Vegan DHA/EPA 450 mg by Vitals is a dietary supplement based on algae oil containing the important omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), with a focus on a higher amount of DHA compared to EPA. For certain groups (such as pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and adults over 50), DHA is indeed more important than EPA. Algae oil is an excellent alternative for people who want to supplement their diet with extra DHA and EPA but prefer not to take fish oil (such as vegetarians and vegans, or people with a fish allergy). What is special about the algae oil in Vegan DHA/EPA 450 mg is that it contains not only DHA but also EPA. Moreover, the dosages of DHA and EPA for a vegan omega-3 supplement in softgels are exceptionally high. The omega-3 fatty acids in this product are in the natural, unprocessed triglyceride form and are well absorbable. And of course, only very fresh and pure algae oil is used for Vegan DHA/EPA 450 mg.

DHA and EPA from plant-based sources for the brain, eyes, and heart
Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA together have a beneficial effect on the heart. And DHA also contributes to the maintenance of normal vision and healthy brain function. It is no coincidence that eating particularly fatty fish species, which are naturally rich in DHA and EPA, is always part of official recommendations for healthy eating. In 2010, the EFSA formulated an additional recommendation for pregnant women and breastfeeding women to ensure a higher daily intake of DHA and EPA (450 mg DHA plus EPA, of which at least 200 mg DHA). After all, DHA also contributes to the normal development of the eyes and brain in the foetus and the breastfeeding infant.

In practice, a significant number of people (including pregnant women, vegetarians, and vegans) do not eat enough or no (fatty) fish at all to meet the recommended daily dosages of DHA and EPA. There are various reasons why people do not meet the recommendations, but this is a problem because fish is still our main source of DHA and EPA. Moreover, those same official recommendations indicate that it is better for everyone not to eat fish too often. This is due to the harmful substances that can occur in it due to environmental pollution (especially dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals such as methylmercury). This is not an issue with high-quality fish oil supplements that are purified and therefore contain little or no contaminants. And algae for use in an algae oil supplement are cultivated under protected and strictly controlled conditions, so the problem of contamination from the environment does not occur. Therefore, more and more people are choosing to supplement their diet daily with a fish oil or algae oil supplement to optimally benefit from the health advantages of these important polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids.

For people who eat vegetarian or vegan, the intake of DHA and EPA is under even more pressure. This group does not eat fish at all, which, as mentioned, is still the main dietary source of DHA and EPA. Vegetarians or vegans often use a plant-based oil as a supplement to their diet. Such as flaxseed oil, which is rich in the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Supplementing the diet with ALA is certainly a good idea to maintain the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. In Western countries, we consume too much omega-6 in proportion; this is even more true for vegetarians and vegans. However, it is a misconception to think that ALA can also fully replace the intake of DHA and EPA. The body can, in principle, produce these omega-3 fatty acids itself from ALA, but in practice, this conversion is very difficult. For vegetarians and vegans, an algae oil supplement with DHA and EPA can therefore be a good choice. But also for people with a fish allergy or people who, for other reasons, prefer not to use fish oil. Algae oil is a sustainable source of DHA and EPA, but for the time being, the relatively high price makes higher dosages of DHA (and certainly also EPA) difficult to achieve.

Permitted health claims:

• - DHA is good for maintaining healthy brain function and good vision, with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA
• - DHA is an important building block for the brain, with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA
• - DHA plays a role in the functioning of the retina, with a daily intake of 250 mg DHA
• - DHA contributes to the normal development of the eyes and brain in the foetus and the breastfeeding infant, with a daily intake of 200 mg by the mother, in addition to the recommended daily amount of 250 mg EPA and DHA
• - EPA and DHA are good for the normal functioning of the heart, with a daily intake of 250 mg EPA and DHA