Here are 15 of the best fish oil supplements
Fish oil supplements are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which play important roles in the body and are crucial for brain and heart health.
If you do not regularly consume fish, fish oil supplements can help you increase your omega-3 fatty acid intake. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids:
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
Fish oil is particularly rich in EPA and DHA, which are the active forms of omega-3s. ALA needs to be converted to EPA and DHA before it is used by the body.
How to choose fish oil supplements
When it comes to selecting the best fish oil supplements in the market, the following are factors to consider:
- Quality (look for those free of harmful substances such as mercury, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and furans)
- Brand reputation
- Third-party testing
- Consumer reviews and dietitian recommendations
- Ease of consumption
- Cost
Here are 15 of the best fish oil supplements, based on the criteria above.
15 of the best fish oil supplements
1. Nordic Naturals Omega-3
- Source: Responsibly supplied wild-caught anchovies and sardines
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 690 mg in a capsule and 1560 mg per teaspoon in the liquid supplement
- EPA: 330 mg per capsule, 745 mg per teaspoon of the liquid supplement
- DHA: 220 mg per capsule, 500 mg per teaspoon of the liquid supplement
- Dose: 2 capsules or 1 teaspoon of the liquid supplement per day
Table 1. Pros and cons of Nordic Naturals Omega-3
| Pros |
Cons |
| Lemon-flavored, so lower risk of fish burps or odor |
Expensive, with a strict return policy |
| Obtained from responsibly sourced raw material |
May be confusing choose from the wide variety of supplements on the website |
| Available in both capsule and liquid forms |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
2. Barlean’s Seriously Delicious Omega-3 Fish Oil
- Source: Small-bodied fish from Iceland and Alaska
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 1080 mg of mixed EPA and DHA per tablespoon
- Dose: 1 tablespoon
Table 2. Pros and cons of Barlean’s Seriously Delicious Omega-3 Fish Oil
| Pros |
Cons |
| Tastes good |
Expensive |
| Sustainably sourced |
60 calories per tablespoon |
| Emulsified, so absorbed better |
Contains 600 International Units (IU) of vitamin D, which may require the consumer to ensure not to take too many vitamin D-rich foods or other supplements to avoid vitamin D toxicity |
| Third-party tested |
Individual concentrations of EPA and DHA are not stated |
|
Not everyone will enjoy the taste |
3. Nature Made Burp-Less Fish Oil 1000 mg softgels
- Source: Peruvian wild-caught fish
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 500 mg DHA and EPA mixed per softgel
- Dose: 2 softgels a day
Table 3. Pros and cons of Nature Made Burp-Less Fish Oil 1000 mg softgels
| Pros |
Cons |
| Budget-friendly |
Some consumers find softgels too big to swallow |
| Reduced fishy aftertaste |
Individual concentrations of EPA and DHA are not stated |
| Good brand reputation |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
4. Nature Made Fish Oil Gummies
- Source: Wild-caught fish
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 57 mg of mixed EPA and DHA
- Dose: 2 gummies per day
Table 4. Pros and cons of Nature Made Fish Oil Gummies
| Pros |
Cons |
| Sustainably sourced |
Individual concentrations of EPA and DHA are not stated |
| Gummies taste good and are suitable for those who find it difficult to swallow softgels |
Omega-3 fatty acid content per dose is quite low |
| Free of artificial flavors and colors |
Omega-3 fatty acid content per dose is quite low |
5. Barlean’s Omega Pals Chirpin’ Slurpin’ Lemonade Fish Oil (for kids ages 1+)
- Source: Wild-caught Arctic cod
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 540 mg
- Dose: Depends on the child’s age
Table 5. Pros and cons of Barlean’s Omega Pals Chirpin’ Slurpin’ Lemonade Fish Oil
| Pros |
Cons |
| Suitable for kids |
Expensive |
| Tastes good, available in different flavors, such as citrus, banana, and strawberry |
Individual concentrations of EPA and DHA are not stated |
| Sustainably sourced |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
| Non-genetically modified organisms (GMO) |
|
6. Nordic Naturals Children’s DHA Chewable Soft Gels Source
- Source: Arctic cod
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 636 mg per dose
- Dose: 3 chewable softgels
Table 6. Pros and cons of Nordic Naturals Children’s DHA Chewable Soft Gels Source
| Pros |
Cons |
| Suitable for kids, chewable |
Not suitable for kids who find it difficult to chew softgels |
| Tastes good |
Lower dose of EPA and DHA per softgel |
| Sustainably sourced |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
| Non-GMO |
|
