Why Take Vegan Omega-3 With Vitamin D3 and K2?

What is Omega-3?

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, which means the body can't produce them; we must consume them through food or supplements. On a molecular level, polyunsaturated fatty acids have more than one double carbon bond. These double bonds cause bends in the fatty acid chains, which discourages them from packing together and allows them to be broken down more easily. From a nutritional standpoint, the American Heart Association recommends making the majority of fats you eat polyunsaturated or monounsaturated.

You can find ALA fatty acids in plant oils and nuts. Dietary sources include walnuts, pecans, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and flaxseed oil. Although the body can convert ALA into EPA and DHA, the conversion rates are limited. This means it's crucial to consume EPA and DHA to get the full benefits of these essential fats.

Phytoplankton and marine algae contain EPA and DHA. Fish that consume these sea plants ingest the EPA and DHA, which is why we find our primary dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids in fish and fish oil supplements.

The richest sources of EPA and DHA are wild-caught, cold-water fish and seafood. Unfortunately, farm-raised fish are sometimes fed soy, poultry, or fishmeal scraps, and many of these farming methods are unsustainable and environmentally damaging. They also threaten wild fish, and when consumed there can be a risk of pollutants and mercury and heavy metal contamination.

To avoid all of these risks, vegan omega-3s are the best supplement solution. Amandean's omega-3 fatty acid supplements are made from pure, non-GMO marine algae grown safely in a cGMP-controlled lab in the USA. Sustainability is a major priority for Amandean. 

In addition, these supplements are carrageenan-free, have a high bioavailability of DHA and EPA in the recommended 2:1 ratio, and, best of all, there are no fish burps like you commonly get with omega-3 fish oil softgels.

Why Take a Vitamin D3 + K2 Supplement?

When you look at supplement bottles, you can see that vitamins come in different forms. Prefixes or numbers usually designate what type of vitamin you're taking. An example would be vitamin D3+K2 supplements.Vitamin D comes in two main forms: D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). One study from the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism measured vitamin D status before and after subjects took either D3 or D2 supplements. Results showed that D3 raises serum vitamin D levels more effectively than D2 supplements.Your body can produce vitamin D from sunlight or absorb it from food or vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is vital for a robust immune system and healthy bones. Consequences of vitamin D deficiency include soft, fragile bones. Two primary conditions that result from low vitamin D are:

• Rickets: affecting children
• Osteomalacia: affecting people of all ages
• Osteoporosis: affecting mainly the elderly

Vitamin K and D are both fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin K also plays an essential role in bone health, blood clotting, and cardiovascular health. This vitamin ensures calcium is deposited correctly to build strong bones and doesn't build up in arteries where it can form plaques, blockages, and hardened artery walls.

The two forms of vitamin K found in food are K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone). Vitamin K2 has much greater bioavailability, especially the MK-7 subtype found in fermented foods. Unfortunately, the typical western diet doesn't include high amounts of these fermented foods.Because both vitamin D and K play a vital role in bone health and proper calcium distribution, combining them in a single supplement is both efficient and sensible.

Amandean's Vitamin D3+K2 supplement contains 99.7 % all-trans MK-7, which is the most bioactive form of vitamin K. It also has plant-based D3 made from sustainably-sourced algal oil from the UK. This vegan alternative is blended with organic coconut oil in a carrageenan-free softgel for better absorption.

Health Benefits of Combining Omega-3 and D3+ K2 Supplements

Both omega-3 and vitamin D3 have received a lot of publicity for the health improvements they deliver. Taken together, this is a winning combo. Here are a few of the top healthcare benefits.

• Cardiovascular Disease and Heart Health:Vitamin D helps maintain healthy blood vessels, heart, and normal blood pressure. It has also been shown to lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, which are two of the main risk factors for heart disease. Likewise, omega-3 fats can help keep the heart healthy and lower triglycerides.
  
  
• Bone Health:Vitamin D and K definitely impact bone health. The NIH recommends vitamin D to preserve strong bones and prevent osteoporosis in the following amounts:
  
  
• 15 mcg (600 IU) for children and adults
  
• 20 mcg (800 IU) for adults 71 and older

• Cognitive Function and Mental Health:Some research shows that those who consume omega-3s have better cognitive function and a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia. There may also be a link between low levels of vitamin D and depression. Further research is needed to determine to what extent vitamin D supplements can impact moderate and severe depressive symptoms.

• Peri-Menopausal Health:An eight-week study with women between the ages of 40 and 55 showed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced symptoms of depression associated with menopause. Another study has shown that adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium may prevent early menopause, which is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and other adverse effects.

• Immune System:Vitamin D impacts overall immune health. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to infection and affects autoimmune diseases. Omega-3s also affect the activation of the immune cells and may help reduce inflammation. 
  

The VITAL Study

The VITAL study is a five-year double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with subjects over age 50 who had no history of heart disease or cancer. They were divided into four groups receiving omega-3 and vitamin D supplements or placebos:

• Vitamin D (2,000 IU daily) and fish oil (1,000 mg daily, 460 mg EPA/380 mg DHA)
• Vitamin D and placebo
• Fish Oil and placebo
• 2 placebos

Although supplementation did not lower the risk of a major cardiovascular event, the study had encouraging, secondary findings. Subjects who developed cancer had a 17% lower risk of dying. In addition, there was a 28% reduction in heart attack risk for those taking omega-3 supplements, with greater benefits for those who didn't regularly eat fish at the start of the clinical trial.