Best Omega 3 Fatty Acids Supplements 2023: Evidence Based
Omega 3 supplements are some of the most useful supplements out there. This is because they provide so many essential nutrients. These nutrients help with pain relief (anti inflammatory), lung health, joint health, anti aging and all manner of health benefits.
The Federal Government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 recommends that adults eat 8 or more ounces of a variety of seafood (fish or shellfish) per week for the total package of nutrients seafood provides, and that some seafood choices with higher amounts of EPA and DHA be included. Smaller amounts of seafood are recommended for young children.
There’s no official recommended intake, but the World Health Organization and the US Department of Health and Human Services suggest a minimum of 250 to 500 milligrams of omega-3s per day. It’s important to note that many of these studies used two to four grams per day to achieve their effects.- Often omega-3 fatty acid supplements are too oxidized
- Some supplements don’t contain enough EPA and/or DHA
- Often supplements contain less ideal forms of omega-3 fatty acids
Listed below are the top fish oil supplements on the market. This short-list should help you narrow down your choices when it comes to fish oil supplements.
Fish oil vs Krill oil |
BEST OMEGA 3 SUPPLEMENTS OF 2023
To help streamline your decision-making process, we’ve analyzed dozens of the best omega-3 supplements on the market and narrowed down our picks.
1. Nordic Naturals Omega-3
Related: Many common omega-3 fish oil supplements are ‘oxidized’
2. Omega-3 Wild Alaskan Fish Oil
- Sourced from Wild Alaskan Pollock
- 90 day money back guarantee
- Maximum total oxidation of 5
- Comes in fish gelatin capsule
This is a fantastic fish oil supplement, and it easily won out against the
other supplements on this list. The source is proudly displayed, and it is
sustainable which is a big plus for environmentally conscious people. The
more practical benefits are even better. The soft capsules are easy to
swallow, even if they are a little too big. They also do their job quickly
thanks to the high absorption rate. It is also surprising that these
capsules are so cheap. Usually products of this caliber are a lot more
expensive than the market average. These capsules are so cheap that pretty
much anyone would be able to afford them.
They are also very long
lasting. Under the right conditions they end up surviving for long periods
of time. This is great for people that want to stock up on them, and helps
make them even more affordable. We were hard pressed to find anything that
we didn’t like about this product.
Pros
- Suitable for pescatarians (do not eat meat but do eat fish).
- Sustainably sourced from wild fish, not farmed
- Highly long lasting capsules under reasonable conditions
- Soft capsules that are usually easy to swallow
- Quickly has an effect on the body
- Surprisingly affordable
Con
- Capsules are slightly large
3. Dr. Tobias Omega 3 Fish Oil Triple Strength
Amazon Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 - more than 30,000 global ratings
Amazon Best Sellers: #3 in Omega 3 Nutritional Supplements.
- Enteric coating for fast absorption
- Purified through molecular distillation
- 180 soft gel capsules per bottle
- Includes access to healthcare and diet videos
The supplement isn’t exactly perfect, though. The bottle is kind of fragile which can be a nuisance. Also, some consumers have reported that the capsules are weak too and that they frequently leak. Both these issues could potentially make a huge mess that you would have to clean up.
Pros
- Absorbed quickly into the body resulting in fast benefits
- Highly purified formula through molecular distillation
- Completely tasteless
- Sustainably sourced
- Free of genetically modified components
- Several complaints of leaking capsules
- Somewhat fragile
4. Antarctic Krill Oil 1000mg (Per Softgel) with Omega-3s EPA & DHA + Astaxanthin & Phospholipids - Best krill oil supplement consumer reports
#8 in Omega 3 Nutritional Supplements (more than 13,000 ratings)
- More Krill for your dollar: Contains 1000 mg of Krill oil per SOFTGEL with more naturally occurring EPA, DHA, Phospholipids and Astaxanthin than any other Krill brand.
- Omega-3 Support: Made with Superba2 Krill Oil, a new advance formula clinically proven to increase omega-3 fatty acid levels in the body*.
- Less Krill smell with No Aftertaste: The new Superba2 has substantially reduced the Krill smell. The phospholipid-bound omega-3 fatty acids are water dispersible, making them easier to digest than fish oil. Goodbye gross, fishy aftertaste!
- Sustainably Sourced: Superba Krill is sustainably harvested and 100% traceable from sea to shelf. Certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and IKOS 5 star certified Krill Oil.
- Money Back Guarantee.
- Omega-3 (180 EPA / 120 DHA) > Check Price on Amazon
- Ultra Omega-3 (500 EPA / 250 DHA) > Check Price on Amazon
While these capsules are easy to swallow, they don’t taste very good. This spoils the experience a little and might make them tough to swallow for some. A few consumers have also reported some of the capsules containing visible impurities. You should bear all of this in mind before you buy the product.
