Ahiflower Oil
Buglossoides arvensis
TL;DR
A plant-based omega-3 oil from Buglossoides arvensis whose SDA content converts to EPA in the body several times more efficiently than the ALA in flax or chia.
Ideal For
- Vegans and vegetarians who want real EPA conversion
- People who dislike fish oil aftertaste or reflux
- Those seeking combined ALA/SDA/GLA coverage in one oil
Avoid If
- You need DHA specifically (pair with algae oil)
- You are on high-dose anticoagulants without medical guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
Ahiflower oil is pressed from the seeds of Buglossoides arvensis, a UK-bred crop, and is notable for containing stearidonic acid (SDA, roughly 18-20%) alongside a high alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) fraction and a meaningful dose of GLA. SDA bypasses the rate-limiting delta-6-desaturase step, so human trials show ahiflower raises circulating EPA 3-4x more effectively than an equivalent ALA dose from flaxseed oil. That makes it one of the few genuinely compelling vegan EPA sources, though it does not raise DHA. Positioning: a fish-oil alternative for plant-based eaters who want real EPA status rather than theoretical conversion.
How It Works
- SDA converts to EPA without the delta-6-desaturase bottleneck that limits flax and chia
- Raises plasma and cell-membrane EPA, substrate for anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and resolvins
- GLA fraction converts to DGLA, precursor of the anti-inflammatory series-1 prostaglandin PGE1
- Does not meaningfully raise DHA, which requires separate algae-oil supplementation
Benefits & Outcomes
No linked outcomes yet. Research is ongoing.
Supporting Research9 studies
Consumption of Buglossoides arvensis seed oil is safe and increases tissue long-chain n-3 fatty acid content more than flax seed oil: results of a phase I randomised clinical trial
Lefort N, LeBlanc R, Giroux MA +1 more
Ahiflower oil raised EPA and total long-chain n-3 content more than flaxseed oil over 28 days, with no adverse safety signals, but did not raise DHA.
Dietary Buglossoides arvensis oil increases circulating n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in a dose-dependent manner and enhances lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood interleukin-10: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Lefort N, LeBlanc R, Surette ME
Circulating n-3 fatty acids rose dose-dependently and LPS-stimulated whole blood interleukin-10 production increased in healthy adults.
Stearidonic acid improves eicosapentaenoic acid status: studies in humans and cultured hepatocytes
Seidel U, Eberhardt K, Wiebel M +7 more
The consumption of ahiflower oil improves the circulating levels of EPA and EPA-derived oxylipins in humans.
Dietary intake of stearidonic acid-enriched soybean oil increases the omega-3 index: randomized, double-blind clinical study of efficacy and safety
Lemke SL, Vicini JL, Su H +4 more
SDA-enriched soybean oil increased the omega-3 index by raising erythrocyte EPA concentrations.
Consumption of echium oil increases EPA and DPA in blood fractions more efficiently compared to linseed oil in humans
Kuhnt K, Weiss S, Kiehntopf M +1 more
Daily intake of SDA-containing EO is a better supplement than LO for increasing EPA and DPA in blood. However, neither EO nor LO maintained blood DHA status in the absence of fish/seafood consumption.
Consumption of stearidonic acid-rich oil in foods increases red blood cell eicosapentaenoic acid
Lemke SL, Maki KC, Hughes G +6 more
Consumption of stearidonic acid-enriched soybean oil incorporated into common foods increased RBC %EPA in healthy men and women.
Stearidonic acid-enriched soybean oil increased the omega-3 index, an emerging cardiovascular risk marker
Harris WS, Lemke SL, Hansen SN +7 more
Compared to baseline, average omega-3 index levels increased 19.5% in the SDA group and 25.4% in the EPA group (p<0.05 for both, vs. control). DHA did not change in any group.
Stearidonic acid as a supplemental source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to enhance status for improved human health
Walker CG, Jebb SA, Calder PC
This review discusses the currently available evidence that increased SDA consumption can increase red blood cell EPA content, although this is less than the effect of supplementation directly with EPA.
Effects of dietary stearidonic acid on biomarkers of lipid metabolism
Whelan J, Gouffon J, Zhao Y
Supplementing SDA at doses of 3.7-4.2 g/d, of which the bioequivalence to EPA is <=1 g/d, had little impact on modifying circulating TG and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol.
Safety Information
Potential Side Effects
Generally well tolerated; occasional mild GI upset or loose stools at higher doses.
Drug Interactions
- anticoagulants
- antiplatelet drugs
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: insufficient_data
Breastfeeding: insufficient_data
Dosage Guidelines
Dosage Used in Studies
Consult healthcare provider
Forms Compared
Food & Timing
With meals containing fat
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.
Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.