MyProtein Vegan Omega-3 Plus Review *Unsponsored*
I recently decided to re-integrate an Omega-3 supplement into my diet and ordered the MyProtein Vegan Omega-3 Plus softgels. Here’s the low-down on vegan Omega-3 supplements and my honest review of this product.
Getting enough Omega-3 on a plant-based diet
Fatty fish such as salmon are the most common source of Omega-3 fatty acids, but you can find this essential nutrient in plants such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, soybeans and leafy greens.
That being said, individuals following a plant-based diet often need to pay closer attention to their Omega-3 intake, to ensure they get enough of it every day.
The importance of omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are called "essential" nutrients because the body cannot produce them on its own, so they must be obtained from the diet. The three main omega-3 fatty acids are:
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in plant sources.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) primarily found in fatty fish.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fatty fish and in smaller amounts in algae.
Omega-3 fatty acids play several crucial roles in the body, such as:
Heart health: Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering triglyceride levels and improving the function of blood vessels.
Brain health: DHA, in particular, is abundant in the brain and is important for brain development and function. Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to support cognitive function and may help reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
Eye health: DHA is also a major structural component of the retina in the eye, and adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids may help maintain good vision and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Joint health: Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce joint pain and stiffness in conditions like osteoarthritis by decreasing inflammation in the joints.
Should you take an Omega-3 supplement if you don’t eat fish?
The omega-3 fatty acid found in plants is primarily alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body must convert into EPA and DHA, to be fully utilised.
But, our body can only convert a small percentage, which means that if you’re on a plant-based diet or do not eat fatty fish, you may have lower levels of EPA and DHA.
This is why it is often recommended to take a vegan Omega-3 supplement, which provides EPA and DHA derived from algae.
MyProtein Vegan Omega-3 Plus
The Vegan Omega-3 Plus supplement from MyProtein comes in a softgel form.
Unlike most Omega-3 supplements, this plant-based one is completely fish-free and packed with Algae Oil, which is what fatty fish eat and what makes them so rich in Omega-3.
It is recommended to take one softgel per day with one of your main meals, as it is better absorbed this way.
How much DHA and EPA is there per serving?
One serving (one softgel) provides you with 250mg of DHA and 125mg of EPA.
The generic recommendation for healthy adults is to consume at least 250mg of combined DHA and EPA per day.
This can be tricky if you’re on a plant-based diet, and supplementing can tremendously help reaching the recommended daily intake.
How much does it cost?
The RRP is £27.99 for 90 softgels but you can always find a discount code to use if the product isn’t already on offer. Find it here.
Even if you pay full price, this only comes down to £0.30 per daily serving.
MyProtein Vegan Omega 3 Plus review
Here are my honest thoughts after taking this supplement for 2 months.
The positives
It’s easy to ingest. I’m not too keen on capsules and almost expected to be unable to swallow these softgels, but I was pleasantly surprised. They go down easily with a few sips of water and integrating the supplement into my daily routine has been effortless.
There’s no bad aftertaste. I tried other vegan Omega-3 before that had a rather strong algae smell and taste. These softgels are absolutely odourless and tasteless.
It helps me fill a gap in my diet. I don’t eat enough flaxseeds, chia seeds and soybeans every day to fully cover my Omega-3 daily requirement, so this daily softgel is a great help to prevent any deficiencies.
It’s relatively inexpensive. The good thing with MyProtein supplements is that they are accessible to many.
Will I continue taking this supplement?
Whilst I find many positives to taking the MyProtein Vegan Omega 3 Plus, I may look into an alternative once I’ve run out of these softgels, for two main reasons.
First, whilst this supplement covers the recommended daily intake, I think other brands offer a higher concentration of DHA, and given my current diet I think I need a stronger dose.
The second reason is the traceability and quality of algae oil used. There’s very little information on the MyProtein website and I’d love to know more about where the ingredients come from. I’m looking for more transparency and I’m willing to pay a higher price to ensure I get a higher quality Omega-3 supplement.
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