Omega-3 Health Benefits Beyond Triglycerides

Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content

April 23, 2013

3 Min Read
Omega-3 Health Benefits Beyond Triglycerides

Current omega-3 drugs on the market are aimed only at lowering triglycerides, but upcoming drugs are pending for conditions such as psoriasis, type-2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

The thousands of research studies and the launching of pharmaceutical fish oil has linked omega-3s with heart health, and it's the most recognizable benefit in consumers' minds, said Wael Massrieh, Ph.D., vice president, scientific affairs, Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.

Up until this point, it's also been the most interesting area of research to Baldur Hjaltason, Sales Director, Epax AS. But, he said, "The area that is growing at the greatest pace is cognitive health. It is becoming clearer how omega-3 fatty acids work against depression, not to mention aging, as recent science on telomeres demonstrates."

Steve Dillingham, general manager, GC RIEBER OILS Inc., also noted brain health and other conditions aided by EPA will be the most interesting research in the near future. "I don't have the numbers, but I can say anecdotally that we are seeing a swinging of the pendulum toward more interest in the DHA-related health applications, based on our customers, as more science becomes available supporting a wider range of health benefits of omega-3 other than the traditional (EPA-rich) heart health applications fish oil has become well known for."

Beyond the brain, Joseph Moritz, Ph.D., regional product manager, BASF Nutrition & Health, said the multiple beneficial health effects of omega 3s has created consumer interest in general wellness versus one specific health condition. "The media are helping to build consumer awareness with its widespread coverage of research on all aspects including heart health, cognitive function, immunity and eye health."

With the thousands of studies on omega-3 health benefits already on the books, Schutt said plenty of research is still ongoing in a variety of categories including heart, brain, infant, maternal, joint and eye health.

Ernesto Hernandez, Ph.D., director of process development, Omega Protein Corp., added inflammation and chemoprevention to the list of current omega-3 research endeavors, but he warned, "More research will be needed to determine the effective dosages required for these benefits to take place."

A poll of readers INSIDER's found supplement brand owners are concerned with "scientific substantiation;" it was ranked the highest factor for respondents when selecting a specific marine-sourced omega-3 ingredient and/or supplier, with 60 percent (n=133) rating it "very important" and 15 percent (n=33) placing it at above-average importance.

Omega-3s from fish or plant sources are becoming more popular even as doctors are writing prescriptions to similar drugs. The supplement business is surviving by offering sustainable, easy-to-take products with health claims that go beyond the heart.

Prescription omega-3s are helping the supplement industry boost its credibility and popularity.

While heart health is the benefit most liked to omega-3s, more research is mounting to their ability to boost the brain and beyond.

Omega-3 ingredients must be sustainable and fresh when they reach the consumer, or product interest will suffer.

Learn more on how industry views omega-3 product development in the SupplySide Omega-3 Insights " State of Marine-Sourced Omega-3s " by Karen Butler.

Once a supplement company has its finished omega-3 product, it faces health claim regulatory challenges. Get a run down on what can and can't be said in the European Union and the United States in the SupplySide Omega-3 Report, " Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids: EU and U.S. Regulatory Update " by Harry B. Rice.

About the Author

Sandy Almendarez

VP of Content, Informa

Summary

• Well-known subject matter expert within the health & nutrition industry with more than 15 years’ experience reporting on natural products.

• She cares a lot about how healthy products are made, where their ingredients are sourced and how they affect human health.

• She knows that it’s the people behind the businesses — their motivations, feelings and emotions — drive industry growth, so that’s where she looks for content opportunities.

Sandy Almendarez is VP of Content for SupplySide and an award-winning journalist. She oversees the editorial and content marketing teams for the B2B media brands SupplySide Supplement Journal and SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, the education programming for the health and nutrition trade shows SupplySide Connect New Jersey and SupplySide West, the education program SupplySide Fresh for industry newcomers and community engagement across the SupplySide portfolio. She is a seasoned content strategist with a passion for health, good nutrition, sustainability and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a content-focused business leader. With specialization in topics ranging from product development to content engagement, creative marketing and c-suite decision making, her work is known for its engaging style and its relevance for business leaders in the health and nutrition industry.

In her free time, Sandy loves running, drinking hot tea and watching her two kids grow up. She brews her own “Sandbucha” homemade kombucha; she’s happy to share if you’re ever in Phoenix!

Awards:

Speaker credentials

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University

Contact:

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