- Food Science
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by k.mammasis
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play an important role in maintaining good health. They’re found in algae oil, fish oil, high phenolic olive oil, flaxseed oil, walnuts, and other plant sources, albeit in different forms. We are proud to have designed the best foods for omega 3 on the market that will take care of the whole of you while respecting and contributing to the planet’s resources and biodiversity.
Best Foods for Omega 3 Fatty Acids
The health benefits associated with the consumption of this wonder substance are countless and have been verified both through research and clinical trials over the last two decades. We have developed a series of articles that explain in detail why you should include foods rich in omega 3 in your diet. You may read about the 5 Foods With The Most Omega-3 Fatty Acids, or How Does Algae Omega-3 Compares to Fish Omega-3. These Functional Foods for Omega 3 is the Answer to a Healthy Brain and Heart, but go much beyond that when it goes to solving various health issues naturally.
At MILESTONE®, we strictly select the best natural formulations and avoid synthetic ingredients. The good news is that you don’t need to buy supplements to get your fill; instead, you can get there by ingesting 10ml of our exclusive formula High Phenolic Olive + Algae Vegan Omega 3 Oil (EPA DHA ALA), which has an ideal omega 6 to omega 3 ratio (1.5:1). If you are looking into ways to enrich your plant-based omega-3 diet, then it would be great to read our article on the top vegan foods for omega-3. But how did we get there? Let’s explore together our roadmap and find out how and why we truly believe that we currently offer one of the best natural foods for omega 3 fatty acids on the market.
We Started with High Phenolic Olive Oil
In 2002 a grant agreement was approved by the European Food and Safety Administration under the name of EUROLIVE, to perform a clinical nutritional trial concerning the effect of a traditional Mediterranean antioxidant-rich food, olive oil, on oxidative stress and damage to lipids and DNA in humans. EUROLIVE also aimed at studying the bioavailability and the binding of olive oil phonemics compounds to low-density lipoproteins. This study focused on whether a reasonable supplemental amount of low phenolic content extra virgin and high phenolic extra virgin olive oil would reduce lipid per oxidation and DNA oxidation in 180 humans from 3 European populations (Northern, Central and Southern), and whether there are differences in effect according to the olive-oil phenol concentration. The results were profound and ground-shaking, leading to the EU Reg 432/2012, which in short states that any olive oil containing more than 250mg/kr of polyphenols contributes to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. According to the findings of the EUROLIVE study, “the lowest daily dose of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives (measured by HPLC) in olive oil which showed a significant effect on in vivo LDL peroxidation was 5mg”1 . Polyphenols have been reported to reduce heart disease risk factors by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing blood clotting, and enhancing arterial lining health.
1st High Phenolic Olive Oil in the World
This highly influential research trial led to a series of publications that transformed the olive oil sector forever by giving birth to a new category of olive oil with pharmaceutical health benefits, i.e. high phenolic olive oil. The second phase of this work was already underway and before the end of 2010, another set of academic research works sparked, shedding light on individual phenolics compounds, improved ways of measuring the phenolic concentration, and many more that ultimately led to the official market launch of high phenolic olive oil as a functional food in the world of nutraceuticals. We are proud that MILESTONE® back in 2013 was possibly the 1st high phenolic olive oil in the world to enter the market with phenolic concentrations that consistently exceeded 1000mg/kg. Since then, it became the subject of study in many research trials, some of which are currently running in some of the most prestigious Medical Schools in the world.
Inspiring Moving Exciting Disrupting
We innovated from the very start, by building small prototypes in order to test each and every mechanical process in the olive oil flow production. Most of our findings have contributed to the scientific community by standardizing the methodology under which pharmaceutical olive oil may be produced. These relate, to temperature, grinding size and techniques, solid to solid separation methods, oxygen concentration, the effect of water addition, and solid to liquid separation methods among other factors that relate to soil, tree DNA and climate conditions. Almost ten years later we continue to innovate and be industry leaders in high phenolic olive oil production and sourcing. And this is the reason that we are numerously awarded as one of the most innovative businesses in Greece.
Then we Added Algae Oil Rich in EPA and DHA
There are many milestones on this trip, some of which are smaller and some others being definitely game changers. One such game changer took place at the beginning of 2022 when after 2 years of research, we launched our new hybrid functional food for omega 3 product as a combination of the power of algae and the wisdom of the olive tree. This product provides you with the most natural full complex of omega-3 fatty acids that exists out there, with an ideal Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio. But it doesn’t end there; our choices contribute to preserving our planet’s resources by avoiding overfishing, avoiding the use of chemicals at all costs and by living consciously.
Fish Oil vs Algae Oil
Most people believe that taking fish oil supplements is the best way to get adequate omega-3s. But is this the case? There is a mountain of scientific research demonstrating that algae-based omega-3 foods are far more effective in absorbing EPA and DHA.
