Vegetarian EFAs Building Momentum

Is it the better taste? The lower cost? The greater variety of uses? Whatever the exact reasons, vegetable fatty acids are seeing increased attention from marketers and consumers. While the awareness on essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as omega-3s and -6s appears to be more about general importance to overall good healthas opposed to on specific mechanism of action on inflammation and other health issuesmanufacturers are stimulating the market with a range of fortified or functional foods with EFA ingredients. This EFA food drive is building despite reports omega-3 supplements are now as popular as multivitamins.

Whether food or supplement, the market is definitely battling confusion about EFA sources. More than three-quarters of primary shoppers are looking for cooking oils with omega-3 content (including flaxseed oil), although only half are concerned with monounsaturated content. Awareness of omega-9s (including olive oil) and omega-6s (various vegetable oils) is a bit lower. Also, within the realm of omega-3s, most consumers now associate omega-3s with fish oil and consumption of cold-water fish, possibly missing the vegetable source of flaxseed or even algaefor omega-3 DHA.

Vegetable EFAs help address concerns over the ethics of consuming animal products, but also speak to the issues of sustainability (overfishing is a big concern) and safety (marine pollution and toxins in fish). Another factor is cost. Some vegetable oils can cost just pennies, compare to the more expensive marine sources. Fish oil has also long faced the challenge of unpleasant taste, especially in supplements (aftertaste issues).  And EFAs from vegetable sources such as flax, canola , chia, salba and hemp can also offer robust profiles of nutrients including enzymes, antioxidants, flavonoids, fiber and vitamins/minerals.

For more information, read Understanding Vegetarian Essential Fatty Acids at NaturalProductsMarketplace.com .