FAREWELL
FISH
OIL?
WHAT YOUR CLIENTS
SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
ALGAE SUPPLEMENTS
Many clients take omega-3 supplements in the form of fish oil. But could it be better to cut out the
‘middlefish’ and go straight to the source?
WORDS: RYAN ANDREWS
f you or your clients are confused
about omega-3 supplements,
you’re not alone. With all the
options out there, not to mention the
conflicting advice, it’s no wonder that people
walk out of the vitamin store empty-handed
– or buy supplements but leave them to
collect dust in the medicine cabinet.
But there are some potential benefits to
various supplements. Here’s why algae oil
supplements might be a good option for
some people.
I
What is algae, anyway?
One of the most abundant forms of life
in the world, algae are marine-based
photosynthesising organisms – living
things that inhabit water and make energy
from sunlight.
In other words, they’re plants in water.
But because they lack many of the features
of land-based plants (leaves and roots),
algae are categorised differently.
There are simple algae – one-celled
organisms – and then there’s seaweed,
which is just a bunch of algae that decided
to go into business together.
Why are algae so good for you?
In essence, algae have three components
that make them nourishing to eat:
• Phytochemicals: we know that these
plant pigments, including chlorophyll, can
be beneficial to human health, although
we don’t know all of the phytochemicals
or exactly how they work.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: these include
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eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Most of
your clients probably associate
omega-3s with fish oil supplements, but
in fact they originate in algae.
• Marine minerals: algae absorb minerals
like iodine, magnesium, potassium, and
calcium. Consuming iodine from dietary
sources such as seaweed is essential for
thyroid health.
What your clients should know
about algae oil supplements
Sure, there may be green stuff growing in
your goldfish tank, but I don’t recommend
you lick it (leave it for the plecostomus, those
funny fish that suction their way along the
panes of the aquarium).
Algae oil supplements are produced
under strictly controlled laboratory conditions
– meaning they’ve got a respectable
concentration of the nutrients listed above.
Specifically, algae oil supplements may
be your clients’ best bet at increasing their
intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3s can improve:
• cardiovascular function
• nervous system function
• immunity
• memory and concentration
• mood
• neurotransmission
• insulin sensitivity and nutrient
partitioning
• body composition.
Human beings evolved on diets consisting of
marine life, wild game and/or inland plants.
This type of diet provided sufficient omega-3
fats, which resulted in an omega-6/omega-3
ratio that’s estimated to have been between
2:1 and 8:1 for our ancestors.