Short-term bioavailability of EPA and DHA from an algae oil-fortified soymilk compared with algae oil capsules

Although dietary guidelines emphasize consuming foods rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), intakes remain below recommended levels in many populations worldwide. To address this concern, we developed an algae oil-fortified soymilk beverage and assessed its short-term chronic bioavailability compared to algae oil capsules. In a 4-week, open-label, randomized parallel trial, 21 healthy adults consumed either an algae oil-fortified soymilk beverage (200 mg EPA, 320 mg DHA) or a closely matching dose of algae oil-fortified capsules (230 mg EPA, 380 mg DHA) daily. The primary endpoint was the change in red blood cell (RBC) EPA and DHA, with plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) profiles assessed secondarily. Both groups exhibited significantly increased EPA and DHA across all blood compartments over the 4-week intervention. Although the capsule group showed a greater unadjusted increase in RBC and plasma DHA, no significant difference in EPA or DHA accumulation remained after normalizing for dose and compliance. Therefore, fortified soymilk is a well-tolerated delivery vehicle for algae oil which increases RBC EPA and DHA offering a comparable food-based alternative to traditional capsules.