Omega-3s best kept secrets: the lesser-known benefits that meet trending consumer health concerns

• Omega-3s eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are well-known for delivering proven heart, brain and eye health benefits, but a growing body of evidence shows that there is so much more. For dietary supplement manufacturers, this is an exciting opportunity to attract new consumers.
• As consumers adopt a more holistic approach to their health, research shows that omega-3s EPA and DHA also help support optimal immunity, sports performance, positive mood and better sleep quality.
• In this article, we explore how re-thinking the benefits of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAS) EPA and DHA can help make omega-3s more relevant than ever to a new generation of consumers.

Re-thinking the benefits of omega-3s

Did you know that there are more than 40,000 published studies on EPA and DHA, including more than 4,000 human clinical trials? Well-known for the important role they play in supporting optimal cardiovascular, brain and visual health, it’s no wonder that consumer awareness of omega-3s is - higher than some vitamins and minerals, and nearly twice the familiarity as fiber!¹ Even with increasing knowledge of the health benefits and food sources of omega-3s, less than 20% of the world's population consume the recommended intake of omega-3s of ≥ 250 mg/day.²

Are we missing an opportunity to increase omega-3 consumption?

As consumers look to adopt a more holistic approach to their health and wellbeing, here are four lesser-known, science-backed health benefits of omega-3s that appeal to a new generation of consumers:

1. Optimizing immunity

A healthy immune system helps to fight infection and disease and studies suggest that nutrients like omega-3s play an important role in supporting normal immune function. Inflammation is a key component of the immune system and research indicates that, in adults, it is the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 LCPUFAs that contribute to normal immune function.³ For instance, inflammation typically resolves quickly at the end of the immune response, due to activation of specific negative-feedback mechanisms. This helps to minimize damage to tissues and promotes healing after the inflammatory response is triggered. EPA and DHA have been shown to play a part in this process, and those present at the site of inflammation are enzymatically converted to specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) known as resolvins, protectins, and maresins. These molecules, along with others, function together to coordinate the resolution of inflammation and to support healing.^4,5

In individuals with low levels of omega-3s, the resolution of inflammation can delayed which may reduce their resistance to disease and infection. Moreover, with immunity now a top priority for consumers of all ages, it is likely that more consumers in general will seek solutions targeting this health area. Consumers can help ensure optimal immune function via intake of at least 250 mg/d EPA and DHA. ⁶

2. Aiding fitness and recovery

As consumers look to lead more active lifestyles, their awareness of the importance of healthy muscle mass, strength and functionality for overall health and quality of life has increased – and so have the number of sports nutrition solutions aimed at meeting these needs. Research has shown that omega-3 LCPUFAs have many benefits for the categories of sports performance, muscle recovery and cardio-respiratory fitness. For example, a number of studies highlight the positive effects of EPA and DHA on muscle recovery after exercise and physical activity.^7,8,9,10 Further reports indicate the benefits of omega-3s on cardio-respiratory fitness, i.e. the ability of the circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen to skeletal muscles during sustained physical activity. This further helps boost performance, as studies have also shown that EPA and DHA can help decrease heart rate and oxygen consumption during exercise.^{11,12,13,14,15}

Additional research has demonstrated that omega-3 LCPUFAs may improve heart rate recovery after exercise.^16,17 Similar to its effects on the immune system, it is the anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 LCPUFAs that are gaining the most interest in this field, with omega-3 DHA and EPA supplementation thought to attenuate exercise-induced inflammation. Taken together with their positive influence on muscle protein synthesis, it is clear that omega-3 LCPUFAs have an important role to play in muscle health, performance and can help support active living.

3. Maintaining a balanced mood

More than ever brain health and mood balance are top concerns among consumers. Mood disorders across the lifespan especially have become an increasingly important area of research, and growing evidence demonstrates that omega-3 fatty acids may help to support a healthy mood. During early life, DHA is well-known to have a positive long-term effect on neurocognitive development.¹⁸ It is also recognized as an essential nutrient for overall brain health throughout life, supporting almost every area of brain function, including attention and learning, cognitive health, and both EPA and DHA omega-3s have more recently shown positive effects on the reduction of symptoms associated with mood disorders.

Increasing evidence suggests that lower levels of omega-3 in the plasma is linked to poorer mental health, including those related to mood.^19,20,21,22 In fact, depression appears to be less common in nations where people eat large amounts of fish.²³ This theory is further supported by studies focusing on prenatal depression – a common mood disorder that is present in some women during and after pregnancy. In a study in 2014, results showed that omega-3 supplementation helped women maintain a healthy mood after giving birth.²⁴ Additionally, supplementation with omega-3s has also been shown in some instances to support and maintain a healthy, balanced mood during pregnancy

4. Improving sleep quality

A good night’s sleep is one of the foundations of optimal health. There are now some interesting scientific findings highlighting the benefits of omega-3s for sleep throughout life. For instance, regular fish consumption has been shown to improve, length and quality of sleep in adults and these benefits of omega-3 LCPUFAs, especially DHA, have also been demonstrated in children and adolescents.^25,26,27 One study investigating the effects of 600 mg/d DHA supplementation in children aged between 7-9 years of age found that sleep duration was increased by one hour after omega-3 intake was increased.²⁸ A further report showed that teenagers with the highest levels of DHA in their plasma slept 32 minutes longer on the weekends when supplemented with DHA over one week.²⁹ Low levels of DHA are also associated with lower levels of the hormone melatonin, which helps individuals fall asleep.³⁰ As more and more consumers become concerned about getting a good night’s sleep, on a regular basis, it is clear that omega-3s offer significant potential in helping to make this a reality.

The first and only commercially available plant-based omega-3 that delivers the health benefits of omega-3 EPA and DHA in a single source, life’s™OMEGA from dsm-firmenich is the 100% plant-based equivalent to traditional fish oil. Sourced directly from algae, life’s™OMEGA contains a potent combination of at least 500 mg/g of EPA+DHA (with a combination of min 150 mg/d EPA and min 300 mg/d DHA), making it 85% more potent than fish oil³¹! Manufactured in a fully controlled environment and extracted through a pure water process, it has no negative impact on the world’s fish population. Not only does this provide complete end-to-end traceability, but it allows dietary supplement manufacturers to develop effective and safe omega-3 solutions, all while meeting rising consumer demand for more sustainably sourced products.