Best Fish Oil Supplement

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to our bodies, aiding in cell growth and muscle function. Since our bodies don’t make omega-3s, we must source them from foods like fatty fishes, nuts, and vegetable oils. There are two omega-3s, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, commonly found in these foods. However, you can also find these fatty acids in fish oil supplements.

Available in liquid, capsule, and pill form, fish oil supplements can be especially beneficial for some people, like those who don’t eat seafood, because it offers a way to get the necessary nutrients found in fish. Some studies suggest fish oil can reduce blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Plus, its anti-inflammatory properties are helpful for anyone who suffers from joint pain.

In this article, we’ll share the advantages of taking fish oil supplements, as well as who will benefit the most from adding them to their diet. We’ll also break down a few things to look for when shopping for a fish oil supplement so you can easily choose the best one for you.

Best Fish Oil Supplements

1. Best Fish Oil Supplement Overall: Nordic Naturals’ Ultimate Omega

The Ultimate Omega is Nordic Naturals’ most popular concentrate and is recommended by doctors worldwide. It’s also racked up more than 10 industry awards including Delicious Living’s Best Omega-3, and is widely available at various drug stores like Rite Aid and CVS.

Supporting heart, brain, and overall wellness, the Ultimate Omega is great for anyone looking for a high-quality, environment-friendly product. Made exclusively from wild-caught sardines and anchovies, it’s non-GMO and has passed strict standards for purity and freshness. It’s also Friend of the Sea- (FOS) certified and made sustainably in a zero-waste facility powered by biofuel.

2. Best Fish Oil For the Value: InnovixLabs Triple Strength Omega-3

Known for its great value, the Triple Strength Omega-3 packs the potency of three fish oil pills in just one. With a higher concentration of active Omega-3s, it means there are fewer unnecessary ingredients.

This product is ideal for anyone who wants a powerful, pure supplement without fillers. It’s distilled to remove mercury and cholesterol and certified by The International Fish Oil Standards Program. The Triple Strength Omega-3 is also free of any unpleasant odors or tastes commonly found in fish oil supplements due to its enteric-coated pills.

InnovixLabs products are available online and through Amazon.com.

3. Best Fish Oil Gummies: Nature Made Fish Oil Gummies

For a tasty, easy-to-take option, opt for Nature Made’s Fish Oil Gummies, which come in a variety of natural fruit flavors without unhealthy ingredients. The gummies contain high-quality ingredients and have no artificial flavors, synthetic dyes, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners.

Supporting heart health, these affordable gummies are great for anyone who fails to get enough fish in their diet without having to spend a lot on expensive supplements. Nature Made is also a trusted name in supplements and is even the number one pharmacist recommended omega-3/fish oil brand. It’s also easy to find; Nature Made products are readily available at big-name retailers like Target, Kroger, CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens, as well as online through Amazon.

4. Most Sustainable Fish Oil: Life Extension Super Omega-3

Life Extension’s Super Omega-3 product is inspired by Mediterranean diets, adding potent olive polyphenols and sesame lignans into the product. Perfect for those wanting a little extra out of their fish oil supplement, the olive polyphenols are equivalent to four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and support heart health. The sesame extracts, on the other hand, enhance the benefits of the fish oil for cognitive, cardiovascular, and overall good health.

Super Omega-3 is made with the brand’s Pure+, a wild fish oil concentrate derived from South Pacific Ocean anchovies, processed just hours after harvest in Chile. It’s also certified by the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS), which ensures products have met a series of strict standards of purity and quality. This guarantees an exceptionally fresh, high-grade product and lets consumers know where the ingredients are sourced.

Since Life Extension products are a little more high-end, you’ll have to visit specialty health stores to find the product. Stores like The Vitamin Shoppe, or other wellness retail outlets and boutique pharmacies, will carry the Super Omega-3 supplements.

5. Best Anti-Nausea Fish Oil Supplement: Now Foods Ultra Omega-3

Ultra Omega-3 is a straightforward supplement offering cardiovascular and brain health benefits without unnecessary additives. The soft gel is odor-controlled and much easier to tolerate for those who often experience nausea or reflux from other fish oil supplements. Now Foods products are also easy to find online through retailers like Amazon, iHerb, and Lucky Vitamin, in addition to local health food stores like GNC and Sprouts.

In addition to being easy on the stomach and easy to buy, this product is also non-GMO, keto-friendly, and kosher- and Halal-certified to cater to various diets. Consumers concerned about strict manufacturing processes will be pleased to know Ultra Omega-3 is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), is a member of the Global Organization of EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), and adheres to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP), all of which ensure high-quality goods and manufacturing processes.

Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements

The omega-3s found in fish oil have been shown to offer a wide array of benefits like supporting heart health and fighting inflammation. While consuming fatty fish is the best way to get these omega-3s, you can also find them in other foods like flaxseed oil, walnuts, and canola oil, or in a supplement form. Regardless of how you consume it, some main benefits of fish oil include:

• Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases
• Lowered levels of triglycerides
• Fights inflammation
• Helps lower blood pressure
• Eases joint pain

Who Should Use Fish Oil Supplements?

