Andrew Hebard, president and CEO of TCI, the holding company for Nature's Crops, spoke candidly at Vitafoods Europe about the challenges of sustaining the long-term global supply and scanned the scientific state-of-play.
The long-chain forms - EPA, along with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – have shown to be the most health enhancing omega-3s and are perhaps the most well-known to consumers, especially for heart and brain health.
Plant sources like flax are richer in alpha linoleic acid (ALA) which convert in the body to EPA and DHA but at lower rates.
Land-based omega-3 production
Ahiflower has demonstrated solid omega-3 bioavailability due to its stearidonic acid (SDA) content which humans readily convert to (EPA).
“Ahiflower converts to EPA 300-400% more efficiently than flaxseed oil,” said Hebard. "Since Ahiflower also contains the omega-6 GLA, it combines fish oil benefits with evening primrose oil in one product.”