What is algae oil and is it better than fish oil?

Why algae oil?

The microalgae that are cultivated to extract algae oil are rich in two types of omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These fatty acids are good and important for your heart.

Unfortunately, it's not so easy to get EPA and DHA through food. It's mainly found in shellfish and fatty fish like mackerel and salmon. Omega-3 fats can actually be obtained from plant-based foods, but the body converts it so inefficiently into DHA and EPA that you can't benefit from the advantages of omega-3.

The Health Council advises adults to get 200mg of the fatty acids EPA and DHA per day. Translated into food, this is one serving of fatty fish per week. If you don't eat fish, you can still get it through plant-based supplements.

Algae oil versus fish oil

Algae oil is seen as a plant-based alternative to fish oil. The same amount of omega 3 can be extracted from cultivated algae as from fish oil. But in addition to animal-friendly benefits, there are more reasons to choose algae oil over fish oil.

1. Fish obtain omega 3 from algae. By extracting algae oil directly from the algae, we go straight to the source. This way, we get the most pure and uncontaminated form (5).
2. Fish oil is often contaminated with toxic substances in the sea. Because the algae for algae oil are cultivated in special tanks, the conditions are optimal and guaranteed free of ocean pollution.
3. Commercial fishing is one of the biggest threats to the environment. Algae oil is 100% fish-free.
4. Another advantage of algae oil is that you won't experience a "fishy taste" or "fish burps" after swallowing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it true that fish get their fats from algae?

Yes, that's correct. Most fish primarily eat (micro)algae. It is their main source of food. And because algae are packed with omega 3 fatty acids, fish are also rich in this healthy substance. Fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel are not called "fatty fish" for nothing.

2. What should I look for when buying algae oil?

The Health Council recommends that adults consume 200mg of EPA and DHA fatty acids daily (2). So when you buy algae oil, it's important that it contains at least 200mg of fatty acids and both EPA and DHA. In addition, we recommend choosing a product with a short list of ingredients and no added flavors. After all, it's about the fatty acids and not everything around it!

3. If I take your algae oil, do I still need to eat fish?

That's right! To get the recommended 200mg of fatty acids per day from the Health Council, you need to eat fatty fish once a week. 100 grams of fatty fish contains seven times the recommended daily amount. But if you don't like fish or prefer a plant-based diet, you can replace it with a supplement. Like Orangefit's algae oil: just as healthy and 100% fish-friendly!

4. Why is fish oil dosed so much higher?

Some people think "more is better". And fish oil producers cleverly respond to this by offering massively high doses. But science shows that a higher dose does not provide any extra health benefits. We only need 200mg per day to stay healthy and no more. When you use blood thinners and consume more than 1 gram per day, it can even be dangerous. It is possible that your blood will clot more slowly.

5. Is your algae oil free from fishing and ocean pollution?

Yep, our algae oil is 100% fish-friendly and free from ocean pollution. The algae we use are actually grown in separate tanks outside the ocean.

6. Is algae oil also safe during pregnancy?

Absolutely. It is even recommended to pay extra attention to the intake of omega-3 fatty acids during your pregnancy (10). But also after birth, so that you can pass it on to your baby through breastfeeding. Because during this period you need to be careful about which fish you can and cannot eat, algae oil from Orangefit is an excellent solution for this.

Omega-3 capsules

In this article, we have told you what algae oil is, what the benefits are and why algae oil is a better way to get omega-3 than through fish oil. Check out our algae oil omega-3 capsules in the webshop too. 100% plant-based and rich in DHA and EPA!