The Magnificent 7

2. Omega-3s

Why we like it:

Omega-3s stand at the pinnacle of the ingredients world.

There's consumer awareness, and there is an active and effective ingredient-specific association (GOED) countering misinformation and pushing best practices and good science, which supports cardiovascular, cognitive support and vision-health benefits. Big Pharma is even on board with a prescription higher-dosage fish oil capsule, raising awareness (albeit with a snarky "You can't get this in a health foods store" ad campaign). And new microencapsulation technology has enabled formulators to spring omega-3s out of their gelcap prisons and put them in a variety of foods and beverages.

Science says:

Ample literature supports the cardioprotective benefits of omega-3s. But science support for other health benefit claims took a hit recently with no-effect outcomes in trials of a (vegetable source) DHA on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and the effect of (marine-derived) DHA on maternal depression.3,4

Our favorite delivery system: Ocean Nutrition's MEG-3 microencapsulated ingredient is turning up in a variety of foods, reaching consumers who don't like swallowing horse capsules.

http://www.functionalingredientsmag.com/article/Ingredient-Focus/the-magnificent-7-our-ingredient-picks-for-2011.aspx

http://www.depsyl.com/

http://back2basicnutrition.com/

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/