Algae are poised to make a big impact in a $3 billion health market–Omega-3 oils. Demand for Omega-3 oils–which are usually sourced from dwindling ocean-based fisheries–is skyrocketing, and the industry is scrambling for new and sustainable ways to make a product that can help improve human health worldwide.
Algae may quickly fill the gap in supply. Qualitas Health, a company that has been scaling up its own research breakthroughs to commercial scale, announced last month the launch of the first consumer products based upon Almega PL, the company’s premium algal omega-3 oil.
Earlier this year Qualitas Health and Valicor Renewables announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the launch of high-EPA Omega-3 oil from algae, and it’s great to see such rapid progress.
Qualitas’ Almega PL offers vegetarian, EPA-rich, polar lipid-structured omega-3 oils that are easy to digest and readily incorporate into tissues where they can have the maximum impact on health. The oil is derived from non-GMO algae that are cultivated using natural sunlight, brackish water, non-arable land and low-energy processes. The process is sustainable, and does not impact marine ecosystems that are increasingly exploited to the point of permanent damage.
The availability of algae-derived Omega-3 oils is a significant milestone for algae technology development. A few years ago these products were just an idea based on what we knew of algae’s potential. With some smart research, productive partnerships and a valuable product, Qualitas Health is moving the entire algae industry forward.
Qualitas’ press release has more information about the recent announcement, and a video produced by Omega-3 Insights gives a first-hand look at how the company grows algae for processing into this important health supplement.
A number of scientific and regulatory organizations recommend people get about 250-500mg of Omega-3s per day, so if you are going to supplement be sure to use an algae-derived product!