Algae omega-3 EPA/DHA 500 mg
The same EPA and the same DHA as fish oil — but made by the algae, at source.
The short version
What it does The same molecules as fish oil, made by the algae — and with no mercury or PCBs.
What it does not do Like fish oil: nothing to feel, and pointless if you already eat oily fish.
What the studies say
Same molecules, same absorption data: microalgae oils raise the blood omega-3 index comparably to fish oils. Oily fish do not actually make omega-3s — they accumulate them by eating these microalgae.
The clinical event trials, such as REDUCE-IT, were done with fish oils. We reason here by molecular identity, which is solid but remains an extrapolation.
It is the only real option on a vegan diet, and there is no compromise on the molecule.
How to take it
Relevant on a vegan or vegetarian diet, or with a fish allergy. Also relevant if the smell of fish capsules makes you give up.
500 to 1,000 mg of EPA + DHA a day, with a fatty meal. Identical to fish oil for everything else.
Nothing to feel. The blood omega-3 index is the only possible check.
What is inside
Oil from microalgae grown in fermenters, most often Schizochytrium. Closed production, so no contamination by marine pollutants — no mercury, no PCBs, no dioxins.
That is its real advantage over fish oil: traceability is total, cultivation is controlled, and there is no pressure on fish stocks. Check the EPA + DHA dose, often lower per capsule.
Algae oils containing only DHA and no EPA, if you are aiming at heart function. The high price is the cost of the process, not a comfort margin.
Cautions
- Anticoagulants: medical advice above 3 g/day
- Atrial fibrillation: more frequent on high doses in REDUCE-IT (3.1 % vs 2.1 %)
The three options
High EPA + DHA, traceable cultivation
600 mg of DHA and 300 mg of EPA
Stated separately — many algae oils only give the DHA. The Schizochytrium microalga is named, grown in a closed fermenter: no marine contaminant is possible.
For whom — A vegan diet with a requirement on dose.
Standard algae oil
300 mg of DHA, plant capsule
Schizochytrium microalgae oil, 203 reviews. The list also contains carrageenan and a rosemary extract as antioxidant: the price of a plant oil stabilised without gelatin.
For whom — Plant-based diet, everyday use.
Flax + algae, diluted DHA
The first ingredient is FLAX
The algae only comes afterwards. But flax only provides ALA, which the body converts very poorly into DHA. The 1,500 mg advertised mixes the two: cheaper, and less actual DHA.
For whom — Only for someone aiming at brain function alone.
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