Mood/joint targets boost EPAX omega-3 sales

Pharmline has reported sales of proprietary EPAX omega-3 fatty acid concentrates are 40 percent ahead of sales from the same period last year, further evidence - if it were needed - that nutritional lipids have become a hit in recent years.

The omega-3 essential fatty acid category has been growing in double-digits for the past five years and is projected to grow at rates of 8 percent on average leading up to 2010, according to market analyst Frost & Sullivan.

The Florida, NY-based supplier and manufacturer sources the fish oils from Norwegian affiliate EPAX through an exclusive agreement.

Pharmaline attributes some of this year's omega-3 success to the marketing of mood and joint health markets - showing that altering ratios of oils to match condition-specific needs has its pay-offs for this ingredient.

Omega-3 has become increasingly popular as a supplement and functional food ingredient due to the growing body of evidence that points to its benefits. The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are found primarily in oil from oily fish and evidence supports their use to reduce the risk of heart disease, improve arthritis symptoms and have cognitive development and antioxidant benefits.

This year, Pharmaline launched the new mood and joint health support products EPAX 6015 in ethyl ester and triglyceride forms, with 530mg EPA and 100mg DHA. The entire Epax oil ingredient range is sold under five different categories: 'cardiovascular', 'mood health', 'joint health and joint mobility', 'mother and child', as well as 'weight management'.

EPAX's condition-specific formulas are designed with varying EPA/DHA ratios depending on the area they address. The company claims these formulas are the result of years of clinical research and testing.

Pharmline is a global supplier and manufacturer of nutritional supplements, standardized phytonutrients and chemicals.