AvailOM Omega 3 Free Fatty Acid Powder

What is Omega-3?

Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are long-chain polyunsaturated fats essential for physical and mental resilience. Both are primarily found in marine sources and are considered critical nutrients for inflammation control, cardiovascular support, brain health, and recovery (1,8,10).

EPA is most renowned for its anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular properties, while DHA plays a more structural role, particularly in the brain, eyes, and mitochondria, supporting mental clarity, visual acuity, and cellular resilience (1,5,8). Together, they provide complementary benefits for those pushing their body and mind.

Version 3 of Optiventure now focuses specifically on high-EPA omega-3 support in the Sunset formula, prioritising recovery, inflammation management, and overnight adaptation after physically demanding days outdoors. Note that this fish oil is not vegan or vegetarian-friendly.

Why Do Outdoor Adventurers Need EPA?

Whether you're battling altitude, elevation gain, long days under load, or exposure to the elements, EPA omega-3 provides targeted support for recovery and resilience during demanding outdoor pursuits.

Research has shown EPA-rich omega-3 supplementation may support:

• Anti-inflammatory action for sore joints and muscles (3,8,12)
  

• Recovery and adaptation following strenuous exercise (9,10)
  

• Cardiovascular support during prolonged exertion (2,9)

• Mood balance and mental resilience under fatigue and stress (4,13)

• Reduction of oxidative stress associated with endurance activity (1,5)

While DHA is traditionally associated with structural brain and eye health, EPA is particularly valuable in situations involving inflammation, physical recovery, and systemic stress, making an EPA-focused omega-3 blend an ideal fit for the evening recovery-focused Sunset formula.

Dietary Sources of Omega-3

• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, tuna)

• Fish oil supplements (in triglyceride or ethyl ester form)
  

• Algal oil (typically DHA-focused and suitable for vegans)

Most people, especially those undertaking multi-day hikes or endurance activities, do not consume fish regularly enough to obtain optimal omega-3 intake from food alone. Supplementation is often the most practical option, although absorption varies significantly depending on the formulation used.

What’s the Best Form of Omega-3 For Hikers?

Not all omega-3s are equal. Here’s how the forms compare:

• Ethyl ester (EE): Cheap and shelf-stable, but poorly absorbed and more susceptible to oxidation (2,14). Its absorption is highly dependent on dietary fat intake.

• Triglyceride (TG): More natural and better absorbed than EE, but still dependent on fat and digestive enzymes for efficient uptake (2,14).

• FFA Lysine Salt (AvailOm®): Free-fatty-acid omega-3 bound to lysine — designed for superior bioavailability, stability, and absorption even under low-fat conditions (1,2).

Clinical studies show AvailOm® delivers up to 8 times higher EPA/DHA absorption than EE forms and approximately 1.5–2 times higher absorption than TG forms within 24 hours (2). More broadly, free-fatty-acid omega-3 forms have demonstrated 4–6 times greater bioavailability than EE forms under low-fat dietary conditions, making them particularly effective for outdoor adventurers who may not always consume large or high-fat meals while hiking (17,18).

Optiventure uses:

AvailOm® High EPA FFA Lysine Salt (Sunset tablet) – a highly bioavailable, shelf-stable omega-3 delivering a minimum of 120mg EPA and 60mg DHA per 400mg dose, designed specifically for evening recovery support. By consolidating omega-3 into the PM formula only, Optiventure prioritises recovery timing while simplifying the system and increasing the overall active EPA dose.

Unlike many conventional fish oil capsules, AvailOm® does not require a high-fat meal for efficient absorption, making it significantly more practical in real-world outdoor conditions where meal quality and timing are inconsistent.

Note that when buying omega-3 supplements, the “1000 mg fish oil” listed on the label does not mean you are receiving 1000 mg of active EPA and DHA. A standard 1000 mg fish oil capsule typically provides only around 300 mg combined EPA + DHA, with the remaining weight consisting of other fats naturally present in fish oil (8).

Key Information About EPA Omega-3

Deficiency Stats

Modern diets are notoriously low in EPA and DHA.

• Up to 90% of Australians and 74% of Europeans fall short of recommended omega-3 intake (8,9)

• Our bodies convert less than 8% of ALA into EPA, and even less into DHA (6)

• Nutrient deficiencies, including zinc, B-vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin C can further impair this conversion (5)

Minimum Recommended Intakes (combined EPA + DHA):

• Women: 90 mg/day

• Men: 160 mg/day

The upper safety limit is generally considered 3,000 mg daily (8), although multiple studies have found no harmful effects at intakes up to 5,000 mg per day (9).

