Taking a fish oil supplement is a great way to boost your omega 3 fatty acid intake. You can get a good amount of omega 3’s from diet alone, but supplementing helps you get the amount you need to see the best results.
With so many fish oils on the market, how do you know which one to choose? The key is to look for a fish oil from clean, sustainable sources with proper amounts of DHA.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn the benefits of omega 3, what to look for when buying an omega 3 fish oil supplement, and the top products to choose from.
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Benefits of Taking Omega 3 Supplements
As we discussed in previous articles, omega 3 fatty acids are a type of essential polyunsaturated fatty acid with powerful anti-inflammatory abilities. The term “essential” means that the body cannot make them on its own and we need to get them from our diet.
Omega 3’s come with a long list of proven health benefits, including:
- Reduces depression and anxiety
- Improves eye health
- Supports cognitive function and preventing dementia
- Protects against metabolic syndrome, liver disease, and heart disease
- Alleviates ADHD symptoms
- Fights inflammation, autoimmunity, and mental disorders
- Prevents cancer
- Soothes asthma
- Improves bone and joint health
- Gives you healthy hair, skin and nails
- Helps you sleep better
- Relieves menstrual pain
For more benefits with scientific studies, check our article "Top 10 Amazing Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids" to learn more.
What to Look for and Avoid When Buying Omega 3 Supplements?
Not all fish oils are created equally. Some are cheaply made and pumped full of chemicals and other additives to help make them more stable. Because of this, you want to make sure you’re buying a high-quality fish oil that comes from the cleanest sources available.
Besides some common preferences such as no burp, no aftertaste, no fishy smell, no soy, no odor, etc..., here are some other things to keep in mind when buying an omega 3 supplement.
Purity
Look for fish oil has been purified so that it contains no PCBs, heavy metals, or other toxins that accumulate in your tissues and cause inflammation. Make sure your chosen product is tested for mercury, purity and freshness and you’ll have a fish oil supplement you can feel good about.
EPA and DHA ratio
The next thing you want to look for in an omega 3 supplement is EPA and DHA ratio. You want a good amount of both of these with emphasis on DHA, otherwise taking a supplement is useless.
Some cheaper fish oils will try to trick you by using less potent forms of omega 3’s, such as ETA and DPA. Look for fish oil that contains the highest amount of EPA and DHA possible.
Source of EPA and DHA
The form of EPA and DHA is also important. They can either be sourced from phospholipids, which are usually found in krill oil, triglycerides or ethyl esters. Research shows that all of these forms provide some health benefits, but you don’t absorb ethyl esters as well as the other sources (1, 2).
If you can, find a fish oil supplement with free fatty acids because it’s 50 percent higher than those of triglycerides. These are mostly found in omega 3 rich foods, so if you can’t find free fatty acids in a supplement, triglycerides are the next best thing as their absorption rate is 50 percent higher than ethyl esters (3, 4, 5).
Avoid Cheap Fillers
Some fish oils contain cheap filler ingredients that you should be aware of. For example, gelatin is commonly used in fish oil capsules. Sometimes, your fish oil can have an enteric coating, which could be made of harmful toxins. Enteric coatings are also undesirable because they often release the fish oil too early or too late in the digestive process, so you’re not fully absorbing it.
Lastly, enteric coatings can have a cloudy appearance and may be used to hide the smell and taste of a fish oil supplement that is of poor quality. The best way to tell if your fish oil is fresh is to open a capsule and check the smell. If it’s rancid smelling, don’t take it!
Some supplements include coloring in their coatings, which is another way to hide a bad product. Always purchase a fish oil that contains no coloring additives, soy, gluten or dairy in its capsules.
How Much Omega 3 (mg) Do We Need to Consume Per Day?
Research shows that there is no set standard guidelines for how much omega 3 you should take each day. However, most health organizations recommend that healthy adults get at least 250 to 500 mg of EPA and DHA every day (6, 7, 8).
Many different organizations recommend that their patients with coronary heart disease take at least 1,000 mg of omega 3’s per day. Patients with high triglyceride levels might need more (9, 10, 11, 12, 13).
Pregnant women also need more omega 3 fatty acids, according to research. Many studies have found that DHA is especially crucial before, during and after a woman is pregnant (14, 15, 16, 17).
