Forbes Magazine (Sept. 7) in a cover story on omega-3 fish oil, “One Supplement That Works(1),” highlights the “steady stream of research indicating that people should eat oily fish and maybe consume fish oil pills to protect their hearts.” Drs. Jørn Dyerberg and his colleague, Hans Olaf Bang, are credited with the ground-breaking discovery behind omega-3s based on their research with Greenland’s Inuit or Eskimo population.
The doctors’ discoveries began in the 1970s when they hypothesized that the rarity of coronary heart disease among the Inuit could be due to the omega-3 fatty acids found in their staple diet, based on cold-water oily fish. Dr. Dyerberg went on to demonstrate the unique physiological effects of these fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA. His work opened a whole new field of medical research and, since then, thousands of studies have been published and many are currently in progress.
He believes that the fatty acids EPA and DHA provide significantly more health benefits than plant-based omega-3. According to the Forbes article, “Not all omega-3s are created equal. Flax oil, for instance, is rich in omega-3s but not the EPA and DHA forms. It contains alpha-lineolic acid, which is converted to EPA and DHA in small amounts. The cardiac benefit may not be as big as the Eskimo effect.”
Dr. Dyerberg is sharing his expertise on an exclusive basis with customers of Cognis Nutrition & Health and Marine Nutriceutical Corporation (MNC). In North America, MNC is Cognis’ exclusive partner for fish oil supplements. In 2006, Cognis acquired Napro Pharma to add fish oil to their extensive portfolio of lipid-based nutrients. Since then, the two companies have combined their know-how to produce safe, high quality omega-3 ingredients with superior taste for dietary supplements and functional foods.
Sharrann Simmons, Cognis’ Senior Marketing Manager, noted the significance of the Forbes article given its conservative coverage of dietary supplements. “As an industry educator, Cognis recognizes the element of controversy the business media sometimes associates with dietary supplements, so we must continue to work with them to help communicate the critical benefits of health-enhancing ingredients like omega-3s.”
In the United States, only about 15 percent of adults meet their daily omega-3 requirement and Cognis is working with major food manufacturers on new product concepts to help close this nutritional gap.
“Products made with Omevital™ (ō-may-vee-tall) omega-3 fatty acids make a vital contribution toward meeting the daily needs of EPA and DHA,” said Ms. Simmons. “Over the last few years we have refined our product line so Omevital™ ingredients, including kosher oils and powders, can be easily incorporated in a range of foods without affecting their sensory qualities. The bottom line is that taste trumps health benefits when it comes to food and our technical advancements with Omevital™ mean that there’s no need to forfeit one for the other.”
Product information and samples will be showcased at the SupplySide West trade show and conference on Nov. 11-13 in Las Vegas, at Cognis’ booth 21014 and MNC’s booth 12049.
For more information about Marine Nutriceutical Corp., please visit www.marine-ingredients.com, or call 570-897-0351, or fax 570-897-7732.
For more information about Omevital™ omega-3 fatty acids or to place an order, visit www.cognis.com, call 800.673.3702, e-mail cognis.nhcustserv@cognis.com, or fax 513.482.3576.
About Cognis:
Cognis (www.cognis.com) is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 5,600 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, as well as agriculture and mining. Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2008, Cognis recorded sales of about 3 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (operating result) of 351 million euros.
(1) http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0907/executive-health-vitamins-science-supplements-omega-3.html