Healthy ageing in China: Rising demand for omega-3 targeted at blood, heart, and brain health – GNC

This is according to GNC China, which identified three groups that would benefit from omega-3 supplements – young working adults, middle-aged workers, and seniors above 60 who require geriatric care.

“The silver economy in China is thriving. Based on China’s National Bureau of Statistics, 21.1% of the country’s population was aged 60 and above in 2023, up from 19.8% in 2022. The growing ageing population is creating more market opportunities for products that meet the needs of senior consumers,” ​said supply chain director for GNC China, Anson Cao.

Meeting the needs of consumers in their 30s to 60s​

Cao highlighted the key needs of the various age groups at our Growth Asia Summit, held in Singapore from 16 to 18 July.

Young working professionals in their 30s need mood stabilisers and solutions for fighting fatigue.

Middle-aged workers would benefit from supplements that lower blood fat and enhance memory.

As for seniors aged 60 and above who may require geriatric care, the priority is the protect heart health.

These health concerns are all related to heart and blood health. For example, better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients reach the brain, which can enhance cognitive functions like memory and concentration.

Additionally, chronic inflammation of the heart and brain is linked to mood disorders, memory problems, and fatigue. This is due to the inability of heart and brain cells to self-renew as readily as those for the skin.

Chronic inflammation breaks down critical pathways in the brain and causes injury to brain tissue which accumulates with time, disrupting normal function and leading to cognitive impairment and fatigue.

To lower blood lipids and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, healthy adults should meet a daily intake of at least 500mg EPA+DHA. This is according to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED).

For pregnant or breastfeeding women, 700–1000mg daily is recommended, while those with high blood pressure or hyperlipidemia should aim for over 1000mg daily.

By now, Chinese consumers are well versed with the health benefits of omega-3, which include boosting eye, skin, and cardiovascular health. It also provides mood and memory support and is beneficial for bones, joints and muscles.

Going beyond health benefits, the firm observed that Chinese consumers are increasingly discerning about product quality. There is a preference for higher purity and bioavailability, which indicate greater efficacy.

Cao also emphasised the need for ease of consumption to increase compliance for better efficacy.

Increasing efficacy and compliance​

Fish oil supplements are a major source of omega-3. Those in the re-esterified triglycerides (rTG) form are said to be more effective compared to the ethyl esters (EE) one.

This is because rTG closely resembles the natural structure of omega-3s found in fish, which can be absorbed easier by the body. EE, on the other hand, is a modified form of omega-3 that, while effective, is generally absorbed less efficiently than rTGs.

“Triglycerides make up the natural structure of fish oil, while EE needs to be converted to triglycerides in the stomach before absorption. rTG fish oil is therefore three times more absorbable [than EE],”​ said Cao.

To ensure that consumers get the best out of fish oil supplements, there are three requirements.

First, the capsules should not be big such that it hinders swallowing.

Second, capsules should be single sealed for safety and hygiene purposes. A single seal capsule refers to a soft gel capsule that is sealed in one layer or process, rather than using multiple layers or an extra protective coating. This encloses the ingredients properly and keeps the contents intact and fresh, preserving the potency of the supplement.

Lastly, foldable, food-grade packaging will make it easier to pack or bring around. The perforations or pre-scored lines will ensure that the packaging folds cleanly without tearing. This also makes it convenient for separating doses while maintaining the integrity of the remaining capsules.

To meet the rising need for healthy ageing solutions in China, GNC recently launched its “one-stop heart and blood solution” – a three-in-one product that contains EPA, algae DHA, and CoQ10.

Algae is increasingly provided as a vegan or vegetarian alternative for fish oil supplements, while CoQ10 is known to be an antioxidant that fights free radicals in the body.

The firm is also known for its 97% high purity fish oil​.