An animal study recently published in Lipids adds evidence that one type of plant-derived omega-3 may help close part of that gap. Researchers from the University of São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil, found that oils rich in stearidonic acid (SDA) significantly increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels in mice, supporting growing interest in SDA as an ingredient in EPA-focused formulations.
The findings also highlighted an important limitation. While the SDA-rich oils consistently increased EPA, they had much smaller effects on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), another omega-3 that plays an important role in brain and eye health. Because the research was conducted in mice, additional human studies will be needed to determine whether the same effects occur in people.
Why SDA is attracting attention
Fish oil remains the primary commercial source of EPA and DHA, but manufacturers have increasingly explored plant-based alternatives in response to sustainability goals, supply chain considerations and changing consumer preferences.
Most plant omega-3 ingredients contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body must convert into EPA and DHA. That conversion is relatively inefficient.
As explained to NutraIngredients by Andrew Hebard, CEO and founder of Nature’s Crops International, SDA sits one step closer to EPA in the metabolic pathway, making it a more promising starting point for increasing EPA levels than ALA alone.
That difference is why researchers continue to investigate SDA-rich oils such as Ahiflower (Buglossoides arvensis) and Echium (Echium plantagineum).
What the study found
In the eight-week study, mice consumed diets containing soybean oil, Echium oil or Ahiflower oil before researchers measured fatty acid levels in the blood, red blood cells, liver, fat tissue, heart and brain.
Both SDA-rich oils significantly increased EPA across all tissues compared with soybean oil, with higher SDA intake producing larger increases in EPA.
The picture for DHA was different. DHA increased in red blood cells but remained unchanged in the heart, brain and plasma.
The researchers concluded that SDA-rich oils may be useful when the goal is to increase EPA and could help support DHA in certain tissues or physiological conditions. However, they cautioned that the findings do not suggest SDA-rich oils broadly increase DHA throughout the body.
From fish versus plant to fish and plant
Hebard explained the findings support a broader shift in how the industry thinks about plant-derived omega-3 ingredients.
“A clear significance of the study is to highlight just how effectively SDA intake boosts EPA metabolism,” he said.
Rather than viewing plant oils as direct replacements for fish oil, Hebard explained the industry is increasingly considering how different omega sources can work together in finished products.
“It’s moving the omega-3 conversation away from ‘fish vs. plant’ to ‘what provides brands the best solution—and what delivers consumers the best products?’”
That approach reflects one of the study’s central takeaways. The findings suggest SDA-rich oils may be particularly well suited for formulations designed to increase EPA, while products targeting DHA-specific benefits may still require preformed DHA from marine or algal sources.
Hebard also noted that the study reported a lower ratio of arachidonic acid (ARA), an omega-6 fatty acid, to EPA compared with soybean oil. Although the study did not measure inflammation or clinical outcomes, he said formulators increasingly use this ratio as one way to assess changes in overall fatty acid balance.
What it means for the industry
The study adds to a growing body of evidence that SDA-rich oils could play a complementary role in future omega-3 formulations rather than competing directly with fish or algal oils.
The findings do not suggest that plant-derived SDA can replace DHA sources. Instead, they reinforce the idea that different omega-3 ingredients may serve different formulation goals, with SDA-rich oils offering a potential plant-based strategy for increasing EPA while marine and algal ingredients continue to provide direct sources of DHA.
As manufacturers look to diversify omega-3 portfolios and respond to evolving consumer demand, that distinction could become increasingly important.
Source: Lipids 2026 May;61(3):417-426. doi: 10.1002/lipd.70041. “Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels in Mouse Tissues After Intake of Echium and Ahiflower Oils Rich in Stearidonic and α-Linolenic Acids.” Authors: Segre LV, Bisinotto MS, Castro IA.
