Plants are life sources for all living things. That’s why there’s something about plant-based supplements that feels so nourishing and wholesome for millions of customers who skip animal-derived ingredients. The truth is that vegetarian and vegan consumers have been overlooked by the supplement industry for far too long. In an attempt to capture the plant-based market, some brands are pivoting to supplements that are 100% free of animal products. This move is especially important in the DHA market. Typically, DHA oil is derived from fatty fish. However, fish isn’t the only natural source of DHA. One popular option is a naturally derived ingredient called algal oil. Is algal oil vegan? Keep reading to learn about how brands can begin selling vegan alternatives to DHA oil.
Benefits of Having Algal Oil as a Vegan Alternative in Your Supplement Line
Is algal oil vegan? Yes! Algal oil is a natural substance derived from marine algae that is compositionally similar to fish oil. This oil is sometimes referred to as “seaweed oil” due to its appearance. Like fish oil, algal oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Here’s why adding this vegan-friendly alternative to fish oil is a smart move for your supplement brand.
Demand for Vegan Products Is Rising
According to researchers, the demand for vegan food has grown by over 980% in the last decade. More and more people are beginning to embrace the vegan lifestyle after learning about the health benefits online from blogs, influencers, and publications. The vegan market is especially interesting for brands in the supplement space due to the fact that most people who follow plant-based diets require supplements to reach daily values for various vitamins and nutrients. Is algal oil vegan approved? Yes, an algal oil vegan alternative is naturally free of animal products. By introducing an algal oil vegan supplement to your lineup, you are now opening up your brand to a market segment that was formerly closed off to your reach.
Niche Potential in the Prenatal Market
Obstetricians have consistently recommended that pregnant women consume at least 200 milligrams of DHA per day in order to optimize pregnancy outcomes and fetal health. DHA is a major structural fat that is important for fetal brain and retinal development. Additionally, pregnant women likely have an increased need for essential omega-3 fatty acids compared with women who are not pregnant. For women who do not consume fish and other animal products, sourcing high-quality DHA can be difficult. This is where a brand has an opportunity to provide a safe prenatal supplement that enables customers to reach the daily requirements for DHA during pregnancy. By adding DHA algal oil vegan products to your lineup, you’re exposing your brand to a niche audience that has a specific need.
DHA Algal Oil Vegan Products Can Be Environmentally Friendly
Customers are increasingly making purchasing decisions with sustainability in mind. Unlike traditional fish-based DHA oil, algal oil vegan products do not remove fish from the world’s waters. With concerns of overfishing on the minds of many, the fact that traditional DHA oil comes from salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other cold-water fish creates ethical concerns. DHA algal oil vegan products remove that concern by sourcing high-quality nutrients from the world’s oceans without destroying sea life.
DHA Algal Oil Vegan Products Are Natural
People who want to avoid animal products are often forced to rely on synthetic products in order to get the nutrients they need. For most customers, settling for fake or artificial ingredients just to avoid consuming animal products feels unsatisfying. The beauty of algal oil vegan products is that they allow customers to enjoy the benefits of DHA without going to a synthetic source.
Launching Your Algal Oil Vegan Products
The demand for vegan supplements will rise exponentially in the coming years. Vegan customers are eagerly looking for high-quality plant-based supplements that offer nutritional equivalents to animal-derived products. Is algal oil vegan in every case? While this product is a vegan-friendly option by nature, it’s important to work with an FDA-approved and certified manufacturer to ensure that you can put a vegan label on your supplements. NutraPak USA offers white-label supplement production in a state-of-the-art facility in New Jersey. Our team sources the purest algal oil before formulating capsules, tinctures, and other products for our clients. Contact us today to learn more about getting vegan-approved algal oil supplements made under your brand name!