Not everyone needs to take fish oil supplements, especially if you’re getting the recommended amount of two servings of fatty fish a week (salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel). However, some people may benefit from fish oil supplements more than others. These groups of people include:

• People who don’t eat fish or seafood: If you don’t like fish, taking fish oil supplements can be a great alternative for getting the key nutrients seafood offers. For vegetarians, algae-based supplements are available and provide similar benefits. It’s worth noting most labels on fish oil supplements will recommend avoiding them if you’re allergic to seafood. However, studies have shown people with fish allergies are okay to take pure fish oil.
• African Americans: A large multi-year study of 25,871 healthy, racially-diverse adults with no history of cardiovascular disease revealed interesting findings on the effects of fish oil supplements. Overall, the study found a 28% reduction in heart attacks in those taking a daily 1-gram omega-3 supplement. Among African American participants though, there was a 77% reduction in heart attack.
• Someone with a history of, or who is at risk of cardiovascular disease, or who has high levels of triglycerides: A cardiologist and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School led a trial on the effects of a high dose omega-3 supplement. The study included a group of 8,000 middle-aged and older adults who had high levels of triglycerides and already had a cardiovascular event or was at risk for one. The findings revealed a substantial 25% reduction in risk of suffering a cardiovascular event or dying from heart disease when compared to the placebo group.
• Anyone with arthritis or joint pain: Fish oil has been shown to possibly reduce inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties, and this can significantly reduce stiffness, joint pain, and chronic back pain.
• Those with insomnia: Sleep studies show that those with regularly take an omega-3 supplement and practice good sleep hygiene, experience better sleep quality. If you have insomnia or frequently have trouble falling asleep, a fish oil supplement may be able to help you fall asleep quickly and rest soundly.

What to Look For in a Fish Oil Supplement

When shopping for a fish oil supplement, the dose, specific formula, and a seal of quality are the main things to look out for and will help guide you to an effective product.

Ingredients and Formula

Fish oil supplements can contain different forms of omega-3s. For the maximum health benefits, look for a supplement that has a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DPA). These fatty acids are the ones that help fight inflammation and support heart health.

Always make sure to check the labels on dietary supplements. The types and amounts of omega-3s vary widely across products. You can always reference the Dietary Supplement Label Database for label information on supplements currently available on the market.

Dosage

A typical fish oil supplement provides about 1 gram fish oil. For healthy adults, the National Institutes of Health recommends a daily omega-3 intake of 1.6 grams for males and 1.1 grams. However, if you have higher levels of triglycerides or are at risk for cardiovascular disease, you may want to consider a higher dose of omega-3. Talk to your doctor to determine the best dosage for you.

Quality

Look for indicators of a good, quality product like seals from the U.S. Pharmacopeia, NSF International, or ConsumerLab.com. These independent third-parties promise certain manufacturing standards for delivering safe products. With omega-3 supplements specifically, look for the Global Organization for EPA and DHA (GOED) seal, which guarantees a safe product by focusing on oxidative quality, environmental contaminants, and the measurement of EPA and DHA

FAQs

Should I take fish oil or omega 3?

Fish oil contains omega-3s, which are fatty acids essential to good health, and naturally found in walnuts, flaxseeds, and marine life. They help with heart, brain, and eye health. The best way to ensure you get omega-3s is by consuming fatty fishes like salmon, mackerel, and tuna.

If you don’t like seafood or simply can’t get the recommended amount, fish oil supplements are a great alternative. Fish oil supplements contain the two key omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Is fish oil anti-inflammatory?

When our bodies break down essential fatty acids like omega-3s (found in fish oil), it produces specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), which are anti-inflammatory molecules. These molecules can control blood vessel inflammation and have effects on our white blood cells. When taking fish oil, we increase our intake of omega-3s which can help fight inflammation in our bodies.

Does fish oil help hair growth?

Omega-3s can help keep hair follicles active which helps promote hair growth. However, there are multiple factors that affect hair growth, like diet, lifestyle, and genes. For this reason, it’s unlikely that taking fish oil on its own is enough to stimulate hair growth.

What is the best time to take fish oil?

Fish oil can be taken any time of the day, but research suggests that EPA and DHA are not absorbed by the body as well when taken without food. To reap the full benefits of the supplement, take it with a good source of fat which can increase your body’s absorption of the omega-3s.

If you’re prone to acid reflux or indigestion, try splitting your supplement into two smaller doses in the morning and night.

Does fish oil help joints?

Many studies have shown that fish oil can help joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that fish omega-3s found in fish oil demonstrated equivalent effects as ibuprofen in reducing arthritic pain. And according to the Mayo Clinic, the relief fish oil supplements provide for rheumatoid arthritis may be sufficient to reduce the need for anti-inflammatory medications altogether.

Conclusion

Omega-3s are essential to our overall health and can only be sourced from plants and seafood. They help with heart and brain health and can even reduce inflammation and ease joint pain. While eating fatty fishes like salmon and tuna are the best way to get omega-3s, certain people may benefit from fish oil supplements, particularly those who don’t eat seafood. Supplements that contain EPA and DPAs will provide the most benefits for supporting your overall health.