Vegetarian algal source of omega-3 DHA

A new vegetarian algal source of omega-3 DHA is now available in a number of foods and beverages, providing pregnant and nursing mums with a welcome alternative to fish and fish oils.

New Algal source of DHA Benefits Mums-to-be and Babies

A new vegetarian source of omega-3 DHA derived from marine algae, is now available in a number of products in Australia providing a welcome alternative for pregnant and nursing mums concerned with possible toxicity of some fish and fish oils.

Research indicates a diet rich in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding supports healthy pregnancies as well as the healthy development of infants, particularly brain and eye development and function, says Accredited Practising Dietitian, Melanie McGrice.

"Fish are the most abundant source of omega-3 DHA, however, as a Dietitian I see many women who are limiting their fish intake because of concern about methyl mercury toxicity and are unsure how much and which types of fish are appropriate to eat during pregnancy. This may result in them not getting enough DHA in their diet to ensure vital development and function of the baby's brain and eyes in particular."

Melanie continues "In fact, only one in two Australians are consuming an adequate intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids".

Research studies have shown maternal DHA supplementation during breast feeding resulted in mental development advantages in children including improved psychomotor development (such as eye-hand coordination) at two and a half years of age, improved attention skills, a better ability to adjust to new surroundings and a higher IQ.

Now pregnant and breast feeding women can attain the recommended daily intake of DHA by including in their diets foods containing the new marine algal source of omega-3 DHA, life's DHA, such as yoghurts, honey, eggs and juices.

DHA is a natural component of breast milk, and important for infant brain and eye development and function. The baby's brain grows rapidly during the last months of pregnancy and throughout the first years of life when DHA accumulates rapidly in the brain. However an infant's ability to produce DHA may be inconsistent and inefficient. DHA levels decrease significantly following birth unless the baby receives DHA either through breast milk or supplemented infant formula. Many infant formulas are now supplemented with a blend of DHA and another fatty acid called ARA that is also found in breast milk and has been shown to be important to infant health and development.

Dr. Maria Makrides, Deputy Director of the Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Adelaide, and Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Adelaide, says "Infants born prematurely do not have time to accumulate DHA to the same level as their full-term counterparts. Research demonstrates that when fed human milk or formula supplemented with DHA, preterm infants achieved normal growth in terms of weight, length and head circumference, and showed improved visual and mental development compared to the infants fed unsupplemented formula. In fact our latest research indicates the requirements of DHA may be even higher for pre-terms infants than previously thought"*, continues Dr Makrides.

While breast feeding is the best source of nutrition for infants, supplemented formulas have also been shown to be an effective way for infants to obtain omega-3 DHA and experience the benefits for brain and eye development. Infant formula supplemented with marine algal DHA, life'sDHA, and vegetarian ARA, life'sARA™, is now available in Australia.

The ages from one to five are a time of critical growth for the brain and it is important that toddlers consume adequate amounts of DHA to support brain and visual development. Now a range of infant products fortified with the algal DHA are available in Australia such as yoghurts, baby foods, and milk, as well as honey and eggs (See list below).

life'sDHAä contains no ocean-borne contaminants potentially found in fish oils and fish (including methyl mercury), is free of the allergens associated with fish proteins and is suitable for vegetarians.



*Smithers LG, Gibson RA, McPhee A, Makrides M. Higher dose of docosahexaenoic acid in the neonatal period improves visual acuity of preterm infants: results of a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Oct;88(4):1049-56.

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life'sDHAä Products in Australia

For Children:
Rafferty's Garden Platinum Range DHA Omega-3 (for infants 12 months and up), 170 g:
Creamy Tuna Mornay(34mg life'sDHAä), Mini Meat Balls with Spaghetti (34mg life'sDHA), Macaroni Cheese & Cauliflower and Peas (51mg life'sDHA), Granny's Apple Crumble (43mg life'sDHA) , Fruit Custard (77mg life'sDHA), Rice Pudding with Sultanas (85 mg life'sDHA)
Vaalia® My First Yoghurt: 6x60g pack of apple, raspberry, banana or vanilla. Each 60g pot contains 36mg of life'sDHA
Vaalia® Yoghurt for Toddlers: 6x90g pack containing 3 vanilla and 3 peach. Each 90g pot contains 58mg life'sDHA
Pura® Kids Milk: 1 litre and 2 litre containers, with life'sDHA omega-3. 250ml contains 75% of the daily omega-3 DHA needs of 1-3 year old children
Wyeth Infant Formula: S-26 Gold Alpha Pro (Stage-1) (7.1mg life'sDHA per 100ml), S-26 Progress Gold (Stage-2) (3.5 mg life'sDHA per 100ml) S-26 Toddler Gold (1.8mg life'sDHA per 100ml)

For Adults:
Capilano Honey & Omega 3 DHA Snap'n Squeeze® 12 x 7g = 84g Each 7g pack contains 30.1mg life'sDHA
Farm Pride Omega-3 enriched eggs; serving of 2 eggs (90g) contains an average 240mg life'sDHAä
Boost Juice's Pocket Rocket (fresh pineapple, passionfruit, banana and orange) contains over 100% of an adult's daily omega-3 requirement as life'sDHA.
Omega Booster is life'sDHA omega-3 and contains over 100% of an adult's daily omega-3 requirement that can be added to any Boost Juice

Vaalia® Adult Low Fat Yoghurt with life'sDHA omega-3:
2x175g packs. Flavours: Vanilla Mango, Rich Strawberry and Vanilla. Each 175g serve contains 108mg life'sDHA
4x150g packs. Flavours: Vanilla Mango, Pomegranate Raspberry, Rich Strawberry and Vanilla
12x90g packs. Flavours: Vanilla Mango, Pomegranate Raspberry, Orange Mango Chai


About Martek
Martek Biosciences Corporation, which produces life'sDHAä , was founded in 1985 and is a leader in the innovation and development of life-science-based products that promote health and wellness through every stage of life. For more information about life'sDHA and Martek go to: www.lifesdha.com.au