Youtheory grows plant-based omega portfolio preserving schools of marine life
22 Mar 2024 --- Southern Californian supplement brand youtheory is expanding its plant-based omega-3 offering — Ocean-Friendly Omega — across the US. The vegan softgels are packed with the highest purity docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) fatty acids from plants and are free of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl pollutants.
Part of the Jamieson Wellness portfolio of natural health brands, youtheory’s Ocean-Friendly Omega supports brain, eye and heart health while enhancing overall well-being. Every bottle preserves around 4 kg of marine life, contributing significantly to ocean conservation with every additional consumer.
“This new, direct way of sourcing omega-3s allows us to support ocean habitats while improving the standard and quality of the product, which makes our Ocean-Friendly Omega a superior choice,” says John Doherty, chief science and innovation officer at youtheory.
In other industry developments, the European Commission authorized DSM’s plant-based omega-3 solution for consumption and use in fish and meat alternatives across the EU.
According to DSM, the product will improve the nutritional profile of plant-based products and allow for next-generation products that mimic those of animal-based fish products.
Omega deficiency and marine depletion
Despite popular belief, omega-3s, including DHA and EPA, are synthesized through algae, not fish. Wild or farmed fish get the omega-3 content by eating algae, from which most benefits derive. As a result, sustainable algae sources can offset the irreversible damage caused by overfishing.
Meanwhile, about 80% of the population is deficient in omega-3, which drives the need for more alternative sources of fatty acids. Two youtheory Ocean-Friendly softgels a day are sufficient to boost omega-3 levels. “Seeking environmentally friendly alternative omega-3s that are equally efficacious was a challenging but rewarding process,” says Doherty.
The lifestyle brand sources its ingredients from sustainably sourced raw materials and is committed to best-in-class manufacturing processes, which guarantee purity, potency and traceability.
Meanwhile, researchers from Singapore’s Duke-NUS Medical School and the National University of Singapore demonstrated omega-3’s reduction of damaging effects on the aging brain via a special transporter protein that regulates brain cells.
Furthermore, Grøntvedt Biotech launched CETO3 for its cetoleic acid and omega-3 ingredient, omega-11. Cetoleic acid has been studied for its ability to convert plant-based omega-3 alpha-lipoic acid into EPA and DHA in liver cells. The product is finding applications in the heart and skin health arenas.
Holistic organic brand
Another feather in youtheory’s cap is its fully recyclable aluminum bottle, supported by How2Recycle, a standardized labeling system that communicates disposal instructions to consumers. “Our choice of a recyclable aluminum bottle will help keep discarded packaging out of the oceans and ensure they can take on a new life,” Doherty explains.
Because of the brand’s circular model, it won the Best Sustainable Supplement at the 2024 Nexty Awards at the Natural Products Expo West trade show, out of over 1,500 other products.
This month, Epax unveiled Omega 3-9-11, with all the benefits of omega-3 supplementation, including heart and brain health, with the added skin and metabolic benefits of omegas 9 and 11.
In addition, scientists have discovered new biomarkers of the omega-3 index to trace levels of the fatty acids in the blood, making it easier to extract information critical to cardiovascular and cognitive research.
By Inga de Jong
