover of algae farms and zero impact on overfishing, and it’s clear that algae is the future of Omega 3 consumption.
How can you incorporate algae into your life?
Unless you’re someone who lives near the waterfront and has access to fresh algae, the best way to incorporate it is through supplements. Algae can be converted into algae oil, consumed as a supplement. This is the easiest method of consumption because you don’t have to worry about how to incorporate algae into your cooking, you just take the supplements and go about your day.
Our brand new algae oil supplement Natural Vegan Omega is packed with 200mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to support your wellbeing including eye, brain and heart health. By taking 2 softgels a day, you can get the Omega 3 your body needs and do it easily, ethically and sustainably!