- 200 softgels
- Molecularly distilled
- 1000mg per capsule
- Cholesterol free
- High dosage means daily requirement is easily met
- Soft capsules are easy to swallow
- Does not cause any gastric distress
- Capsules last quite a long time under right conditions
- Strong fishy smell makes capsules tough to swallow
- Reports of some capsules containing impurities
6. Wiley's Finest Wild Alaskan Fish Oil - 3X Triple Strength Peak EPA DHA, 1000mg Omega-3s
Amazon Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 - more than 1,700 global ratings
Amazon Best Sellers: #34 in Omega 3 Nutritional Supplements.
GOED (Global Organization for EPA and DHA omega-3) study affirms
AlaskOmega® Wild Alaska Pollock Fish Oil has Lowest TOTOX Score for
Unflavored Omega-3 Oils:
- Nature Made Burp-Less Fish Oil 1000 mg with 300 mg Omega-3 per softgel
- Nature Made Burp-Less Fish Oil 1200 mg with 360 mg Omega-3 per softgel > Check Price on Amazon
- Nature Made Burp-Less Fish Oil 1400 mg with 500 mg Omega-3 per softgel > Check Price on Amazon
However, the pills are a little too hard. This makes them tough to swallow. Another problem you might have with this product is that it takes a long time for it to have a complete effect on your body, although that’s reasonable considering the additive free formula.
- Suitable for people with gluten allergies
- Mid strength formula means relaxed dosage regimen
- Pure formula free of artificial elements
- Suitable for animals as well as humans
- Does not cause fishy burps or other kinds of gassiness
- Free of preservatives and yeast
- Takes a long time to have effect
- Pills are slightly hard, makes them slightly difficult to swallow
8. OmegaXL® 60 Count – Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acid
- Blend of 30 fatty acids
- Sourced from Green Lipped Mussel
- Contains Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Small capsules
All of that being said, while this capsule does offer benefits it has its drawbacks too. For example, it is not quite as effective as the other products on this list. This also a fairly expensive fish oil supplement, so a lot of people might go for better options especially since they are more affordable than this one.
Pros
- Small capsules are easy to swallow
- Neutral taste (no fishy after-taste)
- Source of fatty acids clearly displayed
- Does not work as effectively as other products
- High price per dose
- According to Consumer Lab Review Report on Omega XL: "Omega XL (distributed by Great Healthworks) is described on its website as a "highly concentrated Omega-3 'Super Oil' supplement," for joint pain and inflammation that is "better than standard fish oil." However, when ConsumerLab.com tested this product, it discovered surprisingly little omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)."
Health Benefits of Taking Omega 3 Supplements
On the other hand, flaxseed oil contains the omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) (Source). Flaxseed oil also contains linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid (AA) are the Omega-6 fatty acids that have been found to possess potential cancer protective properties. The human body converts linoleic acid into GLA (Gamma-Linoliec Acid), and the latter get converted into AA.
However, ALA isn’t biologically active and needs to be converted to EPA and DHA to be used for something other than just stored energy like other types of fat (Source).
While ALA is still an essential fatty acid, EPA and DHA are linked to many more health benefits (Source). Additionally, the conversion process from ALA to EPA and DHA is quite inefficient in humans (Source). For example, one study found that only 5% of ALA is converted to EPA and less than 0.5% of ALA is converted to DHA in adults (Source).
EPA and DHA can reduce inflammation, which causes swelling and pain. Research has indicated that both acids might suppress the body’s immune system. However, a 2016 study suggests that DHA might enhance immune function instead. DHA is more effective at reducing inflammation than EPA, but both have a role.
Omega-3 and Heart Health
- Fatal Heart Attack - 35%
- Heart Attack (myocardial infarction)- 13%
- Risk of death form Coronary Heart Disease - 9%
Omega-3 and Knee Pain
EPA and DHA can reduce inflammation, which causes swelling and pain. Research has indicated that both acids might suppress the body’s immune
system. However, a 2016 study suggests that DHA might enhance immune function instead. DHA is
more effective at reducing inflammation than EPA, but both have a
role.
For the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil to work against arthritis, it’s necessary to consume a fairly large quantity of it each day. Fish oil — or cod liver oil — enclosed in capsules makes this fairly easy.
On the other hand, because cod liver oil contains very high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin D, taking too much can be toxic. For the purpose of treating arthritis, fish oil is the safer choice.