Almost all organizations suggest that pregnant and breastfeeding women get an additional 200 mg of DHA per day (18).
Some even recommend that children get at least 50-100 mg per day (19).
Best Omega-3 Supplement Brands to Choose
We’ve done the research and put together a list of the best omega 3 fatty acid supplements to buy, so you can spend less time searching for the perfect one.
#1. Nordic Naturals
Nordic Naturals has all the right ingredients for the perfect fish oil. It’s third-party tested, which means that it comes from the highest-quality fish possible with no impurities.
It also contains a high triglyceride level for optimal absorption with 1280 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per capsule.
Some fish oils don’t tell you how much EPA and DHA it contains, but Nordic Naturals clearly states that it has 650 mg of EPA and 450 mg of DHA right on the back of its box.
It also comes from wild-caught fish, which means that it is less likely to contain additives and fillers. Here are some pros and cons.
Pros
- Contains 1280 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per capsule, so you only have to take one a day if you want. However, the recommended dose is two capsules a day.
- Comes in triglyceride molecular form for optimal absorption
- Does not contain synthetic fat or ethyl esters
- Has a natural lemon taste
- Sourced from wild-caught fish
- Sustainably sourced, which means that the brand practices ethical methods regarding the environment
- Uses non-GMO ingredients
- Gluten and dairy free
- No added preservatives or colors
- No fishy burps
Cons
- Because this product features a high-quality fish and does not contain any preservatives or additives, you might find that it has a short shelf life or needs to be replaced often. Look for the freshest bottle available to make sure you’re getting the best product.
- Sourced from anchovies and sardines, which isn’t necessarily bad. But some people prefer their fish oil comes from salmon.
Where to buy: Learn more!
#2. Natural Force
Natural Force makes a pure omega 3 fish oil that is mercury-free. It’s a unique product because it comes in liquid form as opposed to capsules.
Liquid forms tend to be easier to digest and more bioavailable because they are better absorbed by the body. This is important because your omega 3 supplement is only effective if you absorb it properly!
The Natural Force Pure Omega 3 supplement features 1,370 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per teaspoon with 590 mg EPA and 450 mg DHA. The fish is sourced from wild-caught Menhaden fish from off the coast of Virginia.
According to the Natural Force, Menhaden fish is a small fish that is lower on the food chain and less likely to accumulate toxins than larger, predatory fish. They are caught using a purse-seine fishing method, which keeps the ocean healthy and does not accidentally capture other marine life.
You can use it in salad dressings and smoothies, or take it as is.
Pros
- Uses rosemary and vitamin E to prevent the oil from going bad
- Third-party tested and approved for purity
- 30 day money-back guarantee
- Sweetened with monk fruit extract
- Contains 1,370 mg of fish oil with 590 mg EPA and 450 mg DHA
- Features wild-caught sustainable fish
- Liquid form might be easier to absorb than capsule form
Cons
- Might have a little aftertaste due to the liquid form
Where to buy: Check Special Deals Here!
#3. Dr. Tobias
Dr. Tobias’ Triple Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil contains 2,000 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per two-capsule serving.
It also contains 800 mg of EPA and 600 mg of DHA, which means that you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.
This product has also been third-party tested and approved, which means that its fish is pure and does not contain harmful toxins or chemicals.
Here are the pros and cons.
Pros
- Good price
- Third-party tested and approved. In other words, this product is free of heavy metals, PCBs, and other toxins.
- Undergoes a molecular distillation process
- Website claims that there is no fishy aftertaste or burp-back
- Higher amounts of omega 3’s, EPA and DHA than other products
- Expiration date, lot number and manufacturing date is clearly printed on the bottom of the bottle so you can check for freshness
- Company offers free access to 25 online health videos free with purchase of one bottle
Cons
- Includes enteric coating, which is needed to help avoid a fishy aftertaste but it’s also easy to hide bad ingredients in.
- Does not come from wild-caught fish
- Contains soy
Where to buy: Learn more!
#4. Nutrigold
Nutrigold’s triple strength Omega 3 Fish Oil is sourced from sustainable wild-caught salmon and provides 2,100 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per serving.
These two factors are huge selling points for this product because it means that it cares about purity, the environment and delivering the highest-quality product available.
