RAWr! Algae Oil FAQ's

What is algae oil?

  • Algae oil is the polar-lipid portion extracted from two strains of algae. Providing omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from one strain and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from a second strain, both bound to phospholipids and glycolipids, with carotenoids, omega-7, and chlorophyll. 



What is algae oil for?

  • Algae oil is for providing your body omega-3 fatty acids EPA/DHA. There is a vast amount of research on omega-3's showing that they play an essential role in optimizing nearly every organ system in the body. EPA is known for its anti-inflammatory properties throughout the body, while DHA is known for its crucial benefits for all around brain health. One example is our brains; they are made of 60% fats and of those the omega-3 fatty acid DHA makes up well over 90%. We personally find algae oil very helpful with joint health, limiting inflammation from injuries, recovery, stabilizing mood, and focus. Most modern diets typically lack omega-3s that is why it’s wise to supplement them in.



Is algae oil better than fish or krill oil? The fish oil I use has a higher amount of omega-3's than your algae oil lists, why should I use your algae oil?

  • They both provide omega-3 fatty acids DHA/EPA. Although taking the bioavailability, antioxidant protection, source, regulations, true sustainability, and traceability of algae oil as a whole into consideration, versus fish oil and krill oil we believe algae oil is the superior source of omega-3's today.



  • Krill oil is bound to phospholipids. Fish oil is bound to triglycerides. Algae oil is bound to glycolipds and phospholipids. Phospholipids and glycolipids are water-soluble. Triglycerides are not water-soluble. This results in algae oil to be absorbed by the body much more efficiently (up to 5x more absorbable) than fish and (up to 2x more absorbable) krill oil. This is also why algae oil does not give you the same ‘fishy burp-up’ aftertaste that you get from taking fish oil.



  • Algae oil naturally contains carotenoids and chlorophyll. Both naturally protect algae oil from oxidation. Fish oil does not contain this type of protection likely causing fish oil to be oxidized and ineffective by the time it makes it to you.



  • Fish oil often comes from different types of fish, then the oil is mixed together. This makes it hard to know the source of where these fish are coming from, if the fishing practices used to catch these fish are eco-friendly, and if it’s being done in a sustainable way. Our algae is grown on saltwater ponds in the US southwest, powered by the sun and renewable energy.



  • Antarctic krill live in a pristine environment and fall low on the food chain resulting in a little chance of environmental contaminant build-up as opposed to fish. Algae oil has no chance of environmental contaminant build-up.



  • When fish eat krill, 90% of the omega-3s from the krill are used as energy by the fish, leaving only 10% stored in the fish as omega-3s. This means it takes 10 times more fish (by weight) than krill to be caught to get the same amount of omega-3s. Krill get their omega-3's from algae, no krill need to be killed to make algae oil, it goes straight to the source of all omega-3's DHA and EPA.



How long until I notice any benefits from algae oil?

  • This depends on how deficient your body is in omega-3s. When taking algae oil everyday benefits can be noticed as quickly as 2 weeks or as long as 3 months. Noticeable increase in omega-3s in red blood cells appears after at least 3 months of use.



Why did you make an omega-3 from an algae source when you can get omega-3s from plants like hemp, flax, and chia?

  • We wanted to get what was more important to you first, and that’s omega-3s DHA and EPA. The vast majority of benefits from omega-3s in our body come from DHA and EPA. Hemp, flax, and chia omega-3s are in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Our bodies can convert ALA into DHA, but as you can see from the chart below out of those 10 published studies the average conversion rate of ALA into DHA was 1.38%, which isn’t very promising. ALA is for energy DHA is for function and optimizing, aim to get your ALA in the morning for fuel and your DHA at night for storing and repair. We will come out with a plant sourced omega-3 soon enough.

    ala to dha conversion chart

     

    Fish oil upsets my stomach, would algae oil work for me?

    • Algae oil is bound to glycolipids and phospholipids. Fish oil is bound to triglycerides. Phospholipids are water-soluble. Triglycerides are not water-soluble. This results in algae oil to be absorbed by the body much more efficiently (up to 5x more absorbable) than fish and (up to 2x more absorbable) krill oil. Fish oil settles on the top of fluids in the stomach which may be causing your stomach issues, whereas algae oil starts to absorb immediately. This is also why algae oil does not give you the same ‘fishy burp-up’ aftertaste that you get from fish oil.



    How often can I take algae oil?

    • You can take algae oil daily. 500 mg up to 3 g can be taken daily. Algae oil is best taken at night so your body has more time to store the omega-3's instead of using them as fuel throughout the day. Always consult your health care professional before using algae oil. Follow the ‘suggested use’ directions on the label before consuming.

     

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