When it comes to rocking one of the best vegan omegas ever, Calgee Vegan Omega-3 is the jam. A 100% sustainable plant-based algae with 85% more EPA & DHA than fish oil.
As a vegan biohacker and athlete for over 40 years, I’m always on the lookout for the very best supplements I can find, and when I nail one—some I’ve been rocking for decades—I’m typically hooked, and especially when I see results.
That being said, in the United States alone, diets high in plant-based foods and vegan alternatives have consistently shown stellar results when it comes to health, sustainability, and chronic disease.
And while it was once considered ideal—though nowadays not so much—to consume aquatic wildlife such as salmon, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines for essential fatty acids, that assessment is increasingly called into question in light of accelerating toxic chemicals in our oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams, which, unsurprisingly, infiltrate the cells of living species, including humans.
Even factory farmed fish these days harbor pesticides, antibiotics, and PCBs, and that’s in addition to microplastics, dioxins, and forever chemicals (PFAs).
According to one report, “Industrial aquaculture has intensified the depletion of our ocean resources, added new threats to our marine ecosystem and wildlife, and created new risks to human health and the environment.”
On top of that, there’s little argument regarding the contamination of fish with heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead, and even less supporting any contention that algae are inferior.
In fact according to PubMed, “Global fish stocks are declining and cannot provide a sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acids. A comparison shows that microalgae can reach much higher EPA and DHA contents and productivities compared with other possible sources.” (See article for chart.)
Which brings me to the gist of this take on Calgee, an Earth-friendly, sustainable brand.
Here’s why I’m impressed:
Calgee Vegan Omega-3
There are many vegan omega-3 supplements to choose from these days, but in my opinion, Calgee rocks.
I’ve been taking the gels for months now and was quickly impressed by not only how fresh they are—yes, I inspect my supplements when pulling them out (I even sniff them)—but also how smooth they are going down. I haven’t once gotten queasy when taking them on an empty stomach.
I also noticed that warm happy bump of energy you get from a high-quality omega-3, and I’m beyond overjoyed with this company’s ethics.
For instance Calgee is not only Earth-friendly, climate neutral, and cruelty-free, their packaging is recyclable, carbon negative, and bioPE, made from plant-based sugarcane in a delightfully vibrant pouch.
They also pack a whopping 450 milligrams of sustainably sourced EPA and DHA in every serving, and on top of that, they’re conscientious:
- Certified vegan.
- Gluten-free.
- Carbon-negative.
- Carrageenan-free.
- Climate-neutral.
- Non-GMO.
- Third-party tested.
- Recyclable materials.
- Made in the USA.
In addition, they’re a 1% For the Planet brand, meaning 1% of their annual sales goes toward supporting the environment. They’re also proponents of fair pay, social justice, and workplace equity, with commitments to higher values across the board.
And when it comes to their ingredient list, you’ll find no allergens like corn, soy, nuts, carrageenan, or gluten. They even use rosemary oil—a powerhouse bioactive.
It’s also nice to know they produce their algae right here in the USA, in a protected environment with no harm to the ecosystem. Not to mention their supplements rock 85% more EPA & DHA per serving than standard fish oil.
And if you’re still not convinced that vegan omegas are dope, here’s what Dr. Michael Greger has to say:
“Fish oil, even purified (“distilled”) fish oil, has been found to be contaminated with PCBs and other pollutants. The concentration of dioxin-like pollutants in fish oil is so high that when taken as directed, salmon, herring, and tuna oils can cause the average person’s overall daily intake to exceed the tolerable limit of toxicity. This may help explain the studies that found adverse effects of fish consumption on cognitive function in adults and children.
Thankfully, you can get the benefits without the risks by getting long-chain omega-3s from algae instead, which is where the fish primarily get it from to begin with. By getting EPA and DHA directly from the source at the bottom of the food chain, you don’t have to worry about pollutant contamination. In fact, the algae used for supplements are just grown in tanks and never even come in contact with the ocean.”
