Ahiflower oil omega-3 maintains heart and brain DHA, study finds

Natures Crops International welcomes new research affirming that mammals can form as much docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as needed from plant-based omega-3 sources that do not contain DHA or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). 

While EPA and DHA are linked to various health benefits, plants contain the omega-3s stearidonic acid (SDA) and alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), which the body needs to convert. Previous research indicates that ALA is not a good source, but that SDA is a promising alternative. 

An eight-week mouse trial compared two SDA-rich plant oils — Ahiflower and Echium oil — with soya oil, which does not contain this omega-3 acid. The researchers assessed EPA and DHA levels in the heart, brain, liver, and adipose tissues, and in blood plasma and cells. The mice received the same daily intake levels of these oils, 4% of fats.

The study shows that Ahiflower, Echium, and soya oils all maintained heart and brain DHA levels comparably, while Ahiflower and Echium oils raised red blood levels of DHA significantly more than soya oil.

The researchers conclude that Echium and Ahiflower oils, at the dose applied in the study, “could provide enough ALA+SDA to maintain the needs in high-priority tissues, such as the brain and heart.”

Plant-based omegas

Natures Crops International notes that the study adds to a growing body of evidence that supports plant-based omega-3s and contradicts the perception that these omegas are ineffective at supporting DHA status.

Natures Crops International says the study challenges the common perception that plant-based omegas are poorly converted to DHA.Greg Cumberford, science lead at Natures Crops International, says the study challenges the dominant view that plant-based omegas are “poorly” converted to DHA.

“Rather, it demonstrates the mammal body’s affinity for plant-based ALA+SDA sources, which significantly raise EPA and maintain DHA levels across the whole body. When DHA is required to support brain and heart function, the body rapidly and efficiently makes it.”

The study authors note that the plateau observed in the study in tissue DHA enrichment appears to be driven more by physiological constraints on tissue incorporation than by inefficiencies in the metabolic conversion of omega-3 precursors.

Last year, a study warned that three-quarters of the global population is deficient in omega-3s. However, global fish and krill oil sources of DHA and EPA are insufficient to fill this gap through sustainable production.

Nutrition Insight previously explored harmful krill trawling techniques and discussed balancing the need for krill-based supplements with the need to protect fragile marine ecosystems with Aker BioMarine.

EPA support

The study, published in Lipids, used Echium oil (Echium plantagineum L.) provided by De Wit Specialty Oils, and Ahiflower oil (Buglossoides arvensis) from Natures Crops International.

It showed that Ahiflower oil raised overall EPA levels in red blood cells, plasma, and brain tissue more significantly than Echium and soya oil. Ahiflower and Echium oil both increased liver, adipose, and heart EPA levels significantly more than soya oil.

Research links omega-3s to benefits in brain function and heart health.“This new animal study supports dietary Ahiflower oil for its heart health and exercise performance value, notably for raising EPA across all tissues studied, including the heart, and more significantly in red blood cells and plasma than Echium oil,” comments Cumberford.

“It also shows how the body closely controls DHA accrual in heart and brain tissues thought to benefit most from higher omega-3 intakes.”

Moreover, Ahiflower oil showed the best results in lowering omega-6 arachidonic acid (ARA) in all tissues and blood samples. Natures Crops International notes that high circulating and tissue ARA levels are associated with elevated body inflammation levels.

The company says that previous research also showed Ahiflower consistently lowered the ARA:EPA ratio, which it says is a clinical marker of inflammatory status in, for example, post-exercise recovery, hormonal balance, and metabolic dysfunction.

Last year, research linked a blend of Ahiflower seed oil and plant oils to better gut and liver health than a medical nutrition fish oil blend. Vegaven, developed by researchers, was well tolerated, lowered liver, pancreas, and brain inflammation, enhanced insulin signaling, and improved whole-body glucose control.