AAK’s new DHA solution claims to outperform algal and fish oil in metabolism boost

AAK has released its new solution to support metabolic and immune health, AkoVita OptiSyn. The ingredient is a unique combination of omega-3 DHA and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in a proprietary ratio that claims to outperform traditional sources like algae and fish oil. 

AkoVita OptiSyn maximizes DHA’s effect by boosting its uptake in the cell membranes of adipose tissue, where it becomes biologically active.

Trials have revealed omega-3 DHA to be a powerful weapon in the fight against metabolic syndrome. However, not all the DHA consumed reaches human cell membranes, where it is needed — a target area AkoVita OptiSyn addresses.

“We know that DHA is effective against obesity-induced metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese adults, but the challenge has been to deliver DHA to where it matters in the body; cell membranes,” says Theo van Kempen, team leader of health science at AAK and professor at North Carolina State University, US.

“It is from the cell membranes that DHA has to be recruited to produce anti-inflammatory mediators like resolvins and protectins. The PC in AkoVita OptiSyn works in synergy with the DHA to boost its digestion, uptake, transport, and function, resulting in a 150% increase in adipose tissue cell membrane DHA.”

Excess body weight causes this significant threat to global health, which increases the risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

Aside from increasing the risk of developing serious health conditions, excess fat creates a vicious downward cycle in immune health by promoting chronic inflammation. This, in turn, exacerbates metabolic dysfunction, leading to further inflammation.

Formulation performance and applications

Next to being marketed as more effective than algae or fish DHA oil, AkoVita OptiSyn claims to be less prone to oxidation or the development of off-flavors. It can also be stored at under 25°C, eliminating the need for adding separate choline salts.

AAK highlights that a growing number of consumers are looking for functional food and drinks to boost their health. Most of the DHA and omega-3 supplements on the market are capsules, jellies, or gummies.

Addressing the niche, the specialist producer of plant-based oil and fat ingredients has created prototypes for an oat-based chocolate drink and an enteral drink containing AkoVita OptiSyn.

“AkoVita OptiSyn delivers a range of formulation, production, and storage benefits compared with DHA alternatives, and we’re really excited about how it can be incorporated into a wide range of recipes and product types,” says Isabela Prado, commercial product manager at AAK.

“There is a growth market for functional drinks aimed at improving health, so this is a great opportunity to work with us to develop the sort of new enteral and functional drinks that consumers are looking for.”

AAk says its launch represents a new approach to tackling metabolic syndrome. It is currently working with partners to co-develop tailored solutions for their needs, based on the versatility of AkoVita OptiSyn.

“This means we can pioneer a new future for delivering greater DHA benefits without using more DHA, and we are excited to use our expertise in special nutrition and application to help our customers incorporate AkoVita OptiSyn into new or existing products for their markets,” concludes Prado.