From heart health to longevity: Sustainability drives fermentation-powered omega-3 innovation

Omega-3s are gaining traction for their multiple health benefits and role in biological aging. The fatty acid has also gained popularity in the vegan community, leading the industry to explore new sources, formats, and tastes. Meanwhile, purchasing decisions are increasingly centered around ethical sourcing and ingredient transparency.

Nutrition Insight sits down with experts from dsm-firmenich, Aker BioMarine, Sirio, and GC Reiber VivoMega to discuss the latest trends in omega-3 and industry developments.

Brent MacDonald, director of Global Business Development for Algal Lipids at dsm-firmenich, tells us that the omega-3 category is evolving fast, moving away from traditional fish oil softgels and toward a new chapter that encompasses science, efficacy, format innovation, and sustainability.

“As such, we’re seeing strong momentum behind microalgal eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), thanks to their naturally high potency and purity and reliable supply independent of marine ecosystems.”

When it comes to formats, the industry is shifting toward gummies, powders, high-potency mini-softgels, and functional foods, enabled by new technologies that improve stability and taste — elevating the consumer experience, says MacDonald.

“At the same time, omega-3 is expanding into life stage-specific and benefit-driven applications from longevity and cognition to maternal health, sleep, and stress resilience.”

Lisa Miller, global communications director at Aker BioMarine Human Ingredients, adds: “There is no question that consumers are continuing to prioritize quality, absorption, and sustainability in their supplement choices, helping to steer omega-3 trends today.”

“Superba Krill Oil, Aker BioMarine’s flagship ingredient, is continuing to gain attention in the omega-3 space. Delivering a natural composition of key nutrients — including omega-3 EPA and DHA, choline, and astaxanthin — it delivers nutritional excellence for multiple health benefits.”

Miller says the ingredient’s phospholipid form allows the body to efficiently absorb, transport, and utilize its nutrients to support cellular, organ, and whole-body health.

“Backed by more than 50 human clinical studies and official health claims, its benefits are extensively validated by scientific research. In addition, it is harvested from one of the world’s most sustainable fisheries, certified for low environmental impact, traceability, and ecological responsibility. These attributes position Superba Krill Oil as an ideal choice within the growing and evolving omega-3 category.”

Plant-based alternatives

Alongside efficacy, purchasing decisions are also being shaped by growing expectations around transparency and responsible sourcing, details Ståle Søfting, chief commercial officer at GC Reiber VivoMega.

Consumers are paying closer attention to factors such as ethical sourcing and traceability when selecting omega-3 products.He says consumers are paying closer attention to factors such as ethical sourcing, traceability, and third-party certifications when selecting omega-3 products.

“Another notable trend is the rising interest in [plant-based] omega-3 alternatives. This shift is driven by both sustainability concerns and evolving dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian lifestyles. At the same time, demand for traditional marine-derived omega-3s remains strong, driving growth across both fish- and plant-based markets.”

To meet these evolving expectations, GC Rieber VivoMega provides algae-derived and marine omega-3 concentrates.

“The products provide industry-leading total oxidation value parameters and are produced using proprietary processes that prioritize raw material utilization, minimizing waste while ensuring quality, consistency, and stability. These processes also contribute to a premium sensory profile.”

Miller also points out the increasing popularity of algae-derived omega-3s for vegan- and vegetarian-based consumers.

“To help address this market need, Aker BioMarine recently introduced Revervia, a high natural concentration of DHA algae (40–60%) with no molecular alterations. Pure and unmodified by nature, Revervia is produced through a low-impact fermentation process with a minimal environmental footprint,” she says.

“Designed with consumer experience in mind, it offers a pleasant sensory profile with minimal smell and taste, making it well-suited for capsules, powders, and a wide range of functional formats for brand innovation.”

Algae vs. fish-based omega’s

Elena Gromoboeva, global marketing lead for dietary supplements at dsm-firmenich, outlines the main health benefits of microalgal vs. fish omega-3.

“The health benefits from microalgal and fish oil omega-3s are provided by the same essential fatty acids — EPA and DHA — which are clinically proven to support multiple health areas, including heart, brain, eye, immune, and maternal health.”

While EPA and DHA work in the same way once they enter the body, a key difference lies in how these omega-3s are sourced and produced.She says clinical research confirms that EPA and DHA are bioequivalent regardless of their source, meaning that microalgal and fish oil omega-3s provide the same health benefits.

“Recent research further highlights the potential of microalgal omega-3 in healthy aging. Insights from Europe’s largest healthy aging trial showed that a combination of microalgal omega-3 from dsm-firmenich (life’s Omega), vitamin D, and exercise over three years helped rejuvenate biological age by up to 10%. These findings support our Age Slower concept, which combines life’s Omega with Quali-D (vitamin D) to deliver clinically supported longevity benefits.”

