Known as AkoVita OptiSyn™, the combination of omega-3 DHA and phosphatidylcholine at a proprietary ratio was officially launched at the Growth Asia Summit 2025.
As compared to regular DHA, the company said that preclinical study has shown that the blend could increase the uptake of DHA into where it is needed to be biologically active - which is the cell membrane in this case.
This would in turn better support specific health needs, such as tackling low-grade inflammation - which the company said was crucial when addressing metabolic syndrome such as obesity, as well as for supporting the immune system.
Citing existing human trials findings, the company pointed out that omega-3 DHA supplementation could support metabolic health in several ways.
An example is by reducing the production of inflammatory markers, as well as boosting insulin sensitivity, and inhibiting fat accumulation.
“When you talk about metabolic disorders, usually the first thing that comes to mind is obesity and weight loss.
“However, consumers who are overweight and obese usually also suffer from chronic inflammation, and when you work on addressing inflammation, it becomes easier to support weight loss and overall health and wellbeing is improved,“ Isabela Prado, Commercial Product Manager, Special Nutrition at AAK Netherlands BV said.
Research
Based on preclinical findings, Prado said that supplementation of AkoVita OptiSyn has shown to increase the uptake of DHA in cell membranes by 150% when compared to taking regular DHA.
“To support metabolic and immune health, you will need DHA to be delivered into the cell membranes.
“And what we’ve found in our first preclinical study is that when you are comparing the uptake of regular DHA oil with the AkoVita OptiSyn solution, AkoVita OptiSyn provides 150% more DHA in the cell membranes,” said Prado.
The increase in DHA uptake in cell membrane could be due to the presence of phosphatidylcholine, which plays a role in DHA digestion, uptake, transport, and function.
The next phase of research will involve mice study where the researchers will identify the blood biomarkers in which AkoVita OptiSyn could have an effect on.
The subsequent plan is to validate these findings in human clinical trials.
The company also hopes to find out if there are other health benefits that AkoVita OptiSyn could bring about through further research, she added.
Addressing Asia’s metabolic syndrome needs
The launch officially took place in Singapore as the company believes that AkoVita OptiSyn is highly relevant to Asia’s metabolic health needs.
“Metabolic health is a big topic in Asia and diabetes is a big concern here. That’s why we are launching AkoVita OptiSyn here first in Asia,” said Job van Rozendaal, Head of Special Nutrition, AAK Netherlands B.V.
In China for instance, the government has launched a three-year weight management plan which has fuelled industry interest in weight management solutions, particularly in the use of Akkermansia muciniphila, while in India, PM Narendra Modi has called for national reduction in oil intake to curb obesity.
Product differentiation: DHA in functional foods
The company added that the new blend could be applied to functional foods - and this could serve as a point of product differentiation in a sea of DHA and omega-3 dietary supplements.
At the show, the company showcased an oat-based chocolate drink and an enteral drink containing AkoVita OptiSyn.
“Today, what’s commonly found on the market are supplements, capsules, jellies, or gummies.
“But we also have some market data showing that consumers are really interested in buying functional foods, because they can introduce it to their daily routine, instead of taking more supplements and this is an unmet need, this is why we came up with this specific proposition,” said Prado.
Citing FMCG Gurus’ Global Consumer Health Data, 2023, which collected 8,000 responses, the company pointed out that 47% of respondents would turn to functional and fortified food, 39% to functional and fortified drink, and 24% to nutritional supplements to boost their health.
AAK’s major portfolio is in providing high quality vegetable oils and fats for food products ranging from chocolate to bakery and confectionery.
AkoVita OptiSyn sits in AAK’s specialized nutrition division which also includes infant nutrition and medical nutrition.
“Besides infant nutrition or medical nutrition, AkoVita OptiSyn is a concept that can be used in functional foods - which is a big category here in Asia.
“We have a significant business in medical nutrition and we want to make the next step to also include the functional food category by leveraging the expertise that we have in infant and medical nutrition,” said van Rozendaal.
The company believes that its expertise in dairy and food applications would stand it in good stead when developing differentiated functional food products for brand partners.
“We work across a lot of different industries, in dairy applications, in other food applications, and here, we also see an opportunity to combine our expertise in lipids with the co-development approach.
“AkoVita OptiSyn in food application can support our customers in making differentiated products for their markets,” added Nikesh Hindocha, AAK SEA Regional Director.
