Algae oil vs. fish oil
Have you decided to include more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet? Great job! But then you see two options: algae oil and fish oil. Which one should you choose? Both contain valuable omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, but there are differences. In this blog, we will tell you all about it.
Where does omega-3 come from naturally?
Omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA are not produced by fish themselves, but enter fish through the natural food chain. This chain proceeds as follows:
1. Plant-based phytoplankton (microalgae) produce the first small amounts of omega 3.
2. Animal zooplankton eats these microalgae and therefore contains slightly more EPA and DHA.
3. Small fish eat the plankton and thus build up higher concentrations of omega 3.
4. Larger fish species such as cod, herring, and sardines ultimately store most omega-3 in their fatty tissue.
Good to know:The algae you see in the ocean contain very little EPA or DHA. It is the fish higher up in the food chain that gradually build up these fatty acids in their tissues. That is why fish oil is naturally rich in a good profile of omega fatty acids, including omega-3.
So how does algae oil become a source of omega-3?
Years ago, scientists began selectively breeding and improving microalgae. From this, one special species emerged: Schizochytrium . This algae can produce large amounts of DHA and sometimes also EPA. Therefore, virtually all algae oil worldwide is made from this species.
The algae are therefore not harvested from the sea, but cultivated under controlled conditions in stainless steel fermenters. This closed system ensures that the algae are free from contaminants.
Why do people choose algae oil?
- 100% plant-based and suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- No environmental impact
- Neutral taste (just like Arctic Blue fish oil)
- Our algae oil even has the highest concentration of EPA and DHA you can find.
- A disadvantage is that most algae oil products (in general) contain little to no EPA.
Algae oil is therefore a completely plant-based source of high-quality omega-3 fatty acids DHA (and usually EPA).
How does fish oil become a source of omega-3?
In nature, the synthesis of omega-3 does not take place in a fermentation culture system, but via a longer food chain:
phytoplankton → zooplankton → small fish → larger fish
At every step, the fatty acids become further concentrated and their number increases. Therefore, a natural (non-concentrated) fish oil naturally contains a full-spectrum omega-3 profile: not only EPA and DHA, but also omega-7, omega-9, omega-11, and a diverse collection of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, exactly as they occur in nature. In total, as many as 40 different fatty acids, the potential beneficial effects of which we do not even know yet.
This difference becomes clearly visible in Figure 1. Whereas algae oil consists primarily of omega-3 fatty acids and saturated fatty acids, and concentrated fish oil focuses mainly on a high concentration of EPA and DHA, natural, non-concentrated (Full Spectrum) fish oil retains the broad fatty acid profile as naturally present in fish.
Figure 1: Comparison of fatty acid profiles: full spectrum fish oil , concentrated fish oil & algae oil .
Why choose Arctic Blue fish oil?
- Broad natural fatty acid profile – Our full-spectrum fish oil delivers a complete and natural fatty acid profile, with omega-3 fatty acids in their original balance as they naturally occur in fish.
- Clean oil sourced only from Arctic seas , also suitable for children and pregnant women
- Fresh quality, fishy taste with the 100% no-burping guarantee.
- Made from fillet trimmings : no fish needs to be caught specially for it.
- Always MSC certified .
With the MSC label, you have the guarantee that it is made from wild fish and that fish stocks and Arctic seas remain healthy. As you can see in Figure 2 below:
Figure 2: Read more about the sustainability of Arctic Blue fish oil here.
Conclusion, what suits you: algae oil or fish oil?
As you can see in the image above, there is a big difference between standard fish oil and MSC-certified fish oil.
Arctic Blue Fish oil and algae oil are both high-quality sources of omega-3. Both provide omega-3 DHA and EPA fatty acids. The difference lies mainly in the fatty acid profile and the source (plant-based or fish). Both are sustainably produced, fresh (low oxidation), and of the highest quality. Try the product selector on our website to see which product suits you best.