“EPA and DHA in fish come from algae. Smaller fish eat it, and it travels up the food chain from there. So why don’t we choose to go directly to the purest source of omega-3s originating from algae instead of the fish oil derivatives? More people are beginning to understand this.” – Dr. Konstantinos Mammasis – Of Dreams and Knowledge
The two main categories that we analyze in this article originate from algae and fish oil respectively. It is useful to remember that fish oil comes in both natural and processed forms. The form of fatty acids can be affected by processing. This is significant because some types are more readily absorbed than others.
- Algae. Omega-3 fatty acids come in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), while containing chlorophyll, plant pigments, and other minerals.
- Fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in whole fish as free fatty acids, phospholipids, and triglycerides.
Microalgae is a great source of EPA and DHA triglycerides. In fact, the EPA and DHA in fish come from algae. Smaller fish eat it, and it travels up the food chain from there, which is a great reason to drive directly to the source 2. Algae oil, according to studies, is even higher in omega-3s, particularly DHA, than fish oil. It has no off-odour or taste, it is more bioavailable and it is very useful for vegetarians and vegans too 3. Furthermore, algae oil is completely safe for the environment. It is devoid of contaminants such as heavy metals, making it a healthy and sustainable solution. Considering the aforementioned scientific facts, as well as the fact that food is much more efficiently absorbed than supplements, is critical in our decision to take food for omega-3 from algae rather than any other option.
+ Many other Reasons to Go for Algae as the Best Source of Food for Omega 3
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Sustainability
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Overfishing
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Contaminants
We Confidently have the Best Foods for Omega 3
High Phenolic Olive + Algae Omega 3 Oil
Omega-3 content: 250 mg per 10ml (raw)
Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio: 1.5:1
Plant-based sources of omega-3s usually just include ALA. Olive oil is possibly the greatest source of unsaturated fatty acids including a unique omega complex, i.e. ALA, Omega 6, and Omega 9. In addition, high-phenolic olive oil contains a unique set of bioactive compounds not found elsewhere in nature, e.g. tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, and many more. On the other hand, algae oil is possibly the only exception to this rule, containing high amounts of EPA + DHA. In a recent study carried out by researchers at the University of Madrid, it was shown that treatment with a combination of olive oil and algae oil improved the lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, and vascular function in elderly rats while lowering aging-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver and cardiovascular system 4. We researched and developed a product that combines the unique attributes of our world-class medical olive oil with the ones offered by algae, in order to produce a synergistic combination of these great plant sources that offer unique health benefits to anyone in the look for substituting typical omega-3 supplements with functional food for omega-3s.
It is the most natural and highly concentrated omega-3 functional food that we are aware of. And yes, it is among our top products because it has unparalleled qualities. It has no trace of chemical compounds or any form of toxification factors. Our formula supplies you with 250mg of the best food for omega-3 from algae (10ml / day), together with a set of bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties, e.g. oleacin, oleocanthal, oleuropein, elenolide. The concentration of olive oil polyphenols is among the highest in the world and always exceeds 500mg/kg. The olive oil polyphenols contained in our product will contribute to the reduction of your oxidative stress markers.
Summary
Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary nutrients that can be better absorbed when received from foods than supplements. At MILESTONE we research and develop the best functional foods for omega 3 in the market, and we are proud of this. Food for omega-3 from algae and olive contains it all, DHA, EPA, and ALA. Algae oil provides an adequate amount of DHA and EPA and is sustainable and environmentally friendly as opposed to fish oil. Functional foods for omega 3 fatty acids may safeguard heart health, boost cognitive performance, and reduce the risk of developing various chronic diseases.
A Word From MILESTONE®
MILESTONE® Food for your Genes uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Covas MI, Nyyssönen K, Poulsen HE, Kaikkonen J, Zunft HJ, Kiesewetter H, Gaddi A, de la Torre R, Mursu J, Bäumler H, Nascetti S, Salonen JT, Fitó M, Virtanen J, Marrugat J; EUROLIVE Study Group. The effect of polyphenols in olive oil on heart disease risk factors: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2006 Sep 5;145(5):333-41. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-145-5-200609050-00006. PMID: 16954359.[↩]
- Arterburn LM, Oken HA, Bailey Hall E, Hamersley J, Kuratko CN, Hoffman JP. Algal-oil capsules and cooked salmon: nutritionally equivalent sources of docosahexaenoic acid. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008 Jul;108(7):1204-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2008.04.020. PMID: 18589030.[↩]
- Davis BC, Kris-Etherton PM. Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians: current knowledge and practical implications. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Sep;78(3 Suppl):640S-646S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/78.3.640S. PMID: 12936959.[↩]
- González-Hedström D, Amor S, de la Fuente-Fernández M, et al. A Mixture of Algae and Extra Virgin Olive Oils Attenuates the Cardiometabolic Alterations Associated with Aging in Male Wistar Rats. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(6):483. Published 2020 Jun 3. doi:10.3390/antiox9060483[↩]