7. Mindbodygreen (MBG) omega-3
- Source: Wild-caught, cold-water anchovies
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 1,500 mg of EPA and DHA per dose
- Dose: 2 gelcaps
Table 7. Pros and cons of Mindbodygreen (MBG) omega-3
| Pros |
Cons |
| Well-absorbed |
Individual concentrations of EPA and DHA are not stated |
| Tastes good |
|
| Sustainably sourced |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
8. HUM Nutrition OMG! OMEGA the Great Triple Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement
- Source: Wild anchovies
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 1400 mg per dose
- Dose: 2 softgel capsules
Table 8. Pros and cons of HUM Nutrition OMG! OMEGA the Great Triple Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement
| Pros |
Cons |
| Contains vitamin E in addition to omega-3 fats |
Expensive |
| Tastes good |
Some people find the softgels too big to swallow |
| Gluten-free |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
9. Thorne Omega-3 with CoQ10
- Source: Cold water fish
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content
- Dose: 1 gelcap
Table 9. Pros and cons of Thorne Omega-3 With CoQ10
| Pros |
Cons |
| Provides potent antioxidant CoenzymeQ10 (30 mg per dose) |
Expensive |
| Good brand reputation |
|
| Sustainably sourced |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
10. Nature-Made Fish Oil Plus Vitamin D 1,000 IU
- Source: Wild-caught fish
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 600 mg mixed EPA and DHA per dose
- Dose: 2 softgel capsules
Table 10. Pros and cons of Nature-Made Fish Oil Plus Vitamin D
| Pros |
Cons |
| Provides vitamin D (2000 IU per serve) |
Individual concentrations of EPA and DHA are not stated |
| Third-party tested |
|
11. Amazon Elements Super Omega-3 With Lemon Flavor
- Source: Wild-caught fish
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 600 mg mixed EPA and DHA
- Dose: 2 softgel capsules
Table 11. Pros and cons of Amazon Elements Super Omega-3 With Lemon Flavor
| Pros |
Cons |
| No artificial flavors or colors |
Individual concentrations of EPA and DHA are not stated |
| Gluten-free |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
| Sustainably sourced |
|
| Non-GMO |
|
12. Carlson Labs the Very Finest Fish Oil
- Source: Wild-caught fish (anchovies, sardines and mackerel)
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 1600 mg per dose
- EPA: 800 mg per dose
- DHA: 500 mg per dose
- Dose: 5 mL (1 teaspoon)
Table 12. Pros and cons of Carlson Labs the Very Finest Fish Oil
| Pros |
Cons |
| Vitamin E rich |
Not everyone will enjoy the taste |
| Tastes good (two flavors: lemon and orange) |
Some consumers report faulty packaging (leaky cap) |
| Third-party tested |
|
| Non-GMO |
|
13. InnovixLabs Ultra Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil: Small, Burpless Fish Oil
- Source: Wild-caught fish
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 500 mg per dose
- Dose: 1 capsule
Table 13. Pros and cons of InnovixLabs Ultra Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil: Small, Burpless Fish Oil
| Pros |
Cons |
| Smaller capsule size, easier to swallow |
Expensive |
| No fish burps |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
| Made from wild-caught small fish, sustainably sourced |
|
14. GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil Minis
- Source: Deep ocean fish
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 1065 mg per dose
- Dose: 2 softgels a day
Table 14. Pros and cons of GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil Minis
| Pros |
Cons |
| Easy to swallow pills |
Cost may be a concern for some |
| No unpleasant aftertaste |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
| Reputed brand |
|
| Non-GMO |
|
15. Vegetology Opti3 Omega-3 EPA and DHA (not a fish oil supplement but a vegetarian source of omega-3 fats)
- Source: Algae
- Total omega-3 fatty acid content: 912 mg per capsule
- EPA: 300 mg per capsule
- DHA: 500 mg per capsule
- Dose: 2 capsules a day
Table 15. Pros and cons of Vegetology Opti3 Omega-3 EPA and DHA
| Pros |
Cons |
| Suitable for vegans and vegetarians |
Cost may be a concern for some |
| Ideal for people with seafood allergy |
Low amounts of vitamin D may be insufficient for vegetarians |
| Provides small amounts of vitamin D as well |
|
| Gluten-free and non-GMO |
|
| Third-party tested |
|
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________.
See Answer
Medically Reviewed on 8/2/2022
References
Image Source: iStock image
Best Fish Oil Supplements of 2022. https://www.csuperb.org/best-fish-oil-supplements-of-2022-according-to-dietitians/
Omega-3 Fatty Acids. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/
Is fish oil right for you? https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2011/12/is-fish-oil-right-for-you/index.htm