Why Optiventure Uses 400 mg AvailOm® High EPA FFA Lysine Salt

Optiventure delivers 400mg of highly bioavailable AvailOm® High EPA FFA Lysine Salt in the Sunset formula, providing a minimum of 120mg EPA and 60mg DHA in a form designed for efficient absorption and targeted overnight recovery support for outdoor adventurers.

This upgraded EPA-focused dose was selected to support:

• Inflammation and joint recovery following long days on trail (3,12)

• Exercise recovery and adaptation (9,10)
  

• Cardiovascular and oxidative stress protection during endurance activity (2,5,9)
  

• Mood resilience and mental recovery under fatigue (4,13)

• Fast and efficient delivery of EPA and DHA from the FFA lysine form (2)
  

• A shelf-stable, practical omega-3 solution that performs reliably without refrigeration or high-fat meals

By using a highly bioavailable FFA lysine omega-3 form rather than standard fish oil softgels, Optiventure delivers meaningful EPA and DHA support in a lightweight, trail-ready format designed specifically for real-world outdoor use.

References

1. Evonik Industries AG. (n.d.). AvailOm® 50 High EPA omega-3 powder: high-load, fish-oil based FFA lysine salt. Evonik. Retrieved July 23, 2025, from company website.

2. Schön, C., Micka, A., Gourineni, V., & Bosi, R. (2024). Superior bioavailability of EPA and DHA from a L-lysine salt formulation: A randomized, three-way crossover study. Food & Nutrition Research, 68, Article 11028. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v68.11028

3. Ramprasath, V. R., Eyal, I., Zchut, S., & Jones, P. J. H. (2013). Algal oil is similar to fish oil in increasing omega-3 index in healthy individuals. Journal of Functional Foods, 5(1), 174–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2012.08.016

4. Grosso, G., Pajak, A., Marventano, S., Castellano, S., Galvano, F., Bucolo, C., … Caraci, F. (2014). Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of depressive disorders: A comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. PLoS ONE, 9(5), e96905. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0096905

5. EElgar, K. (2022). EPA/DHA: A review of clinical use and efficacy. Nutritional Medicine Journal, 2(2), 95–130.

6. Burdge, G. (2004). Alpha-linolenic acid metabolism in men and women: Nutritional and biological implications. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 7(2), 137–144. https://doi.org/10.1097/00075197-200403000-00006

7. Heart Foundation. (n.d.). Omega-3 & omega-6 and heart health. Heart Foundation.

8. Choice. (n.d.). Omega-3 supplements. Choice.

9. Thielecke, F., & Blannin, A. (2020). Omega-3 fatty acids for sport performance—Are they equally beneficial for athletes and amateurs? Nutrients, 12(12), 3712. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123712

10. Tomczyk, M., Heileson, J. L., Babiarz, M., & Calder, P. C. (2023). Athletes can benefit from increased intake of EPA and DHA—Evaluating the evidence. Nutrients, 15(23), 4925. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234925

11. Calder, P. C. (2018). Very long-chain n-3 fatty acids and human health: Fact, fiction, and the future. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 77(1), 52–72. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665117003950

12. Abdulrazaq, M., Innes, J. K., & Calder, P. C. (2017). Effect of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on arthritic pain: A systematic review. Nutrition, 39–40, 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2016.12.018

13. Grosso, G., Pajak, A., Marventano, S., Castellano, S., Galvano, F., Bucolo, C., … Caraci, F. (2014). Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of depressive disorders: A comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. PLoS ONE, 9(5), e96905. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0096905

14. Mörlein, D., Myrcka, A., & Smith, R. (2015). Oxidation rates of triacylglycerol and ethyl ester fish oils. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 92(5), 513–523. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-015-2612-9

15. Dempsey, M., Rockwell, M. S., & Wentz, L. M. (2023). The influence of dietary and supplemental omega-3 fatty acids on the omega-3 index: A scoping review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, 1072653. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1072653

16. Maki, K. C., Orloff, D. G., Nicholls, S. J., Dunbar, R. L., Roth, E. M., Curcio, D., ... & Davidson, M. H. (2013). A highly bioavailable omega-3 free fatty acid formulation improves the omega-3 index in hypertriglyceridemic subjects: The ECLIPSE II study. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 89(5), 195–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plefa.2013.08.004

17. Mohamed, M. I., Golovko, S. A., Golovko, M. Y., Mehra, M., & Hamazaki, K. (2024). Superior bioavailability of EPA and DHA from free fatty acid-based omega-3 in comparison to ethyl ester and triglyceride forms: A randomized crossover trial. Nutrients, 16(6), 1222. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16061222