Wellness Foods - October 2007 - (Page 19)

Nutrition Beyond the Trends Get Smart with Omegas Research is unraveling the key role omega oils play in brain development and function. by Mark Anthony, Ph.D. I n the brain, the most abundant fat is the omega DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). It’s critical to the growth and function of nerves, the transmission of information from one brain cell to another and protection from oxidative stress. Research shows reduced levels of DHA in the brain are associated with impaired cognitive and behavioral performance. Recently, Epax (www.epax.com) Lysaker, Norway, a producer of concentrated, marinebased omega-3, supplied its 1050 TG oil for a clinical trial on Alzheimer’s disease. The study showed that in carriers of a specific gene common to Alzheimer’s, sufferers who received the omega-3 had reduced agitation symptoms. Moreover, those without the gene showed an improvement in symptoms of depression. All essential omegas (omega-3 and omega-6) are derived from plants. Fish get omega oil from seaweed and algae or the creatures that feed off them. Some nuts and seeds contain alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which can be metabolized to both EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, a precursor of DHA) and DHA, though not very efficiently in humans. The major dietary sources of ALA are soy and canola oils, flax seed, and walnuts. Until recently, the best way to get DHA was to eat fish or to take fish oil. That changed with advances in micro-encapsulation. Today, virtually any food or beverage can be a source of DHA. Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd. (www.ocean-nutrition.com), Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, supplies Meg-3 brand omega-3 EPA/DHA to Danone Canada Inc. (www.danone.ca), Boucherville, Québec, for Danino Drinkable yogurt. It’s the third yogurt product Danone has launched containing Meg-3. Pizzey’s Milling (www.meadowpure.com), Angusville, Manitoba, combines flax- and fish-sourced omega in its Meadowpure Ultra 3 (ALA, DHA and EPA.) It’s stable enough to be incorporated into baked goods without imparting discernible taste or odor. The company was just purchased by Glanbia PLC (www.glanbia.com) Kilkenny, Ireland. Dairy products were among the first to benefit from technology that makes it easier to add omega oils. Seeds and Sea Coromega (www.coromega.com), Vista, Calif., provides an omega-oil emulsion with the EPA and DHA protected and stabilized with vitamins C and E. Its formulation process ensures the stability of the fish oil and the potency of the ingredients. VitaDHA is a deodorized, water-soluble form of DHA offered by Blue California (www.bluecal-ingredients.com), Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. The nano-encapsulated oil is derived from fish, comes in powder and liquid form and is suited to all food and beverage applications. Meanwhile, Cognis (www. cognis.com), Cincinnati, has added Omevital omega3 fatty acids to its ingredient family. You can get your omega with a hint of cranberry from Carver, Mass.-based Decas Botanical Synergies’ (www.decasbotanical.com) OmegaCran. It’s derived from cranberry seeds via a cold-press expeller process, without solvents or chemicals. OmegaCran is high in omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids plus tocotrienols (vitamin E). Frutarom Industries Ltd. (www.frutarom.com), Haifa, Israel, brings to the omega-3 movement its unique salvia seed-derived oil, which contains more than 50 percent ALA. Salvia is a member of the sage genus. The oil is odorless, stable and well suited to any functional food applications. Food Processing’s Wellness Foods™ www.wellnessfoodsonline.com October 2007 | 19 http://www.epax.com http://www.coromega.com http://www.bluecal-ingredients.com http://www.bluecal-ingredients.com http://www.cognis.com http://www.cognis.com http://www.ocean-nutrition.com http://www.ocean-nutrition.com http://www.decasbotanical.com http://www.danone.ca http://www.meadowpure.com http://www.frutarom.com http://www.glanbia.com http://www.wellnessfoodsonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Wellness Foods - October 2007

Wellness Foods - October 2007 Diluting the Messages Healthbites New Ingredient Profiles Power Up! Ingredients for Energy and Immunity Beverages for Beauty Potassium Rocks Get Smart with Omegas On the Shelf Marketing to Facts vs. Myths

Wellness Foods - October 2007

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