This fish oil is five-star certified by the IFOS, which means that it’s as pure and clean as fish oil gets.
It’s also made from non-GMO ingredients and contains an impressive 1,450 mg of EPA per serving (DHA comes in at 550 mg). If you’re looking for the best of the best, this is it, but remember it will cost you.
Pros
- Sourced from sustainable wild-caught salmon
- No enteric coating
- IFOS tested and approved
- No chemicals, preservatives or artificial ingredients
- Features a highly absorbable triglyceride formula
- Free from mercury, heavy metals, PCBs and other toxins
- Contains 1,450 mg of EPA per serving and 550 mg of DHA
- Two capsules contain 2,100 of omega 3 fatty acids per serving in a highly absorbable formula
Cons
- This product tends to be a bit pricey, but remember that you get what you pay for!
- As with other all natural products, you’ll want to pay attention to freshness and manufacturing dates as it will not keep long.
Where to buy: Learn more!
#5. Viva Naturals
Viva Naturals’ Ultra Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil provides a whopping 2,200 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per servings along with 1,400 mg of EPA and 480 mg of DHA.
The serving of DHA isn’t as good as other products, but you’re getting a ton of EPA with this brand in addition to overall omega 3’s. It also comes in a triglyceride formula for optimal absorption.
Plus, it’s sourced from sustainable wild-caught fish. This means that the fish is as pure as nature intended it and the company is invested in the best interest of the environment. All in all, this is a company and a product you can feel good about supporting.
Pros
- Sourced from sustainable and wild-caught fish
- Contains 2,200 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per serving (which is the highest on this list)
- Provides 1,400 mg of EPA (also the highest on this list) and 480 mg of DHA
- Highly absorbable triglyceride formula
- Contains no PCBs, heavy metals, or other toxins
- Uses an extraction method that doesn’t require heat so that the nutrients in the fish oil stay intact
- Five-star IFOS certified
- No fishy odor
- Does not contain artificial colors, additives or preservatives
- Competitively priced compared to other high-quality supplements
Cons
- Sourced from mackerel, sardines and anchovies as opposed to salmon (again, this is not necessarily bad, but some people prefer salmon)
Where to buy: Learn more!
#6. Life & Food
Life & Food’s Omega 3 Supreme’s claim to fame is that it contains over 75 percent of the daily recommended intake of omega 3 fatty acids at 1050 mg per serving, which is superior to other brands. But keep in mind that this list provides a few other brands that contain more than this amount. This fish oil also contains 644 mg of EPA and 336 mg of DHA per serving.
This product undergoes cold extraction, molecular distillation, and filtration, which means that it removes the fishy aftertaste of the oil in addition to the PCBs, toxins and heavy metals while keeping the nutrients of the fish intact. It also comes in an easy to swallow burpless fish oil softgels.
Pros
- Third-party tested and approved
- Contains no PCBs, heavy metals or toxins
- Provides 1050 mg of omega 3 fatty acids with 644 mg of EPA and 336 mg of DHA per serving
- Sourced from sustainable, wild-caught Alaskan Pollock
- Non-GMO
- Contains no artificial flavors, fillers, binders, dairy or gluten
Cons
- Contains enteric coating, which is helpful for removing the fishy aftertaste but means that the brand could be hiding poor quality ingredients
Where to buy: Learn more!
Conclusion
There are a couple of different things you want to keep in mind when buying fish oil. First, it should come from clean and sustainable sources, such as wild-caught fish. Next, you want to make sure that the product has been third-party tested.
This means that it has been removed of all impurities and toxins, such as PCBs and heavy metals. It’s also important to look for a product that contains a high ratio of EPA and DHA. Finally, you want a fish oil that contains triglycerides and not ester ethyls as this is the more absorbable form of omega 3’s.
We put together a list of high-quality fish oils for you to choose from. Although the recommended dose is low (only around 500 mg or so), most people take much higher amounts than this.
For example, two capsules of Viva Naturals’ Ultra Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil provides 2,200 mg of omega 3 fatty acids per servings along with 1,400 mg of EPA and 480 mg of DHA. Remember that you’ll pay more money for a high-quality supplement, so check the manufacturing date to make sure you’re getting the freshest fish oil possible.
If you follow keto diet, don't forget to include one of these fish oils in your keto supplements game plan.
