Algal-oil supplements are a viable alternative to fish-oil supplements in terms of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA). (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ryan, Lisa; Symington, Amy M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of functional foods. Volume 19:Part B(2016)
• Page Start: 852
• Page End: 858
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Docosahexaenoic acid -- DHA -- Bioequivalency -- Algal oil -- Fish oil -- Vegans -- Vegetarians; Functional foods -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2014.06.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-4646

Abstract

Highlights: Vegetarians and vegans had significantly lower levels of DHA compared with omnivores. Algal-oil significantly improved DHA levels in vegetarians and vegans. DHA from algal oil was accumulated more than DHA from fish oil. Abstract: In an open-label randomized pilot study 31 healthy adults were recruited to consume 600 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/d sourced from either algal-oil capsules or fish-oil capsules for a period of 2 weeks. The groups were divided into three categories for analysis: omnivore fish-oil (OF) ( n = 10), omnivore algal-oil (OA) ( n = 9), and vegetarian/vegan algal-oil (V) ( n = 12). After the 2-week supplementation period, the % DHA levels increased significantly ( p < 0.05) in all groups. In terms of bioequivalence, when adjusted for weight, the % change in DHA significantly increased ( p < 0.05) in group OA compared with group OF. In addition, when comparing all three groups, there was no significant ( p > 0.05) difference in the final % DHA levels, despite the significantly ( p < 0.05) lower levels of DHA in the V group at baseline. These results indicate that algal-oil supplements are a sufficient and viable source of DHA for both fish and non-fish eaters alike.