PhytoLove

Frequently Asked Questions!

Does Ahiflower contain EPA and DHA?

Ahiflower does not contain EPA and DHA, but instead allows the body to efficiently convert to EPA and synthesise DHA in key tissues through providing the highest natural plant source of omega-3 ALA and SDA.

Omega-3 SDA (found in hemp, but found in 8-10x the amount in Ahiflower) converts to EPA on average at a rate of 30-40% in normal healthy adults. However diet, lifestyle, and stress factors (e.g., meat consumption, alcohol consumption, smoking) can influence all conversion rates. Vegetarians, vegans, and women are known to convert essential omega-3 fatty acids more efficiently than people consuming higher saturated fat diets.

Ahiflower oil has been shown in controlled human clinical trials to convert to EPA up to 4x more efficiently than flaxseed oil, a common plant-based omega-3 supplement choice. Emerging science in mammals is showing that although plant-based ALA-only oils (eg flax, chia) and Ahiflower oil do not contribute significantly to elevated circulating DHA levels, switching from preformed DHA to Ahiflower oil does maintain circulating stores of DHA in mammals — replacing preformed dietary DHA as and when needed for tissue uptake. This approach may be advantageous as opposed to taking in preformed DHA which has been shown to downregulate the natural metabolism of omega-3.

How does Ahiflower compare to flax oil?

Ahiflower provides both the short chain omega-3 ALA (found in flax and chia), but also additional omega-3 SDA, a more advanced plant-based omega-3.

SDA allows for superior conversion to the long-chain omega 3s found in fish and algae.

Ahiflower oil has been shown in controlled human clinical trials to convert to EPA up to 4x more efficiently than flaxseed oil. In mammal studies, Ahiflower also more readily biosynthesises DHA in key tissues like the liver and brain. Ahiflower also provides omega-6 GLA found in evening primrose, unlike flax.

Flax seeds remain a wonderfully healthy food with its own unique health benefits so we definitely encourage its consumption.

How does Ahiflower compare to fish or fish oil?

Ahiflower converts efficiently to the omegas found in fish and fish oil but without any of the common objections to fish or fish oil products.

Additionally, Ahiflower offers a broad spectrum of beneficial omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 metabolites which are not provided in any meaningful quantities by fish or fish oil.

A number of studies strongly indicate that the preformed DHA found in fish and fish oil appears to downregulate the natural omega-3 metabolism pathway. Instead, using Ahiflower allows our body to achieve conversion naturally and efficiently.

How does Ahiflower compare to algae supplements?

Ahiflower converts or biosynthesises in key tissues efficiently to the omegas found in algae oil and readily converts to higher amounts of EPA than typically achieved with regular dosing of algae supplements.

Additionally, Ahiflower offers a broad spectrum of beneficial omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 metabolites which are not provided in any meaningful quantities by algae supplements.

A number of studies strongly indicate that the preformed DHA found in fish or algal oils appears to downregulate the natural omega-3 metabolism pathway. Instead, using Ahiflower allows our body to achieve conversion naturally and efficiently.

How does Ahiflower compare to evening primrose oil?

Ahiflower provides approximately 5-8% GLA, compared to evening primrose oil’s 6-10%. Evening primrose is far greater in omega-6 than omega-3, and does not provide the vast spectrum of omega-3s achieved by Ahiflower oil. Typically Western diets are already far higher in omega-6 than omega-3, and Ahiflower’s 4:1 omega 3:6 ratio helps to rebalance the fats in our diets.

How does Ahiflower compare to hemp oil?

Ahiflower provides up to 10x more SDA and around twice the GLA provided by hemp seed oil- this allows higher conversion through to the long-chain omega 3s EPA and DHA.

Hemp also has an omega 3:6 ratio that is strongly skewed towards omega-6, rather than omega-3. In the context of Western diets with their huge excess of omega-6, Ahiflower has approximately 4 parts omega-3 to each part omega-6, bringing our dietary fats back into balance.

Hemp seeds are a highly nutritious food, providing amino acids and minerals which are not provided by an omega supplement such as Ahiflower! They certainly deserve a place on your plate.