Omega-3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid Sourced from Microalga Improves Cardiovascular Health

by | Jul 20, 2020 | 2020, Blood Lipids, Cardiovascular Health

Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer. Eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA) is a natural source of EPA-only that was shown to increase EPA and Omega-3 Index, and control cholesterol levels in a healthy population.

blood lipidsAccording to recent statistics, about 95% of the American population does not meet the recommended dietary guideline for eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) found in fish and other types of seafood 1. DHA and EPA supplementation is known to reduce cardiometabolic risk by improving triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood pressure 2-4. Although the majority of research studies looking at the cardiovascular benefits of PUFAs have primarily focused on supplements combining DHA and EPA, EPA may have distinct heart health benefits from DHA 5,6. For example, EPA-only formulations demonstrate the ability to reduce very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) without increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), unlike formulations containing DHA, which appear to increase LDL-C as VLDL-C decreases 4. Although omega-3 PUFAs are typically sourced from shellfish, the microalga Nannochloropsis is a natural plant source, one that uniquely produces EPA without DHA and demonstrates higher bioavailability than other sources of PUFAs 7. In a recent study 8 published in Nutrients (2020), researchers examined the potential cardioprotective benefits of a photosynthetic EPA-only omega-3 PUFAs supplement derived from Nannochloropsis (Almega®PL) on Omega-3 Index (O3I) and other cardiometabolic parameters in a group of healthy subjects.

A total of 104 healthy participants (41 males, 63 females, mean age = 53 years) were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive 1 g of either Almega®PL (standardized to contain 250 mg EPA) or a matching soy oil placebo once daily for 6 weeks before being assigned to the alternate arm of the study for an additional 6 weeks. At baseline and following each treatment period, fasting blood samples were collected to determine O3I (omega-3 nutritional status based on EPA and DHA concentrations in red blood cell membranes) and lipid profile. Markers of liver toxicity and markers of oxidative stress were also evaluated, and questionnaires assessing mood and quality of life were completed by subjects.

Mean change in O3I was found to be significantly higher in the Almega®PL group, relative to placebo, at Week 6 and Week 12 (p < 0.001 for both). Erythrocyte concentrations of EPA and n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) were also significantly increased in the Almega®PL group vs. placebo at Week 6 and Week 12 (p < 0.05 for all).  At Week 12, Almega®PL significantly lowered total cholesterol (TC) and VLDL-C, relative to placebo (p < 0.05 for both), and reduced hip circumference (p < 0.05). Finally, compared to placebo, 12 weeks of supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in the aspartate transaminase (AST, liver enzyme) (p = 0.0127) and a significant increase on the vigor subscale of the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire at Week 6 and Week 12 (p < 0.05 for both).

Overall results suggest that a plant-based source of omega-3 EPA can effectively raise O3I and improve cholesterol levels in healthy individuals. Supplementation with Almega®PL appeared to decrease TC, as well as VLDL-C, without increasing LDL-C, corroborating previous reports (4). Almega®PL also had favorable effects on liver function (based on reduced AST concentrations), weight management, and mood and proved to have good bioavailability (based on increased concentrations of EPA and DPA). Collectively, findings support the use of an EPA-only supplement like Almega®PL for the promotion of cardiovascular health. Considering the relatively low dosage level employed in the current study, additional studies should determine optimal intake levels for patients with existing cardiovascular disease. It would also be beneficial to compare Almega®PL  to an active control group in future studies. Potential limitations of the current study include a relatively small sample size and a relatively short supplementation period.

Source: Rao A, Briskey D, O Nalley J, et al. Omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) rich extract from the microalga Nannochloropsis decreases cholesterol in healthy individuals: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, three-month supplementation study. Nutrients. 2020; 12 1869. DOI: 10.3390/nu12061869.

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open accessarticle distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Posted July 20, 2020.

Angeline A. De Leon, MA, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in neuroscience. She received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2013, where she studied clinical neuroscience within an integrative health program. Her specialized area of research involves the complementary use of neuroimaging and neuropsychology-based methodologies to examine how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and meditation, can influence brain plasticity and enhance overall connectivity.

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