Being a vegan, I was looking for a plant-based source of Omega-3 supplements. After completing my research, I found a better alternative to fish oil called algal oil.
It’s quite the catch, and gaining popularity for the right reasons.
What Is Algae Oil?
Algae oil is a rich source of omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids. As the name suggests, it is derived from various species of microalgae, a microscopic plant that forms the basis of the aquatic food chain.
Microalgae is a potent source of DHA and EPA, the most beneficial type of omega-3 fatty acids.
Like fish oil, algae oil also plays an important role for the human body; it acts as an active energy booster, ensuring optimal health and proper growth for individuals of all ages.
What Is Fish Oil
Fish oil comes from the tissues of fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines.
Extracting fish oil is not an easy task. It involves a combination of processes, such as pressing and centrifugation. Each stage leads to the refinement and safe extraction of fatty acids from fish tissues.
Salmon Fish vs Algae Oil: What’s The Difference?
Both algae oil and fish oil are sources of omega-3 fatty acids. When choosing the right omega-3 supplement, consider the following factors:
Source
Algae oil is an omega-3 supplement rich in various organic acids. Marine life is devoid of omega-3 in its bodies; it obtains omega-3 from marine algae or organisms that consume algae.
N.B. Obtain EPA and DHA from the source. It is a healthy and safe proposition for users.
Sustainability
Manufacturers need to manage the process efficiently to ensure consistent production of fish oil supplements. Problems like overfishing, ocean pollution, and lack of transparency in the supply chain require due attention and vigilance.
Compared to fish oil, algae oil is also a safe-to-use and environmentally-conscious source of fatty acids. Algae is grown in tanks and ponds. Fish that consume algae ensure a lower carbon footprint than those that devour other foods.
Purity
All fish come in contact with polluted water, microplastics, heavy metals, and other contaminants, which can lead to toxins in their bodies. These issues are also found in fish oil.
Conversely, algal oil is free from impurities, making it a cleaner source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Easily Digestible
Taking fish oil supplements is safe but not attractive. It can cause bad breath and an eerie aftertaste. In addition, it carries risks of environmental degradation and pollution.
Algae oil, on the other hand, offers a minimal burp-back and low icky oceanic taste than its counterpart. Compared to traditional fish oil, it is a cleaner source of omega-3.
Health Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements
Let me share some striking benefits of omega-3 supplements:
Heart Health: Omega 3 can lower triglycerides, help reduce blood pressure, and lower the risk of heart disease.
Brain Health: Omega-3s support cognitive function and memory. They are also critical building blocks of the brain and eyes in babies.
Eye Health: Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an important source for maintaining the structural and functional aspect of the retina.
What Are Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are important nutrients that benefit every cell and organ system in the body. As our bodies cannot produce essential fatty acids, we need to source them through dietary supplements like fish oil and algae oil.
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are produced by wet pressing, super-critical fluid extraction and other processes. These acids are present in microalgae in freshwater, oceans, and lakes.
The oil is found in tissues of certain fish like Mackerel, Salmon, Trout, Sardine, and other oily fish.
Can Algae Oil Replace Fish Oil?
Depending on nutritional needs, algae oil may be a suitable plant-based alternative to fish oil for those allergic to fish or like to eat vegetables.
Fish oil supplements are the better choice for those who enjoy seafood because they contain more omega-3s.
Why is Sustainable Fish Farming Necessary?
Fish eaters, anglers, and experts have witnessed a decrease in different types of fish, namely salmon and trout because of overfishing and toxic water pollutants.
These practices are creating an undue pressure on the agricultural sector as well as omega-3 fish supplement producers to ensure food and nutrition for the growing population.
Sustainable Omega-3 Fatty Acid Production
The promising approach towards sustainable omega-3 fatty acid production includes the following aspects:
Microalgae Cultivation
Microalgae is the main source of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are found in good quality fish such as salmon and mackerel.
To ensure consistent production of microalgae, the plant is grown in controlled environments using optimal water quantity, controlled pH and temperature, optimized carbon and nitrogen concentrations, etc.
Other conditions for the algae include the use of photobioreactors and strain selection.
Optimized Growth Conditions
Keeping the environment safe for sustainably sourced fish is also a viable solution. Recycling wastewater, reducing water pollution, and other critical processes can be controlled by regulatory authorities.
Sourced fish can also be farmed in safe conditions: Managing stock levels, maintaining feed ratios, and adding labels are some primary activities.
Improve Fishing Methods
The bycatch method is not suitable to catch fish like trout and mackerel. Copious amount of dead or unwanted fish are left behind in the nets, leaving fishermen with no other option than to discard them in the ocean.
Advanced methods of catching fish include fish excluder devices, underwater video cameras, and sonar.
What is Krill Oil?
Extracted from a shrimp-like marine animal, krill oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. These components help in reducing swelling and blood clotting in humans.
The appearance of fish oil and krill oil is different: Refined fish oil is yellow in color and pure krill oil is reddish.
Extracting the oil from krill fish is not easy. This oil is derived from various methods like chemical solvents and enzymatic extraction. The efficiency of both processes are high.
Which Fish is Higher in Omega-3 Fatty Acids?
As seawater and sourced fish get their nutrients from microalgae and other fish species, some are richer in omega-3 fatty acids than others. Tuna, Herring, Swordfish, and Mackerel are some examples.
Plenty of fish species produce beneficial substitutes to fish oil, such as krill or algal oil. The quantity of EPA and DHA is higher than those in fish containing seafood oil.
Verdict: Algae Oil vs Fish Oil | Which One is More Beneficial?
Comparing fish oil vs algae oil is a complex endeavor. You need to understand various factors before reaching a valid conclusion.
Algae and fish oil provide numerous health benefits and ensure appropriate levels of omega-3 fatty acids. I suggest the one that suits your budget and keeps you active!
