Omega dream team: Epax launches first concentrated oil to combine LC-MUFAs and LC-PUFAs

Epax has launched a full-spectrum oil offering a unique combination of Omegas 3, 9 and 11, with particular potential for skin health supplements.

EPAX^® Omega 3-9-11 is rich in Omega-3 EPA and DHA – long-chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) well known for their benefits in areas like heart and brain health. However, unlike other Omega-3 products, it combines them with the less familiar long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (LC-MUFAs), Omegas 9 and 11, which are increasingly being recognised for their potential in skin and metabolic health.

The first concentrated version of an oil with both LC-MUFAs and LC-PUFAs, EPAX^® Omega 3-9-11 is derived from pelagic fish from the North Atlantic. As well as a healthy amount of Omega-3, they contain unusually high levels of Omega-9 and Omega-11.

The new product is produced using Epax^® EQP+ Tech, a next-level distillation process, which allows Epax to isolate and increase the content of Omegas 3, 9 and 11. EPAX^® Omega 3-9-11 contains a minimum of 720 mg / g of these fatty acids.

Ideal for nutraceuticals, it offers significant potential in the skin health category. EPA and DHA are capable of reducing UV-induced inflammation¹, while a pilot study by Epax has indicated that Omega-9 and Omega-11-rich cetoleic oils can reduce skin redness.

Furthermore, there is evidence that the different fatty acids in EPAX^® Omega 3-9-11 may work together to deliver a complementary effect. In pre-clinical studies, metabolic health parameters were improved to a greater extent with a combination of LC-MUFAs and LC-PUFAs than with each lipid on its own.²

Bjørn Refsum, CEO of Epax, said: “Omega-3 fatty acids – and all the scientific evidence of their benefits – are just the start of the story. As well as developing EPA and DHA of unmatched purity and quality, Epax has been exploring the potential of other marine lipids. EPAX^® Omega 3-9-11 is a full-spectrum solution that offers the best of both worlds – the familiar, well-proven Omega-3, and the up-and-coming Omegas 9 and 11. The potential is huge and there’s much more to discover.”

Epax is supporting further research into the role of LC-MUFAs for skin health – recruitment has begun for a randomised placebo-controlled study in subjects with eczema. Epax is also proud to provide LC-MUFAs for university research into metabolic health.

¹ Pilkington et al, 2011
​² Yoshinaga et al, 2021

About Epax

Part of Norwegian fishery giant Pelagia AS, Epax Norway AS is a leading manufacturer of concentrated marine oils.

Epax^® has been an innovator for over 180 years. Since 1838, when it began producing premium quality cod liver oil, Epax has transformed the marine ingredients sector. It invented the technology to concentrate fish oil as an ethyl ester, and to re-esterify oils back to TG-form. It was also the first company to create condition-specific EPA/DHA ingredients backed by science. Today Epax continues to deliver Omega-3 products of unmatched purity and quality.

The Epax production facility in Ålesund, Norway has, in addition to all standard manufacturing certifications/approvals, been approved by the US FDA for manufacture of Pharmaceutical Intermediates and by the Norwegian Medicines Agency (Legemiddelverket) for the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

Epax Contact

Sarah Christianslund

[email protected]
​Tel. +47 70 135960

Ingredient Communications Contact

Steve Harman
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Tel. +44 7538 118079