The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are widely known and intensely studied. Every year it seems like there’s a new revelation declaring how these “healthy fats” can support brain, heart, and even digestive health. But it hasn’t always been easy for vegans to get their fill.
The best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids are often high in omega-6 as well, which is problematic when you consider a high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 has been linked to an increase in obesity and other chronic diseases.(1)
That’s where ahiflower comes in. This plant-based oil is a rich source of healthy fats and contains an optimal blend of 4:1 omega 6 to omega 3.(2)
Ahiflower oil supplements are relatively new to the market, but they’re already making waves and by the end of this guide, you’ll understand why.
What is Ahiflower Oil?
Ahiflower oil is produced from the plant of the same name. It first launched in 2015 and is grown in the United Kingdom, where it was first discovered growing in a hedgerow. (2)
Most ahiflower oil supplements currently on the market are produced on a commercial scale from non-GM plants.
Ahiflower Oil Benefits
The primary benefits of ahiflower oil stem from its fatty acid content. It is a rich source of healthy fats that could have a positive impact on overall health and well-being while reducing the risk of chronic disease.
It hasn’t been around as long as flaxseed oil or hempseed oil, but there are still numerous studies on its potential benefits, as well as many more that highlight the benefits of the fatty acids found within the oil.
It is an excellent vegan omega-3 source
Ahiflower oil is a great source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. A report by Nature’s Crops International, the company that produces the oil, notes that the main issue with plant-based omega-3 oils is that they have low bioavailability, concluding that, “People therefore have to consume much higher daily amounts of these plant-derived oils to achieve the minimum omega-3 intake levels recommended by recognized authorities.”
However, ahiflower oil contains high levels of a compound known as stearidonic acid (SDA), and this helps to improve bioavailability. SDA converts to both EPA and DPA and is far more efficient than ALA.(3)
In simple terms, it means that ahiflower oil could supply a greater concentration of beneficial compounds than other plant-based omega-3 sources like flax and hemp.
It supports heart health
There is increasing excitement around the potential benefits of ahiflower oil for heart health. The product itself is still in its infancy, but the same can’t be said for omega-3 fatty acids, which have been studied extensively.
Omega-3 supplements have been shown to reduce triglycerides (thus assisting with hypertriglyceridemia), raise HDL levels (“good cholesterol”), and potentially decrease the risk of cardiovascular issues.(4)(5)
Heart disease is the biggest killer in the United States and while many incidents are related to genetics, age, and lifestyle factors, diet plays a big role. A little omega-3, therefore, could go a very long way.
It could increase muscle synthesis
Many omega-3 and ahiflower oil benefits concern the heart and general longevity, but the studies dig much deeper than that. For instance, a 2012 study noted that omega-3 supplementation caused a notable increase in muscle protein anabolic response in healthy young and middle-aged adults.(6)
And this is just one of many studies focusing on muscle growth, strength, and performance, which is why omega-3 supplements are such a common component of any supplement stack.
It could support brain health
Omega-3 fatty acids seem to work wonders in the brain, so it’s no surprise that this is such a common area of research.
Numerous studies have suggested that people who take omega-3 supplements and consume a lot of natural fatty acids have lower rates of depression. Researchers have also found that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have lower levels of essential fatty acids.(7)(8)
And then you have the countless studies relating to memory and cognitive incline, and this is where omega-3 really shines.
One of the biggest studies into these effects looked at 2,183 patients with no history of strokes, no signs of dementia, and a mean age of 46 years. It measured dosages of omega-3s and their effects and noted that higher levels were closely associated with “better brain structure and cognitive function”. (9)
Another study on age-related cognitive decline found that omega-3 supplementation helped to improve cognitive function in 10 out of 14 participants. (10)
How to take ahiflower oil
The easiest way to take ahiflower oil is in softgel form. Just make sure the gels and added ingredients are vegan-friendly, as is the case with Clean Machine Ahiflower Oil.
For maximum effects, consume the softgels in combination with a healthy, balanced diet, one that combines lots of plant-based proteins, complex carbs, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Balanced plant-based nutrition is key to maximizing the effects of any essential oils, as plant-based diets have been linked to countless improved health outcomes, including better digestion, less cardiovascular disease, and reduced cancer risk.
Ahiflower oil dosage
The recommended dosage for ahiflower oil will depend on the product and whether you’re taking an oil or a softgel. Always check the label. For instance, a serving of Clean Machine Ahiflower Oil is 3 softgels taken daily with food.
