The recent launch of the food supplement Echiomega, containing the novel food ingredient Echium oil from the Echium plant, will make it easier for vegetarians to get their daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids, providing the ‘good’ fats we need in our diets.

Ensuring we consume the right amount of long-chain omega fatty acids is crucial for the health of every living cell in our bodies. These ‘good’ fats are especially important for our brains, which are made up of 60% fat1 Delivering superior health benefits compared with the commonly available flaxseed vegetarian omega supplements, Echiomega helps to support cardiovascular and eye health, brain function, concentration, immunity, mood and joint flexibility

For vegetarians, it can be difficult to supply the body with sufficient levels of long-chain fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), given that these are typically found in oily fish. Indeed many vegetarians and vegans tend to have low levels of these crucial nutrients. Most readily available vegetarian omega oils contain the short-chain fatty acid alpha linolenic acid (ALA, such as found in flaxseed), which must first be converted by the body in to long-chain fats before it offers benefits such as regulating inflammation, immunity and cardiovascular health. The new supplement Echiomega, however, contains the omega-3 stearidonic acid (SDA) from Echium plant oil, which is a closer relative to EPA than ALA , with research suggesting that SDA produces up to 5 times more EPA than flaxseed.

Due to changes in the modern diet and lifestyle we are also exposed to several inhibiting factors – including caffeine, alcohol, deficiencies of vitamins and minerals, viruses and stress – which means that these enzyme conversions do not function well in many people. Only about 4% of ALA is converted into the important long-chain fats such as EPA and DHA, making it problematic for vegetarians and vegans to maintain sufficient amounts of the beneficial long-chain omega-3s in their diets.

Echium oil also contains other beneficial fatty acids including the potent anti-inflammatory omega-6 gamma linolenic acid (GLA) as well as the omega-9 oleic acid, known for its cardio-protective properties. Research indicates that SDA in combination with GLA raises red blood cell EPA levels more efficiently than SDA alone, suggesting that Echiomega is therefore the ideal nutritional supplement for those who are vegetarian, vegan or allergic to fish, to help boost the levels of important omega-3s in the diet.