Well known, widely used, but until recently rarely taken seriously as part of the work that separates podium finishes from just missing out. With stronger evidence, larger studies and a more mature approach to recovery and load management, omega-3 has entered a new league. Not as a miracle cure, but as part of systematic performance work aimed at delivering at the highest level – week after week, season after season. And when injuries occur, as they inevitably do in professional football, to support faster recovery.
Noticeable impact on performance
For several years, various stakeholders have worked with measuring fatty acid balance in the blood to gain a more precise understanding of the body’s baseline condition. At the time, scientific consensus was not strong enough for the method to gain widespread traction in elite sport. That has now changed.
With newer and more substantial evidence, it now makes sense to work actively with fatty acid profiles and adjustments over time. Not because the measurements themselves directly win matches, but because they contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how the body and brain are built and function at a cellular level.
This was an approach Zinzino pursued even before the evidence fully matured, working with several elite athletes – including Emil Krafth. Today, that early validation is in place, and the method is increasingly used among elite performers. Krafth, who is part of a commercial collaboration with the supplement company, experienced a clear improvement in his performance after adopting a more systematic approach to this area – with significant success.
Increased pressure drives new demands
In modern elite football, the challenge is rarely performing once. The real challenge is repeating it. Matches come thick and fast, intensity is high, and recovery time is limited. This applies across top leagues – from the Danish Superliga to La Liga. In that reality, availability is no longer a coincidence, but the result of deliberate and structured work.
This is where omega-3 comes into play, supporting the body’s ability to manage inflammation, maintain circulation, and ensure optimal function of the brain and nervous system under constant load. It is not spectacular or rocket science, but it reflects a broader shift in elite sport, where marginal gains can be decisive.
Little room for rest increases the need for smarter solutions
At the top level, managing the body is not optional – it is part of the job. Emil Krafth has played in some of the world’s toughest leagues, where tempo is relentless, physical demands uncompromising, and breaks are rare.
As part of his collaboration with Zinzino, the Swedish defender has spoken about his first fatty acid balance test – and the reaction was clear.
– I was shocked. I had no idea it was that bad. After using Zinzino’s products for a period, I took the test again, and the results were significantly better, Krafth said in an interview published by Zinzino.
Persistent rumours of a move to FC Copenhagen
Availability is particularly relevant in Krafth’s current situation. The 31-year-old Swede is sidelined with a knee injury, and his future remains uncertain, despite being under contract with Newcastle United until the summer. That contract situation could motivate Newcastle to cash in, although this remains speculative.
Nevertheless, Krafth has been linked with one of Scandinavia’s strongest clubs, FC Copenhagen. A rumour commented on – and partly dismissed – by his agent Patrick Mörk via Swedish media Fotbolldirekt, but one that continues to circulate and was recently mentioned by danish sports newspaper Tipsbladet.
Krafth is in his seventh season with Newcastle United, but his return from injury, initially expected in late December, has been shot down by Newcastles head coach Eddie Howe. He question remains, before we return to Krafth's experiences with increased focus on fatty acid balance, whether we see Krafth playing in either the PL for Newcastle or perhaps in the Danish Superliga for FC Copenhagen in the new year.
Daily routines, tangible difference
After adjusting his daily routine, Krafth noticed a clear difference in everyday life.
“It’s easier to wake up in the morning and get out of bed. I also have much more energy throughout the day. I’m simply not as tired as I used to be,” the Swedish international explained.
In collaboration with the supplement company, Krafth works continuously on his nutritional foundation as part of his daily performance setup. Omega-3, vitamins and other micronutrients are used to support recovery and manage long-term load. For Krafth, omega-3 is not about short-term effects, but about coping with sustained demands – and above all, staying available.
Omega-3 deficiency does not surprise expert
Pharmacist and lecturer from Denmark, Helle Egebjerg Andersen, one of the experts working with Zinzino’s omega-3 tests, strongly recommends monitoring omega-3 levels for anyone aiming to perform at their peak. She is not surprised that Emil Krafth showed a deficiency – a pattern she sees among both elite athletes and the general population.
- Omega-3 contributes to normal function of both the brain and the heart. If you want to perform at the highest level as a professional footballer, it is crucial that neither is lacking essential nutrients.
Andersen, who has a background at the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and has researched alternative treatments and test-based health with a focus on the brain, adds that testing vitamin D levels – important for muscles, bones and the immune system – can be equally eye-opening.
A simple finger prick and a few drops of blood give you clarity. From there, you can choose omega-3 supplements or simply eat more herring and mackerel – either way helping you reach recommended levels.”
No longer an area that can be ignored
Omega-3 has not become relevant because it is new, but because elite football increasingly focuses on everything that happens between matches. When availability is treated as a discipline in its own right, it makes sense that fatty acid balance and nutrition become part of the conversation. For players like Emil Krafth, the results can feel almost transformative. Read the interview with Emil Krafth fra Zinzino.
Sources: Zinzino.com, Fotbolldirekt.se, Tipsbladet.dk
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