While EPA and DHA work in the same way once they enter the body, a key difference lies in how these omega-3s are sourced and produced.

She explains that algal-derived omega-3 is naturally high in potency compared with standard fish oil, making it an efficient and targeted source of EPA and DHA.

“There are also important differences in supply and sustainability. Fish oil omega-3 depends on finite fisheries and can be influenced by climate variability, seasonal quotas, and potential exposure to marine contaminants. In contrast, microalgal omega-3 is produced in controlled environments with no exposure to ocean pollutants.”

Demand for potency

Sara Lesina, general manager at Sirio Europe, details that the most noticeable shift in demand in recent years is that consumers expect more from products.

“Today’s consumers are increasingly health-conscious but also time-poor, meaning they seek supplements that deliver multiple holistic benefits in a single, effective dose. This trend is driving growing demand for omega-3s, which are clinically proven to support a wide range of health areas, including the heart, brain, and eyes.”

MacDonald from dsm-firmenich points out that younger consumers seek nutrition that promotes vitality and resilience.“Multi-benefit solutions are important, but there are two things people are no longer willing to compromise on — taste and efficacy. In fact, sensory appeal and performance now lead supplement purchase decisions globally, with 43% of consumers calling for greater efficacy and up to 45% citing pleasant taste as a key format driver.”

Lesina explains that historically, this made omega-3 a challenging category: fish oils often left unpleasant aftertastes, high-potency doses were difficult to stabilize, and even enteric coatings sometimes failed to fully mask flavors while maintaining absorption.

Søfting adds that consumers are increasingly seeking omega-3 products with higher potency levels of DHA and EPA, while maintaining smaller capsule sizes and improved sensory profiles that minimize fishy taste or odor, which comes down to purification processes and oxidation control.

“Beyond product format and potency, transparency has become a major driver of purchasing decisions. It has moved from a trend into an expectation,” he says.

MacDonald from dsm-firmenich points out that younger consumers seek nutrition that promotes vitality and resilience.

“These shifts are being shaped by broader macro trends such as rising health aspirations, increasing digital stress, personalized health, and the desire for environmentally responsible choices. As a result, innovative microalgal omega-3 solutions are growing significantly faster than traditional oils,” he says.

Looking at the future of omega-3

Looking forward, Lesina says omega-3 has moved from a largely commoditized supplement to a category driven by innovation and consumer experience.

“Formulations today are designed to meet high expectations for taste, convenience, and performance — something that was rare even five years ago. Sirio is at the forefront of this shift, with platforms like Plantegrity and LifeChews delivering high-payload omega-3 in formats that are both effective and enjoyable.”

She adds that growth will focus on products that combine maximum bioavailability with sensory appeal, while responding to regulatory changes such as EU packaging recyclability and the European Food Safety Authority’s DHA intake reassessment.

“Consumers are also demanding transparency around EPA versus DHA content and the origin of ingredients. That’s why we’re proud to be Friends of the Sea certified. This certification guarantees that the omega-3 ingredients we use are responsibly sourced, with measurable safeguards in place to protect ocean biodiversity and support long-term marine sustainability.”

Miller from Aker BioMarine adds that science is an area that has transformed within the omega-3 category over the past years, “with krill oil at the core.”

Miller from Aker BioMarine says science has transformed within the omega-3 category over the past years, with krill oil at the core.Once considered a heart health-exclusive ingredient, krill oil is emerging into new health areas, helping to drive innovation. She exemplifies the potential for krill oil in the next wave of GLP-1 companion solutions.

“Millions of people are now taking GLP-1 medications, and there is no question that companion products are addressing a real need. This signals that it’s not just a passing fad but an emerging sector that will continue to grow and evolve.”

“Rapid weight loss can inadvertently reduce strength, slow metabolism, and increase the likelihood of regaining weight, making muscle preservation a key factor in sustainable results. Aker BioMarine is pioneering studies in this area,” adds Miller.

Gromoboeva from dsm-firmenich adds that over time, the omega-3 market has progressed through distinct waves — from marine harvesting to refinement to resource optimization.

“Today, we are entering the fermentation era, where EPA and DHA can be produced directly from the original source — microalgae — at scale. This marks a fundamental shift as the industry is less reliant on traditional fish-based sources, moving from a finite, season-sensitive supply model to one of greater abundance, resilience, consistency, predictability, and scalability.”

“At the same time, scientific understanding of omega-3 has advanced significantly, from heart-health basics to breakthrough findings in multiple health areas, including longevity, with evidence showing that microalgal EPA and DHA can help slow biological aging,” she concludes.