Corinna Bellizzi, a distinguished figure in the nutrition industry, has spearheaded a remarkable shift towards sustainable health solutions with the launch of ÖRLÖ Nutrition. As a seasoned executive and omega-3 expert, Corinna’s visionary leadership has propelled ÖRLÖ from inception to becoming the world’s foremost provider of carbon-negative algae-based supplements.
Driven by her passion for holistic well-being and environmental stewardship, Corinna established ÖRLÖ in response to the pressing need for ethically-sourced nutrients. Her commitment to promoting a healthier future for both people and the planet is evident in the innovative range of products offered by ÖRLÖ Nutrition.
We wanted to find out more directly from Corinna about this revolutionary brand:
LA’s The Place: Can you elaborate on the science behind ÖRLÖ’s polar lipid form for omega-3s? How does it achieve 3 times faster absorption than traditional fish oil supplements?
Corinna Bellizzi: First things first. Algae provides the original source of the omega-3s EPA and DHA. This means that fish get their omegas from the algae they consume or bioaccumulate from the sea creatures they eat.
Typical omega-3 products are highly processed to remove pollutants that accumulate into their tissues during life, and to concentrate the levels of EPA and DHA in the oil. This method starts with a triglyceride form omega-3 molecule and breaks the individual fatty acids off its glycerol backbone, yielding an ethyl ester (EE). Most concentrated omega-3s are in this inferior, synthetic form. Some companies choose to “re-esterify” their oil to bring back that glycerol back-bone using enzymes. These fats are commonly referred to as re-esterified triglycerides (rTG). Both EE and rTG fatty acids should be considered highly processed, and synthetic. While the body can still absorb these fats, they aren’t in the form that we need, and so are not as easy to integrate into our tissues.
Did you know that 20% of the population may be genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s and heart diseases? That’s roughly how many people have at least 1 representation of the APOE4 allele. One of the risk cofactors for those of this genome type is a more challenging time absorbing omega-3s into their tissues. Active omega-3s in the polar lipid form take the guesswork out, ensuring their bodies are supported with essential omega-3s in an active form they can absorb.
With ÖRLÖ, because we grow our algae in a controlled environment using only the light and nutrients that algae need to thrive, the levels of omega-3 fats are naturally more abundant. Since there are no environmental pollutants to contend with, and since we don’t have to use any pesticides, we don’t need to use harsh processes or industrial chemicals. This ensures that our omega-3s retain their natural polar lipid structure – which is how our bodies integrate omegas into our tissues. This means that the oil is automatically absorbed into our tissues much more quickly – without the fishy reflux or digestive issues.
LATP: What makes Icelandic Ultra Algae (IUA) particularly well-suited for producing highly bioavailable omega-3s?
Corinna: Our unique technology optimizes growing conditions for our algae, activating its natural metabolic pathways, and improving its potency. Because we grow our algae in a controlled, closed system, we don’t have to worry about pest mitigation or infiltration of other competing algae strains. In fact, our growth conditions are so clean and pure, we can minimally process our oil, keeping its natural polar structure for maximum biological impact. Since every cell in your body has a membrane that is made up of polar lipids, these powerful omega-3 fats can seamlessly be integrated into your tissues. Our oil could even be considered a minimally processed nutritional oil, rather than a highly processed one.
LATP: Beyond omega-3s, can you tell us more about your products, present and future?
Corinna: We are about to launch our Icelandic Ultra Spirulina (IUS) functional nutrition line of products. What makes Icelandic Ultra Spirulina so unique comes from our expertise in perfecting growth conditions for unparalleled nutrition content and a superior user experience. Icelandic Ultra Spirulina is unique because it provides:
- The only natural, vegan source of Active B12 (methylcobalamin)
- A natural active iron (Heme Fe2+ ion)
- All essential amino acids
- No smell or taste
IUS is also the ideal carrier for additional nutrients vital to critical body functions. It complements the carefully selected and clinically proven ingredients in our tailor-made formulas, crafted to address immune health, brain performance & focus, as well as women’s health and vitality. Each functional nutrition product tastes exceptional and provides a plethora of side-benefits. Our first product in this line, Immunity Boost is available now, but will soon be re-released in a new fresh Mint flavor.
LATP: How does ÖRLÖ ensure the sustainability of its algae cultivation process while minimizing environmental impact?
Corinna: Our technology platform leverages the clean, natural outputs of one of the world’s largest geothermal plants in Iceland. By harnessing only green energy and using the power-plant’s natural CO2 and hot/cold wastewater streams, we have perfected the growth of algae around the clock, while also sequestering carbon.
