Vegan omega 3: DSM unveils high potency DHA for maternal and infant nutrition

12 May 2020 --- Nutrition heavyweight Royal DSM has unveiled a novel plant-based and high-quality docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oil coined life’sDHA SF55-O200DS for maternal and early life nutrition solutions. The algae-derived ingredient contains a minimum of 550 mg/g of natural triglyceride DHA, which offers a higher potency than some other sources, according to DSM. This allows manufacturers to achieve equivalent doses of DHA in smaller product formats and meet the latest maternal nutrition trend for convenient capsule and tablet sizes, the company notes. The product is approved for sale in the US, EU and China, while other regulatory approvals are in process.

“Convenience, quality and safety are key drivers of consumer purchasing in the maternal and early life nutrition markets, with mothers and expectant moms looking for easy-to-swallow dietary supplements and safe infant nutrition products made with trusted, science-backed ingredients,” says Brent MacDonald, Director Global Marketing & Business Development, Nutritional Lipids at DSM.

“This product is almost twice as potent as typical fish oils, which only include 270 mg/g of EPA and DHA, in comparison to life’sDHA’s SF55-O200DS content of over 550 mg/g of DHA,” he tells NutritionInsight.

“We carefully formulated life’sDHA SF55-O200DS to help manufacturers develop high-quality, reliable DHA solutions that will give pregnant women and mothers peace of mind and that will shape healthier futures worldwide,” adds MacDonald.

This latest addition to DSM’s broad nutritional portfolio is the only 550 mg/g natural triglyceride DHA intended for use in maternal nutrition and is aimed for women who are planning to conceive, are pregnant, breastfeeding or non-breastfeeding postnatal mothers. Produced from Schizochytrium algae, life’sDHA SF55-O200DS offers a sustainable plant-based alternative to fish oil and is made with ingredients of conventional (non-GM) origin, the company supports. A trusted source of contaminant-free, kosher and halal omega 3, life’sDHA SF55-O200DS supports infant health and development and can be consumed in a single dose.

 DSM has unveiled a novel plant-based and high-quality docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oil coined life’sDHA SF55-O200DS for maternal and early life nutrition solutions.“The plant-based trend is absolutely an emerging area we will continue to focus on. Not only is the plant-based trend one that continues to rise but also the link and relevance of sustainability makes it even more interesting, as it is becoming more relevant for consumers, particularly younger demographics,” MacDonald highlights.

In addition, he says that convenience in delivery format is a significant driver for consumer purchases. “This is the critical driver and a value proposition of this new product. We know that consumers, particularly maternal nutrition consumers don’t enjoy consuming large or multiple softgel capsules but they recognize the importance of consuming omega 3 and in particular DHA. This new product enables brand marketers to offer smaller or fewer capsules to maternal nutrition consumers while still maintaining the dosages required for proper nutrition,” he states.

Early life nutrition boost with DHA
Evidence indicates that optimal omega 3 DHA intake plays an essential role in life-long health and development, particularly in infancy during the first 1,000 days – between the onset of a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday. DSM references a review of omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) recommendations, which showed the most effective doses as being  between 500 mg and 1,000 mg of DHA and EPA per day, where at least 500 mg is DHA.

“The product is unique because it is also in its natural triglyceride form, just like fish and other dietary fats. It is used in the body the same way regular dietary fats are consumed in our diet. The recently published review stated that maternal supplementation with 500 mg of EPA and DHA (predominantly DHA) per day over the course of 12 weeks reduced the risk of having a preterm baby by 11 percent, lowers the risk of having an early preterm baby by 42 percent and reduces the risk of having a low birth weight by 10 percent,” MacDonald stresses.

DSM also underscores that the life’sDHA brand represents its commitment to safety, quality and reliability, offering mothers and pregnant women the reassurance that they and their children are consuming safe products that are free of ocean-borne contaminants, like mercury, associated with fish and fish oils.

The company is having a very active year so far, seemingly unaffected by the effects of the pandemic, currently sweeping the world. Recently, it unveiled its latest microbial powders for infant nutrition. The DHASCO-B and ARASCO powders contain a minimum of 110 mg DHA or ARA (arachidonic acid) respectively, and are sustainably produced with vegetarian DHA omega 3 and ARA omega 6 oils. They are marketed as safe, natural and supporting optimal developmental outcomes in young children.

Moreover, Royal DSM has agreed to acquire Glycom A/S (Glycom), a major supplier of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) for an enterprise value of €765 million (US$826 million). “The acquisition of Glycom, adds HMOs to our portfolio, a novel high-growth ingredient for next generation Early Life Nutrition solutions. It also enables us to accelerate growth and provide customers with innovative solutions for our Human Nutrition Business,” a DSM spokesperson told NutritionInsight at the time.

By Kristiana Lalou