Aker BioMarine Introduces Omega-3 Index Project

10.13.16

Education platform aimed to bring more awareness to the ramifications of omega-3 insufficiency.

At SupplySide West, education was front-and-center, and omega-3 companies were part of the conversation. During the show, Aker BioMarine launched The Omega-3 Index Project, an educational platform aimed to bring more awareness to the ramifications of omega-3 insufficiency. The goal of the Omega-3 Index Project is to show consumers and health practitioners alike the importance of regularly measuring omega-3 levels using the Omega-3 Index Test, a nutritional tool used to assess cardiovascular and overall health. With the Omega-3 Index test, everyone now has the ability to identify, correct and maintain healthy levels of omega-3 EPA/DHA while reducing the risk of chronic disease.

Aker BioMarine developed this project in collaboration with Dr. Bill Harris, an internationally recognized omega-3 expert and co-inventor of the Omega-3 Index Test. While onsite, the Aker team met with event attendees and experts to communicate why this project is important and how it will bring value to the industry.

During the two days, over 100 attendees joined the project and got their own omega-3 levels tested at the Aker BioMarine booth. Many also agreed to be part of the Superba Boost 30-Day Challenge by taking Superba Boost, Aker’s new krill oil concentrate. Containing a significantly higher concentration of key actives, including phospholipids, omega-3s EPA/DHA and choline, this new product will help boost the levels of all who are participating.

“Omega-3 deficiency is a major issue and puts people at higher risk of chronic disease such as heart disease, cognitive decline and other issues,” said Matts Johansen, CEO, Aker BioMarine. “Education is imperative and that is why we created a program to help everyone understand how omega-3s affect their health and what they can do to be more proactive to elicit positive change.”

Interestingly enough, many were unaware of the issues associated with low omega-3 index levels and didn’t realize that healthy omega-3 levels should be greater than 8%.

A recent study, published in Progress in Lipid Research, mapped out omega-3 levels of humans across the world and the results showed that low levels of EPA/DHA affected most developed nations globally. With this information, they were able to identify the regions at a higher risk of chronic illness. The study showed that North America, Central and South America, Europe (with the exception of Norway), the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia and China have the lowest omega-3 levels (<4%).

To that end, education is crucial and change is necessary. The tremendous at SupplySide West from attendees further validates the case for this movement and positive change, the company said. The team at Aker BioMarine believes that this is just the beginning.