Our environmental impacts were even featured in a peer-reviewed study published in the journal, Marine Biotechnology by researchers from Cambridge. Their assessment conservatively referred to our operation as carbon-neutral, while also pointing out that the carbon fixed by our algae during cultivation “is regarded as [carbon] negative, as otherwise it would have been released into the atmosphere” (Tzachor et. al, 2022 p. 996). They even point out that our Icelandic Ultra Spirulina has the potential to replace the nutritional power of beef, meaning that with each 1kg of beef it replaced, ~100 kg (about 220.46 lb) of CO2eq would not be emitted. Since our growing technology uses 99% less land and water resources than beef production, our success also means we are minimizing use of finite natural resources.
Furthermore, by not expending fuel to hunt for fish, nor employing the use of harsh pesticides, solvents, or chemical processes to refine and concentrate our algae, our negative climate impacts are minimized. We leave sensitive marine and freshwater ecosystems completely undisturbed so they can rest and recover.
We’re proud of our success in transforming Iceland into the perfect environment where microalgae can grow abundantly with minimal land and water resources, becoming a truly regenerative source of nutrition with global impact.
LATP: Can you talk about ÖRLÖ’s commitment to carbon-negative production? To sum up some of what we’ve already discussed.
Corinna: We are a global food & climate tech company that has developed a new scientific approach for the sustainable production of microalgae with a meaningful ability to offset CO2 emissions for a greater, more positive impact.
- We have developed a “first of its kind” science-backed and validated methodology that enables carbon avoidance through the nutritional replacement of beef with carbon-neutral Icelandic Ultra Spirulina.
- Our breakthrough technology integrates the use of Icelandic clean energy, a talented team of experts, and skillfully enables the sequestration of carbon while supporting people across the globe to achieve greater food security.
- We have secured a path to turn energy into food with zero negative impact.
LATP: For people who struggle with the taste of fish oil, how can they be confident ÖRLÖ’s Active Omega-3 line will be different?
Corinna: Fishy taste, reflux, or fish burps are the #1 complaint of people who consume fish oil and even algae oil products – because when omega-3s oxidize, they can take on a fishy smell or taste as they begin to degrade. But even fresh fish oil and algae oils can burp-back or repeat on you. This is because the fishy burp comes from how you digest the omega-3 in your upper gastrointestinal tract, beginning with your stomach. With the churning of your stomach juices, aldehyde by-products can be created, which creates a gas that either repeats or comes up as a burp. This is most common in oils that are degraded, but also occurs with ethyl ester or triglyceride form omega-3s.
Because our omegas are in the polar lipid form, they are more easily integrated into your body’s gastric system. They don’t create the aldehyde by-product, and so they don’t burp back on you. Simply put, they aren’t fishy, and they don’t become fishy.
LATP: What are the recommended daily dosages for each of the products in the Active Omega-3 line?
Corinna: Taking just 2 small softgels a day provides daily support for a diet lacking in the omega-3s EPA and DHA. Most Americans (and yes, this includes vegans and vegetarians) consume far too little of these vital and essential omega-3 fats. Typically, our body tissues have less than half of what they need to function optimally (3.5% – 4% of our tissues, when an optimal level has been repeatedly defined as between 8% and 12%.
If you’re curious about your omega-3 tissue levels, check out ORLO’s TESTED BY YOU subscription. When you subscribe to this limited-edition program, you’ll receive a 3rd party laboratory test to verify your levels at the start of your supplementation regime, and again after 4 months of daily use. They’re even covering the cost of your labs – an additional $100 value!
And while our product may look weak when comparing our label to a high potency fish oil, keep in mind that our omegas are 3X better absorbed than fish or other algae oils. Since the “tissue is the issue,” you really are what you absorb. Our Active Omega-3 supplies 260 mg of EPA + DHA, which could be considered an equivalent dosage to 780 mg of EPA + DHA from fish oil – or other non-polar omega-3s (including other algae oils).
Our Active Omega-3 DHA and Prenatal DHA provide 350 mg EPA + DHA, with a greater focus on DHA. This is equivalent in its delivery to 1,050 mg of EPA + DHA from fish or other non-polar omega-3s. This potency is protective of our brain, eyes, central nervous system, and supports a healthy mood. For pregnant or nursing women, their baby’s brain and eye development is also maximally supported.
LATP: ÖRLÖ’s products seem ideal for prenatal and postnatal health. Can you elaborate on the specific benefits for mothers and babies?
Corinna: Common concerns for pregnant and nursing people when it comes to supplementation can be summarized in three buckets: Ease of use, safety and efficacy.
We tackle ease of use by making a product that is small and easy-to-swallow, while also ensuring the absorption is perfected and that there’s no fishy taste, aftertaste, or digestive issues.
As far as safety is concerned, our product is cultivated in a closed, pristine environment using only pure Icelandic water, light, and the nutrients our algae need to thrive. We have literally erased any worries of pollutants, heavy metals and microplastic exposure.
