Best Fish Oil Supplements 2023: Top 8 Brands, Benefits & Effects
Reviewed by Brittany Ferri, PhD
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If you’re thinking of different ways to boost your health profile and your immune function, and if you’d also like to enhance the anti-inflammatory actions in your body, the one product you might be looking for is fish oil. In this review, we’ll discuss the use of fish oil, its benefits, and any drawbacks. We’ll look at several products to help you determine which could be the best fish oil[1] supplement for you.
The first step would be to consider whether you eat fatty fish[2]. These fish, like salmon, trout, and mackerel, are great sources of Omega 3s[3], which is an unsaturated fatty acid effective for ameliorating inflammation. They’re also vital for neural development and brain function, cardiovascular health, and protective measures against some cancers. If fatty fish isn’t in your diet, you’re likely missing out on the positive influences of the omega-3s. If this is the case, supplementing with fish oil may be helpful.
8 Best Fish Oil Supplement In 2023
- HUM Nutrition OMG! OMEGA the Great – Editor’s Choice
- Care/of Fish Oil Wild at Heart – Best fish oil subscriptions
- Life Extension Super Omega-3 – Best fish oil supplements for heart health
- Transparent Labs Krill Oil – Best overall
- Barlean’s Ideal Omega3 Softgels – Best tasting
- Carlson Labs The Very Finest Fish Oil – Best liquid fish oil supplement
- Nature Made Fish Oil Gummies – Best gummy
- Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega – Best affordable
Fish oils[4] are the best sources of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, compounds, better known as EPA and DHA[5]. These two major types of omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for weight management, heart health, protection against cognitive decline, and age-related conditions.
Best Fish Oil Supplement In 2023
HUM Nutrition OMG! OMEGA the Great
Omega the Great may be the choice for you if you’re looking for mental clarity and healthier skin. One thing to be mindful of is the fact that this product isn’t vegan-friendly.
- Targets brain health
- Contains Vitamin E
- Designed by RD Nutritionists
- Contains bovine gelatin
- Not vegan-friendl
Omega the Great may be an ideal supplement, as it consists of the best ratio of EPA and DHA. This is considerable, as EPA may be needed in greater amounts. Additionally, Vitamin E is a significant ingredient. Fish oil supplements may cause vitamin E levels to decline, so this formula may help to provide a nice balance of nutrients. This is advertised as ultra-pure fish oil that is sustainably sourced from small fish.
Care/of Fish Oil Wild at Heart
This sustainably sourced fish oil may be the clean and easy product you’re searching for! If you’d like to obtain all the health benefits at a monthly rate, this subscription may be worth a try.
- Targets brain, joints, prenatal
- Gluten-free
- Economic-friendly
- Contains bovine gelatin
The Care/of Fish Oil Wild at Heart is a clean product designed with considerations you may not find in other brands. Most fish oils are made from anchovies or sardines, but this supplement is made from wild Alaskan salmon and is free of pollutants and heavy metals. Additionally, it is made using cold press extraction, which allows the essential fatty acids, as well as fat-soluble vitamins A and D, to be preserved.
Life Extension Super Omega-3
The benefits of Life Extension Omega 3 may result in a longer, healthier life, just as the title claims! This product may improve heart and brain health, as well as improve the function of the entire body.
- Pure fish oil from wild-caught fish
- Contains sesame lignans and olive
- Antioxidant and antimicrobial
- Large pill size
- Bad taste
Life Extension Omega 3 contains the usual EPA and DHA but contains only sesame lignans and olive extract and is developed as a comprehensive fish oil product with benefits far beyond heart health. Sesame lignans and olive polyphenols were included to maximize the cognitive and cardiovascular effects. These elements also provide antioxidant and antimicrobial capabilities that may not be received in other fish oil formulas.
Transparent Labs Krill Oil
This Krill oil can provide powerful antioxidant effects and provides a nutritional boost for many aspects of health. This may be a beneficial product if you don’t have a shellfish allergy.