You don’t need to take any additional omega-3 supplements when taking ahiflower. However, you should still incorporate natural healthy fats into your diet, including those from nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
Is it safe for me to take ahiflower oil?
Ahiflower oil is a natural product manufactured to a high degree of purity. It is perfectly safe for the vast majority of the population. However, if you have any allergies to related plants or a pre-existing illness that could cause sensitivities, you should speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement regime.
What can I take with ahiflower oil?
The best way to stack ahiflower is to eat a balanced and nutrient-rich diet. Ahiflower oil is designed to supplement your diet and make up for potential shortfalls in fatty acids, but it is not a magic bullet that will put right all dietary wrongs.
As far as other supplements go, ahiflower is a non-stimulant that can be taken at any time, so you can add anything that you want. Need a little boost before a workout? Take some BCAAs. Looking for a little more strength and power? Check out Clean Machine’s Cell Block 80.
Is ahiflower oil sustainable?
The oil is produced sustainably in the UK from a large ahiflower crop. Back in 2015, when ahiflower oil was first approved for sale in the US and UK, the manufacturers noted that there were over 1,000 hectares of farming land producing the flower. This land covered various areas in the UK, including Sussex in southern England and the Black Isle in Scotland.
Is ahiflower oil vegan?
Yes, of course. The oil is produced from a plant-based source. Just make sure you’re sourcing your ahiflower oil supplements from a reputable, vegan-certified company, as the added ingredients may not be vegan-friendly.
Summary: Ahiflower Oil—The Ultimate Plant-Based Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Ahiflower oil was a game-changer for the plant-based supplement sector, giving vegans a highly bioavailable, easily accessible way to consume an optimal balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
It’s backed by a wealth of benefits (both for ahiflower itself and for omega-3 fatty acids) and is completely natural, so it’s well tolerated even in high doses and produces minimal—if any—side effects.
Thinking of adding some ahiflower oil to your supplement stack? Check out Clean Machine Ahiflower Oil.
References
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Study: An Increase in the Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio Increases the Risk for Obesity
Conclusion: “A high omega-6 fatty acid intake and a high omega-6/omega-3 ratio are associated with weight gain in both animal and human studies, whereas a high omega-3 fatty acid intake decreases the risk for weight gain.”
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Study: Ahiflower Oil—The Rising GLA Alternative to Evening Primrose for Women & Vegans
Conclusion 1: “Ahiflower has comparable GLA levels to evening primrose and echium oils. As the chart shows, Ahiflower oil delivers the richest overall balance of omega-3 and omega-6 plant-based fatty acids in an optimal 4:1 ratio.”
Conclusion 2: “Ahiflower oil—the newest plant-based GLA source launched in 2015—overcomes these supply chain and processing issues entirely, as it is grown exclusively in the UK under strict traceability and regenerative farming protocols.”
Conclusion: “These demonstrate that stearidonic acid is converted to EPA (and DPA) in humans, but not to DHA, and that the increase in EPA content of blood lipids or blood cells is greater than that achieved with the same intake of α-linolenic acid.”
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/stearidonic-acid
Conclusion: “We conclude that prescription n-3 FAs (EPA+DHA or EPA-only) at a dose of 4 g/d (>3 g/d total EPA+DHA) are an effective and safe option for reducing triglycerides as monotherapy or as an adjunct to other lipid-lowering agents.”
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31422671/
Conclusion: “fatty acids not extracted from fish, may reduce serum TG and increase HDL-C and LDL-C in persons without coronary heart disease.”
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22113870/
Conclusion: “We provide evidence that LCn-3PUFA supplementation causes a considerable increase in the muscle protein anabolic response to hyperinsulinemia-hyperaminoacidemia in healthy young and middle-aged adults.”
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499967/
Conclusion: “Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in brain cell function by directly maintaining cell membrane fluidity in the central nervous system and by regulating ion channels and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) cascade.”
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8313386/
Conclusion: “Children with ADHD and ASD had low levels of EPA, DHA and AA and high ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs and these correlated significantly with symptoms.”
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27232999/
Conclusion: “…higher omega-3 fatty acid concentrations are related to better brain structure and cognitive function in a predominantly middle-aged cohort free of clinical dementia.”
Link: https://n.neurology.org/content/99/23/e2572
Conclusion: “This systematic review concludes that omega-3 supplementation might have a positive effect on cognitive function. Thus, n-3 LCPUFAs could be used as a preventive or therapeutic tool for cognitive decline in aged or elder adults.”