In fact algae are not only cleaner, they “don’t require an organic carbon source and hence may avoid the problems faced for heterotrophic cultures that can easily get contaminated with other microorganisms.”
The Calgee Story
Calgee was founded by Prateek Agarwal and his wife, Shreya, in 2020 after the two experienced health challenges with cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk.
After boosting exercise, diet, and eschewing fish oil supplements suggested by their doctor—they’re vegetarian—they came across the benefits of algae instead.
According to Prateek, “What sets our business apart and makes us truly unique is the integration of sustainability into every aspect of our product, packaging, and business practices. We firmly believe that companies are responsible for prioritizing environmental stewardship and contributing to a more sustainable future.”
You can learn more about them here or at Entrepreneur.org.
Get Calgee Omega-3 supplements here.
Calgee Vegan Omega-3 Benefits
The research on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is not only voluminous, studies show that the majority of folks can benefit highly from taking a supplement. In fact 95% of the American population is deficient in EPA and DHA, with 80% of the global population falling short.
Which is scarcely heartening when studies also show that deficiency can shorten lifespan.
But in case you’re wondering . . .
What Exactly Are Essential Fatty Acids?
Omega-fatty acids are bioactive polyunsaturated fat compounds found in plants, algae, and marine animals. They include omega-6 linoleic acid, omega-3 α-linolenic acid (ALA), and the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, otherwise known as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively.
Nutritionally, EPA and DHA are powerhouses. They curb inflammation, support the functionality of cell membranes, promote protein synthesis, and modulate blood sugar. And that’s in addition to offsetting senescence and disuse atrophy in underactive adults.
According to one report, “Omega-3s, when incorporated into muscle tissue, not only help to mitigate muscle mass loss during disuse but also accelerate recovery, enhancing protein synthesis.” In seniors they curb anabolic resistance, a contributor to sarcopenia.
They also reduce heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, arthritis, asthma, and strokes. They’ve been shown to lower the risk of myocardial infarction, thrombosis, arrhythmias, and autism in children. In addition, they “stimulate collagen synthesis in skin supporting tissue regeneration and wrinkle reduction.”
However, here in the US studies show that most folks have an omega-3 index of less than 5%, while an optimal 8% or more can increase lifespan by five years.
Another way of looking at it is that smokers with a high omega-3 index have the same life expectancy as nonsmokers with a low omega-3 index, according to Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
Benefits of Omega-3
- Reduced inflammation.
- Reduced cardiovascular disease.
- Lifespan extension.
- Decreased oxidative stress.
- Healthier bones.
- Healthier hair, nails, and skin.
- Better vision.
- Enhanced mitochondria.
- Healthier cell membranes.
- Boosted cognition.
- Improved athletic performance.
- Increased insulin sensitivity.
- Mitigation of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
- Reduced heart attacks and strokes.
- Healthier blood pressure.
- Optimized heartrate.
- Improved cholesterol.
- Smoother arterial function.
- Mitigation of autoimmune disease.
- Atherosclerosis prevention.
- Improved mental health.
- Better heart health.
- Healthier biome.
How Much Omega-3 Should You Take?
A baseline adult dose of DHA/EPA is between 1.1–1.6 grams, with some experts taking between 2000-5000 grams daily. However studies show that 1.75 to 2.5 grams a day of supplemental omega-3 can bring people from a 4% to 8% index and higher.
Can Children Take Omega-3?
Children and adolescents across the board can generally benefit from omega-3 supplementation. Daily dosages from 120–1300 mg of DHA/EPA are beneficial for most, with some experts suggesting 2000 mgs for healthy kids ages four to twelve.
Discuss your child’s dosage with your pediatrician. Even infants and toddlers need adequate omega-3s.
Online Omega-3 Index Test
Dr. Bill Harris is a world-renowned expert on omega fatty acids. Visit his website at omegaquaint.com for resources, index tests, and more.
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The medical and health topics covered on the Plate of Grass website and blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to prevent or cure any disease. This article and its content is presented ‘as is’ for informational purposes only.