- Enhances cellular activity
- Contains natural astaxanthin
- Easily absorbed
- Shellfish allergen warning
A nice alternative to a fish oil product may be Krill oil. Krill is made of crustaceans, like shrimp and lobster, and provides a great source of EPA and DHA. One advantage of Krill compared to fish oil is that the omegas found in Krill are attached to phospholipids, which enables it to be better for absorption, as it’s easier on the stomach. Another plus is that it contains Astaxanthin, a pigment usually seen in carotenoids, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Transparent Labs Krill Oil can be effective for the health and function of the brain and nervous system, as astaxanthin works to combat oxidative stress and protect health at the cellular level.
Barlean’s Ideal Omega3 Softgels
Barlean’s fish oil is a great purchase if you’re looking for the benefits without the fishy taste. Be mindful that it may be more costly than other products, but you may find it to be worth it.
- 1,000 mg EPA/DHA
- Single serving
- Orange flavor
- Expensive
Barlean’s fish oil provides an abundant amount of EPA and DHA, and it’s conveniently presented in one single-serving soft gel. This makes this a valuable option as you may get more benefits in fewer doses. You don’t have to worry about taking pills so many times a day, and it’s easier to swallow. The orange flavor masks any fishy aftertaste, and there is no lingering fishy smell on the skin.
Carlson Labs The Very Finest Fish Oil
This sustainably sourced fish oil may be a tolerable option if you have trouble swallowing pills. It’s a little costly, but it’s loaded with omega-3s and has a delicious natural flavoring that helps it go down.
- Provides 1600 mg of omega-3
- Various flavors
- Liquid formula
- Expensive
Carlson Labs The Very Finest Fish Oil provides a nice liquid alternative for consumers who have difficulty swallowing pills. These products are available in natural lemon, mixed berry, peach, and orange flavors. The fishy smell and taste are reduced by these flavors. You can take it with ease as you’ll only need to take one teaspoon of this liquid daily.
These products can be bought online or in person. Storage and preservation also won’t be an issue as long as the liquid supplement is kept refrigerated.
Nature Made Fish Oil Gummies
These Nature Made fish oil gummies are designed to be more appetizing than the average fish oil, but while loaded with flavor, they still may not be loaded with the same positive functions.
- Strawberry, orange, and lemon flavors
- Heart healthy
- Sourced from wild-caught fish
- Contains added sugars
Gummy supplements may be the most appealing by far but are often the least helpful or effective. There are some benefits as the product does contain EPA and DHA, but it contains it in far fewer amounts compared to competitors. The three grams (g) of added sugars are unlikely to be helpful as well. The convenience and great taste of these gummies are likely to be the strongest asset of this product.
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega may offer various methods to take the fish oil, with a pleasant flavor and high dose of omega-3s.
- More than 1,000 mg of omega-3s
- Enhanced absorption
- Offers lemon soft gels, liquids, or gummies
- Expensive
By offering a liquid, soft gel, and gummies, Nordic Naturals has allowed you to choose which type is preferable, all without compromising the effectiveness of the product. The liquid formula provides 2,840 mg of omega-3 for high-intensity fatty acid support, so the higher cost may be worth it. Soft gels and gummies both contain about 1,200 mg of omega-3 and are also more easily absorbed.
What Are Fish Oil Supplements?
Fish oil supplementation is another source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA. Fish oil is made of oil and fat obtained from the fish tissue.
Type Of Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil supplements are available as capsules, liquids, pills, soft gels, and even gummies. Additionally, these products may have different constituents[6], such as fish liver and krill oils.
Health Benefits Of Fish Oil Supplement
There are many potential health benefits[7] from taking fish oil supplements. The anti-inflammatory effects have promise for cardiac health, as blood triglyceride levels may be reduced while good cholesterol is increased, blood pressure may be regulated. The risk of heart disease may also be reduced. It may also help alleviate pain and stiffness and nurture brain health.
Potential Side Effects
Some adverse effects include rash, heartburn, nausea, and diarrheal. A lingering fishy aftertaste may also be present. It is also important to note that taking in excessive amounts of fish oil may impair the immune response.
