Is Ahiflower Oil the Sustainable Omega Solution You've Been Searching For?

Did you know that 90 percent of North Americans are deficient in omega-3? We’re often told to look to the sea when it comes to getting our most essential fatty acids, but the planet’s growing sustainability crisis calls for innovative solutions without compromising on our nutritional needs.

The Benefits of Omegas

Essential fatty acids are fundamental to bolstering the immune system, regulating inflammation, hormonal balance, skin health, and even cognitive functioning. Together, omegas 3 and 6 make quite the power couple, but it’s important to have an optimal ratio of each for a healthy balance. Let’s take a closer look.

Omega-3 

Found in abundance in foods like fish and flaxseeds, omega-3s are renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties. According to The American Heart Association, they could be a gamechanger for cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease. If you’ve got a healthy dose of omega-3 in your diet, you may even notice better post-exercise recovery, as that anti-inflammatory action promotes improved muscle repair. Omega-3 can also alleviate symptoms of arthritis and other conditions triggered by inflammation of the joints.

 Ongoing research has also shown a strong link between omega-3 and cognitive health. In a recent study, the presence of omega-3s in red blood cells was associated with better brain structure and cognitive function for participants in their 40s and 50s. Harvard Health has also reported promising findings in the use of omega-3s in the treatment of various mood disorders, including depression and PPD (postpartum depression). These mental health benefits, as well as improved skin health and hormonal balance, can all be linked back, in part, to omega-3’s unparalleled anti-inflammatory action.

Omega-6

Omega-6 can get a bad rap due to its overabundance in western diets, but when consumed in the proper amount, this fatty acid acts as an effective foil to omega-3. Found in vegetable oils like corn, soybean, and sunflower oil, omega-6 can promote inflammation for an effective immune response and wound healing–that’s right, sometimes our body needs a little inflammation to function optimally. 

The Sustainability Dilemma

Anchovies are one of the most popular sources for omega-3s, but data shows that our oceans have paid the price after decades of overfishing. The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED) estimates that 38,000 tonnes of anchovy oil is extracted annually for the dietary supplements market. An alarming portion of catches are considered “juveniles,” who haven’t had a chance yet to mature or reproduce. This trend has led to the decimation of entire populations and the delicate ecosystems they support. 

So, that’s the bad news. The good news is that fish oil isn’t the only omega source out there that meets our supplement needs–it may not even be the best. 

A Powerful Plant-Based Supplement

Enriching cell membranes with that optimal balance of omega-3 and -6 we mentioned earlier is often overlooked to prioritise omega-3s, specifically EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These are what we get primarily from seafood. But given the right ingredients, we can technically produce these acids. What the body can’t replicate is stearidonic acid (SDA), a “precursor” to EPA and DHA. Found exclusively in plants, SDA offers unique, inflammation-resolving molecules in cell membranes that work beautifully with healthy ratios of omega-6.

Ahiflower Oil

If we look to the land for our best crop of sustainable alternatives, Ahiflower® Oil stands out as the most complete and balanced source of omega-3 and -6 available. This refined form of Buglossoides arvensis seed also boasts the highest naturally-occurring levels of SDA in a commercially-available plant oil and is a good source of gamma linoleic acid (GLA), an omega-6 with potential to support symptoms of diabetes, arthritis, and even PMS.

Formulated by an eco-conscious UK company from 100 percent vegan and non-GMO sources, Ahiflower® Oil outshines even flaxseed oil, with four times more EPA conversion–that’s all thanks to plant-powered SDA. With its strong sustainability profile and clean, fresh taste (no gross smell or burps here!), there’s nothing “fishy” about it! 

Making sustainable choices doesn’t have to mean compromising on convenience or your health. With our planet in mind, try a plant-based alternative to taking from our world’s precious waters. You may find there’s more benefits and fewer ethical dilemmas on the journey towards a healthier you.

At AOR, our vision is to transform health through natural, personalized, and therapeutic care. We seek to catalyze change and challenge conventions through continuous innovation. For twenty-eight years, it has been our mission to transform scientific research into evidence-based, natural health products that empower people to lead their best lives.