And lastly, they want to be sure the product they’re taking is efficacious. Given our triple absorption rate over non-polar algae oils and fish oils, we’re 100% confident in our product’s efficacy. If this doesn’t provide enough assurance, they can always take part in our Tested By You subscription program and see for themselves how their omega-3 levels stack up today, and how much they’ve improved after 4 months of supplementation.
While not all benefits are easy to feel in the beginning, in a matter of weeks most people notice that their energy is lifted (DHA impacts ATP energy production), skin may seem more lustrous, and hair may seem fuller (DHA affects the growth cycle of hair). Longterm, the benefits will range from mood balance to clearer vision and thinking, and better cardiovascular health markers. Plus, since half of the fat in your brain and eyes is made of DHA, it offers vital support not only for the developing baby, but for the total health of mom/parent-to-be.
LATP: What role do you see ÖRLÖ playing in the future of sustainable and effective nutritional supplements?
Corinna: ÖRLÖ’s success will be seen in the lives we impact. We’re already seeing that people who consume our omega-3 products enjoy a 50%+ increase in their omega-3 index over the course of 4 months. We expect these trends to continue – and we anticipate that with the release of our new Icelandic Ultra Spirulina products — we’ll see a rise in the plant-sourced B12 levels of those who engage with them. Our solutions serve the vegans and vegetarians of today, the flexitarians who want to live better and reduce their carbon footprint, and the omnivores who understand that they can integrate more plant-sourced nutrition into their diets and get an even better health impact than when they consumed more animal products.
We are building a regenerative, future-of-nutrition brand that people can rely on for safe, effective, and resource-mindful solutions that have a true impact – not only for you but for our planet too!
LATP: What advice do you have for people looking to make informed choices about the nutritional supplements they take?
Corinna: Our core recommendations for all people looking to level up their nutrition game can be summed up as follows:
- Remember that it’s not just what you consume, it’s what you absorb. Opt for the most active form of a nutrient whenever possible – or work to get the nutrition you need from food first. Supplements are meant to supplement a healthy diet.
- Watch out for common deficiencies given your diet and lifestyle. Vegans and vegetarians are often deficient in vitamin B12 and iron. Plus, if you spend a bulk of your time indoors, or if you routinely use sunscreen when outdoors, you probably don’t have quite enough vitamin D coursing through your system. Consider supplementation of 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day if that’s the case. Good news – our ORLO’s Immunity Boost covers your bases on both Active B12 and vitamin D3!
- Look for brands that echo your quality and sustainability commitments. These brands are more likely to pay extra care to the consistency of their products and take seriously the promises they make to the people they serve.
- Consider subscription purchases to save cash and time. When you have a product you love that you take routinely, consider subscribing to get routine shipments direct from the company you love. This can save you money and save you time. Many brands that are offered via the amazon platform also have this functionality turned on. You can Subscribe to ORLO products on our website, or via Amazon. It makes your life just a little easier.
Remember that consistency is key. Your health doesn’t change on a dime. If you’ve had unhealthy habits for a while, it can take time to see the positive effects come about. As a for instance, Active Omega-3s can be felt in a few weeks, but attaining the proper cellular balance can take 4 to 6 months – especially if you’ve been under-consuming these essential fats. When in doubt, you can always test your levels to see where you are. Omegaquant offers a 3rd party test for about $50, which can be purchased directly from them, or you can even receive before and after tests at no cost as a part of our Tested By You Limited Edition Program.
More on Corinna Bellizzi
In addition to her groundbreaking work at ÖRLÖ, Corinna is a fervent advocate for social and ecological causes, as showcased in her acclaimed podcasts. “Care More Be Better,” Corinna’s inaugural show, delves into critical issues impacting society and the environment, resonating with a global audience and earning its place among the top 1.5% of podcasts worldwide. Building on this success, Corinna’s latest podcast venture, “Nutrition Without Compromise ,” promises to deliver expert insights and practical advice on maintaining a balanced diet without sacrificing quality or ethics.
Beyond her professional achievements, Corinna’s academic prowess and community engagement underscore her multifaceted contributions. A distinguished alumna of UC Santa Cruz and Santa Clara University, Corinna’s educational background in anthropology and business administration has laid the foundation for her exceptional career trajectory. Recognized as a trailblazer in the MBA landscape, Corinna’s triple focus on Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Marketing has earned her accolades as one of SCU’s “Best & Brightest.”
On a personal note, Corinna’s dedication extends to her roles as a devoted mother, animal advocate, and environmental enthusiast. Balancing her responsibilities with a zest for life, Corinna enjoys exploring the depths of the ocean as a scuba diver and indulging in her love for dark chocolate, hot sauce, and coffee.
In essence, Corinna Bellizzi embodies a rare blend of professional acumen, social consciousness, and personal authenticity, making her a trailblazer in the realm of sustainable nutrition and holistic well-being. Join Corinna on her mission to redefine wellness and nutrition, one algae-based supplement at a time.
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