How To Choose The Best Fish Oil Supplements
Certification
Check if the product meets the international fish/krill oil standards (IFOS/IKOS[8]). This tells about the quality and purity of the products. This may also tell if it was sustainably sourced. Also, search if the brand is reputable.
Total Omega-3
EPA and DHA are often included in two different amounts, as they have their own targets of action[9]. Look at the supplement label to see how much you receive for each.
Check for Allergens
Look for products that don’t contain gluten, soy, or other common allergens. Regarding krill oil, you will often see a shellfish warning. If you’re generally sensitive to most seafood, fish oil supplementation may be difficult.
Dosage
Discuss with your healthcare provider whether you’d need a low-dose or high-dose supplement. Dosage can influence how effective the product is for you and whether you feel any side effects. Understanding how much fish you do or don’t eat can be helpful. At least 500 mg of omega-3s is needed to lower the risk of coronary heart disease, with 1000 mg being suitable for secondary prevention. For pregnancy and nursing, 700 to 1000 mg may be useful, and one g may be needed in the presence of elevated triglycerides or blood pressure.
Conclusion
A fish oil supplement may be what you’re missing if you just can’t obtain omega-3s from your diet. Consuming plant sources like chia seeds and nuts are good, but this is mostly going to result in increased ALA. In addition to ALA, you want to opt for fish and krill oils which can provide EPA and DHA in beneficial amounts, as these are the major omega-3s. Four of the best options to select from include Carlson Lab’s, Barlean’s, Nordic Natural fish oils, and Transparent Labs krill oil. Each of these seems likely to provide some of the greatest effects, any may be worth the try and the money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Other types of Omega-3s, like linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), must be obtained via plant sources like nuts, soybean, and flaxseed. ALA can be converted into EPA and then DHA, but the conversion isn’t always successful. This is important considering EPA and DHA are more biologically active than ALA, making them greater for long-term health.
Fish liver oils, like Cod liver oil, contain fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A and D, in addition to omega-3 fatty acids.
Yes. Taking fish oil with anticoagulants and medications that reduce blood clotting may lead to a greater risk of bleeding. Fish oils may also exacerbate blood pressure when used concurrently with blood pressure drugs. Contraceptives can alter the effect of fish oil on the body.
There are some supplements containing only EPA or only DHA. However, these are not likely to be labelled nor advertised as “fish oil.” Also, be cognizant of the brand’s validity. EPA and DHA work well together and are often supplemented together. In the case of fish oil, both naturally occur. It isn’t likely that you’ll find an “EPA-only fish oil.”
+ 9 sources
MIDSS adheres to strict procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes, and medical associations. We work mainly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure the accuracy of the information. We avoid the use of tertiary references. You can read about how we ensure the accuracy and timeliness of our content in our editorial process.
- Mayo Clinic. (2020). Fish oil. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-fish-oil/art-20364810 [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
- Mayo Clinic. (2022). How eating fish helps your heart. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/omega-3/art-20045614 [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
- Nih.gov. (2015). Office of Dietary Supplements – Omega-3 Fatty Acids. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/#h3 [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
- Kromhout, D., Yasuda, S., Geleijnse, J.M. and Shimokawa, H. (2011). Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease: do they really work? European Heart Journal, [online] 33(4), pp.436–443. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehr362.
- Swanson, D., Block, R. and Mousa, S.A. (2012). Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA: Health Benefits Throughout Life. Advances in Nutrition, [online] 3(1), pp.1–7. doi:10.3945/an.111.000893.
- NCCIH. (2018). Omega-3 Supplements: In Depth. [online] Available at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/omega3-supplements-in-depth.
- Liao, J., Xiong, Q., Yin, Y., Ling, Z. and Chen, S. (2022). The Effects of Fish Oil on Cardiovascular Diseases: Systematical Evaluation and Recent Advance. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, [online] 8. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.802306.
- Certifications by Nutrasource. (2022). IFOS. [online] Available at: https://certifications.nutrasource.ca/about/how-certifications-work/ifos [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
- Nih.gov. (2015). Office of Dietary Supplements – Omega-3 Fatty Acids. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/#h3 [Accessed 30 Dec. 2022].
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