Omega-3 and Diabetes
“Baseline plasma samples were analyzed for GAD65 antibodies and phospholipid n-3 PUFAs. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for incident diabetes in relation to GAD65 antibody status and tertiles of plasma phospholipid n-3 PUFA or fish intake were estimated using Prentice-weighted Cox regression …
The hazard of diabetes in antibody-positive individuals with low intake of total and fatty fish, respectively, was significantly elevated (HR 2.52 and 2.48) compared with people who were GAD65 antibody negative and had high fish intake, with evidence of additive (AP 0.44 and 0.48) and multiplicative interactions.
Individuals with high GAD65 antibody levels (≥167.5 units/mL) and low total plasma phospholipid n-3 PUFAs had a more than fourfold higher hazard of diabetes …”
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Life Span
The Framingham study group is one of the longest-running longitudinal health data sets in existence. Since 1971, the residents of this small Massachusetts town have given us everything from heart health data to their knee annual MRI images. That’s where the data for this new Omega-3 research originates.The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Oct 2021), used data from a long-term study group, the Framingham Offspring Cohort, which has been monitoring residents of this Massachusetts town, in the United States, since 1971.
The research looked at 2,200 people who were monitored for 11 years for their blood fatty acid levels. The researchers found that omega-3 levels in red blood cells are very good mortality risk predictors. That means that higher levels of Omega-3 in the blood from regularly eating oily fish, increased life expectancy by almost five years.
This research comes a few months after a meta-analysis of 17 prospective cohort studies was published in Nature Communications. The analysis linked higher circulating omega-3 fatty acid levels to longevity. In a pooled analysis of the studies, participants in the highest fifth of combined blood DHA and EPA were 15 to 18 percent less likely to die from any cause over the follow-up period (median follow-up time is 16 years in these studies). Higher blood omega-3s were also associated with a reduced risk for death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Vitamin D and Omega-3 Lower Autoimmune Disease Risk
Once people had been taking vitamin D for at least two years, the prevention rate from autoimmune disorders rose to 39%, according to the study, published in the journal BMJ.Vitamin D and omega 3 fish oil capsules may protect against autoimmune disease, but more research is needed.
The study also found a possible link between taking 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil) and a reduction in autoimmune disorders. The study found that taking both vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements, versus the placebo alone, decreased autoimmune disease by about 30%.
Omega 3 and Alzheimer’s Disease / Cognitive Impairment
Some research indicates that people who eat more seafood may have a reduced risk of cognitive decline. However, omega-3 supplements haven’t been shown to help prevent cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease or to improve symptoms of these conditions. For example, a large NIH-sponsored study completed in 2015 indicated that taking EPA and DHA supplements did not slow cognitive decline in older adults. The people studied were participants in a larger eye disease study, and all of them had age-related macular degeneration (AMD).It’s possible that omega-3s might have different effects in people with different genetic backgrounds. A 2017 research review suggested that people who carry a gene called APOE4, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, might benefit from taking DHA before developing signs of Alzheimer’s. (NCCIH)
Study of 29,000 blood samples finds higher omega-3 levels associated with lower marker of inflammation
Best Omega 3 Supplements Consumer Reports
Most omega-3 supplements are too oxidized
Most omega-3 supplements — and we really mean almost all of them — are not of
good quality. They are too oxidized.
This should not really come as
a surprise given omega-3 fatty acids are very prone to oxidation. Oxidized
omega-3 fatty acids are unhealthy, and can lead to oxidation of other
molecules in our cells.
There are very few brands that have cracked
the problem of oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids.
Most brands try to
add antioxidants to their omega-3 fatty acids, like vitamin E
(alpha-tocopherol) or rosemary extract, but they often do that when it’s
already too late, when omega-3 fatty acids have been too oxidized already.
So,
despite adding these antioxidants, for most supplements the TOTOX values
(Total Oxidation) are too high.
There are not a lot of brands that
try to keep TOTOX levels as low as possible. Some examples of brands that
offer high-quality omega-3 fatty acids are (not sponsored) Omega3 Innovations
or Nordic Naturals.
Some scientists believe that omega-3 fatty
acids derived from krill are less oxidized than omega-3 fatty acids from fish
oil.
Krill are tiny shrimp-like animals that contain a strong antioxidant called astaxanthin which protects their omega-3 fatty acids against oxidation. However, further research still has to bear this out.
Summary
Supplementing with omega-3s has been shown in various studies to help with inflammation, mental health, and brain function (Nutrients 2020). Many of the other claims regarding their benefits require additional research.A person interested in taking omega-3 supplements should speak with a doctor first. If they decide to take the supplement, they should opt for products that have undergone a third-party review for safety and purity. After you buy, just remember to keep them in the fridge.
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