Since launching our bio-fermented ingestible oil blend, OMEGA ELIXIR™, we’ve had lots of questions from our wonderful community about how it compares to standard fish oil capsules. In short, OMEGA ELIXIR™ is vegan and contains evening primrose oil for skin health, DHA from bio-fermented algae for nervous system and eye health and a matrix of good fats from omegas-3, 6, 7 and 9. Fish oil, on the other hand, isn’t plant-based and contains only omega-3.
What are essential fatty acids?
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) play a major role in supporting the health of our skin and overall wellbeing. Research has shown that dry, irritated and inflamed skin conditions can benefit from ingesting EFAs. Along with nourishing dry skin from within, long-chain polyunsaturated Omega-3s have been shown to improve the integrity of the skin barrier.
Studies have also shown that Omega-3s correlated with better gut health and microbial diversity in middle-aged and elderly women.
Can I get omega 3s without eating fish?
Finding a good source of these skin-loving, health-enhancing fatty acids can be difficult if you are following a vegan diet or, like many of us, are concerned about sustainability, overfishing and pollution in our oceans.
In order to get enough Omega-3 EFAs for our health, it’s recommended adults eat two to three serves (150 grams) of oily fish a week. Supplements made from fish oils are another common source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
The good news is it’s also possible to get the benefits of Omega 3s and other essential fatty acids from a plant-based alternative.
The Beauty Chef’s OMEGA ELIXIR is a vegan ingestible oil that supports skin, gut and overall health from within. Knowing the ingredients have all been sustainably sourced, also delivers peace of mind.
What are the health benefits of omegas-6, 7 and 9?
Formulated from nutrient-dense, gut-friendly wholefood ingredients like bio-fermented algae, black cumin seed, sea buckthorn fruit and evening primrose oil, OMEGA ELIXIR combines the benefits of Omega-3s with a healthy ratio of omega-6, 7 and 9 fatty acids. Plus when combined, the oils become more bioavailable, or absorbable for the body.
Omega 3 and 6 are both essential because your body can’t make them.
There are three main types of Omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Fish oil contains EPA and DHA which is made from the algae that fish eat. Studies have shown that EPA benefits skin health while DHA has benefits heart, brain, eye and nervous system health.
OMEGA ELIXIR contains a DHA which is extracted from farmed algal oil. The algae is sustainably-grown, then fermented to make it more bioavailable. It also contains plant-based Omega-3 ALA (from linseed/flaxseed and chia seed oils) which converts to EPA in the body.
In addition, OMEGA ELIXIR includes an Omega-6 called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) from evening primrose oil. The high levels of GLA in OMEGA ELIXIR required it to be registered with Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration as a listed medicine and garner claims like relieving skin dryness, inflammation and irritation, as well as supporting general health and wellbeing.
Omega-6s have many health benefits, but when we consume too much of them they become inflammatory. So it’s vital they are consumed in healthy ratios, as found in OMEGA ELIXIR.
Ideally, our dietary ratio of Omega 6 to Omega-3 fatty acids should be 4:1. However, modern Western diets have a higher intake of Omega-6s that often ranges from 10:1 to 30:1 due to the high consumption of safflower, corn, sunflower oils, canola and palm oil in processed and packaged foods. In short, most people need to eat less Omega-6s and more Omega-3s.
Omega 7s (palmitoleic acids) are not essential and found naturally in human skin but their levels decline as we age, so OMEGA ELIXIR includes 7s from sea buckthorn berry oil. The Omega 9’s included in OMEGA ELIXIR using black cumin oil and chia seed oil are anti-inflammatory.
What’s the advantage of ingesting oil rather than a capsule?
Including the oil-soluble antioxidant astaxanthin from algae in an oil-blend such as OMEGA ELIXIR makes it even more bioavailable. There are also other potent antioxidants in the blend including black cumin oil, rosemary and vitamin E. And unlike many fish oils, it has a fresh flavour thanks to the inclusion of yuzu, rosemary and vanilla.
Eating a piece of fish or taking a spoonful of EFA-rich plant-derived oil is more efficacious than taking an oil capsule because putting an oil in your mouth stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, triggering the release of bile salts and stomach acids to absorb the oil more readily.
With this in mind, you could try taking OMEGA ELIXIR directly from a spoon, mix it into a salad dressing or mayonnaise, or drizzle over avocado on gluten-free bread. Consuming oils with antioxidant-rich, heavily pigmented foods such as tomatoes, carrots, spinach and so on makes the antioxidants more bioavailable, delivering even greater benefits.
Food is indeed medicine. But the right ratios, combinations and dosages can amplify the benefits even further.
