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Lipid

Q What is the difference between EPA, DHA and ALA?

A
1. The sources are different

There are two main sources of DHA: marine fish and seaweed.

EPA is mainly derived from marine animals, especially deep-sea fish.

ALA (α-Linolenic acid) is mainly derived from plant foods, such as flaxseed, perilla...

2. EPA and DHA can be absorbed directly by the body.

ALA must be converted to EPA or DHA in the body before it can be absorbed by the body, but the conversion rate is very low, generally less than 10%, and the conversion velocity is slow, it is difficult to meet the needs of our body. So most of the EPA and DHA needed by the body comes from food.

3.The main effect of EPA is to inhibit and prevent inflammation, and has a relieving effect on cardiovascular disease and joint inflammation;

The main effect of DHA is nerve regeneration, which helps to improve cognitive function, memory and concentration.
Q What is the difference between Algal oil DHA and fish oil DHA？

A
1.The sources are different: Fish oil DHA is mainly extracted from deep-sea fish oil. Algae oil DHA is extracted from farmed algae.

As marine pollution becomes more serious, the heavy metals of fish oil DHA inevitably increase, In contrast, algae is currently the purest and safest source of DHA in the world.

2. Different applicability: algae oil DHA is suitable for pregnant women and children, and fish oil DHA is suitable for middle-aged and elderly people.

3. The content is different:

Fish oil DHA contains EPA and DHA, DHA and EPA content increase or decrease at the same time, DHA: EPA = 4:1 or 5:1.

Farmed algae has high levels of DHA and very low levels of EPA
Q Why is there a difference in the color of DHA Algae Oil?

A The different color is due to the different Schizochytrium microalgae.
Q Why do some algal oils have a more obvious fishy smell and some do not?

A Whether it has a relatively obvious fishy smell is related to the peroxide value in the processing process. The higher the peroxide value, the higher the anisidine number, which makes the fishy smell heavier.
Q What is the recommended dose of algae oil DHA？

A
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that the way to increase EPA and DHA levels in the body is either directly from food (marine fish) or through dietary supplementation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers do not consume more than 3g/day of EPA and DHA per day, including dietary supplements that exceed 2g/day. Dietary supplements beyond this dose may increase the tendency to bleed and affect immune function.

Infants and young children DHA supplementation: according to the recommended intake of DHA by the FAO and the WHO, the appropriate daily intake of 10-12 mg per kilogram of body weight for infants aged 1-2 years;

The total daily appropriate intake for babies aged 2-4 years is 100-150 mg;

By the age of 4-6 years, the baby's daily intake is increased to 150-200mg. Adequate and safe DHA intake for your baby, consistent breastfeeding, and infant formula with high levels of DHA are effective and safe methods.
Q Who needs DHA supplementation?

A
DHA plays an important role throughout a person's life, especially these groups: Pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, children, adolescents.

It is recommended that pregnant and lactating women consume at least 200 mg of DHA per day.

It is recommended that infants and young children should consume at least 100 mg of DHA per day.
Q Who can't consume DHA?

A
Preterm infants born at less than 29 weeks and diabetics.

DHA is possibly unsafe when used in preterm infants born at less than 29 weeks. It might worsen breathing in these infants.

Diabetes: DHA seems to increase blood sugar in some people with type 2 diabetes.
Q Are there any side effects of taking DHA algae Oil supplements?

A DHA algae Oil itself does not have any side effects, no effect on people's bodies, but when taking, you still need to pay attention to the correct amount, if you take too much, it will be difficult to digest, especially for infants and young children, it is easy to cause gastrointestinal burden, and because DHA is an unsaturated fatty acid, so excessive use, but also lead to high content of unsaturated fatty acids in the body, which will cause nerve damage.

FAQ Category

Lipid

Q What is the difference between EPA, DHA and ALA?

Q What is the difference between Algal oil DHA and fish oil DHA？

Q Why is there a difference in the color of DHA Algae Oil?

Q Why do some algal oils have a more obvious fishy smell and some do not?

Q What is the recommended dose of algae oil DHA？

Q Who needs DHA supplementation?

Q Who can't consume DHA?

Q Are there any side effects of taking DHA algae Oil supplements?