The best fish oil supplements have various characteristics. They are obtained in a sustainable way, they are checked by independent labs to ensure that they are fresh, pure and nutritious and they contain at least 1,000 mg EPA+ omega 3 fatty acids. For us to select the top supplements discussed here we talked to 5 medical doctors, who mainly deal with human nutrition, we perused through dozens of studies and checked through lots of ingredients.
The human body needs omega 3 fatty acids but cannot produce it. Therefore, we have to get it from the foods that we eat. You can get it by eating fresh, whole fish, but if this is not possible, then you can obtain it by taking fish oil supplements.
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What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil is obtained from oily fish, such as cold water fatty fish, such as salmon, herring, sardines, white fish, and anchovies. Fish oil is high in omega 3 fats, also known as ω-3 fatty acids or n-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs. Fish oil has 2 main PUFAs. These are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA and PHA are mainly derived from fish, so they can also be referred to as omega 3s.
PurityLabs Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement
What makes PurityLabs omega fish oil supplement different from other supplements is the fact that it has triple strength, it’s hexane-free, state-of-the-art molecular distillation prevents harmful oxidation and removes PCBs, dioxins, mercury and other potentially harmful contaminants naturally so you can feel safe about what you are putting into your body. Purity Labs uses Rosemary Extract and natural tocopherols to preserve freshness naturally, without potentially harmful preservatives.
Pros
- Promote cardiovascular health & normal blood pressure
- Boost your energy & mood
- Improves digestion
- Boost brain function & memory
Cons
- They are expensive compared to other supplements.
Omega XL
This is one of the best fish oil supplements to help deal with arthritis and joint pain. This product that is produced by Great Healthworks that is based in California has a compound known as “PCSO-524”. This compound is derived from a green lipped mussel that can be found in New Zealand. This compound helps in relieving inflammation and pain that normally happens in the lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways. The fatty acids in this compound fight with arachidonic acid, which causes inflammation, and displaces it, thus reducing pain.
Pros
- The company has been rated A by BBB
- You will get lasting results when it comes to relieving joint pains
- New Zealand is one of the cleanest areas in the world; therefore any extracts derived from the fish in that area are one of the safest.
- Comes in a convenient gel-like capsule that’s easy to swallow. You do not have to measure it.
Cons
- There are over 142 complaints from consumers since 2010 that are yet to be resolved by the company
- You can only buy it from the company’s website, limiting people who do not know how to go about making online purchases.
- Ingredients have not been listed
Nutrigold Fish Oil
If you want the best fish oil supplement, then the Omega-3 Gold™ can provide you with a highly concentrated omega 3 fatty acid dose. It is made using IFOS 5 Star certified fish oil. This oil has been derived from Cod and Alaskan Pollack. It is pure and powerful and can provide as much as 3 times the omega 3 oils required by the body. It comes in capsule form with each soft gel having 1000 mg of DHA and EPA combined.
Pros
- No fishy aftertaste
Cons
- Its price has gone up
Viva Labs Fish Oil
If you are looking for a powerful fish oil supplement, then it is Viva Labs Fish Oil. Each capsule is packed with 1,000 mg of omega 3 fatty acids, 705 mg of EPA and 245 mg of DHA. It provides raw omega 3 content.
There are no other extra ingredients in this product, such as added vitamins or flavoring. The company has rebranded recently, so you might find this product being sold under the brand name “Viva Naturals”. This is not an imitation.
Pros
- Minimum toxin levels
- Powerful
Cons
- The pills are big in size. This can make them difficult to swallow.
- Has a fishy smell
- More expensive as compared to other products in the market
The Vitamin Shoppe Fish Oil
This fish oil supplement comes packed with 1000 mg of omega 3 soft gels. It has 680 mg EPA and 260 mg DHA. This adds up to 76% fish oil in the product. This product has glycerin, water, gelatin and vitamin E, which is a preservative. If you are looking for the best fish oil supplement that will give you value for your money, then this is it.
Pros
- It’s quite affordable
- Low mercury and toxin levels
Cons
- The listed ingredients do not correspond with the EPA and DHA levels that are actually in the product.
OmegaVia Fish Oil
This is one of the premium products in the market. It has been well packaged and branded. It has soft gel capsules that are packed with 1105 mg of omega 3 oils. 780 mg are EPA and 260 mg is DHA, making up 86% of the product.
It has low levels of PCB and mercury. When analyzed n a third party lab, test results showed that the PCB levels were almost undetectable and mercury constituted only one part in a billion parts.
According to the label, the oil from this product has been extracted from whiting fish from the Alaskan waters. Only high-quality, simple products form the ingredients list of this product with vitamin E being added, so as to act as a preservative. Apart from the ingredients added so as to constitute the soft gel, the rest of the ingredients added here are purely from fish.
Even though this is a high-quality product, you can find something better when it comes to the cost of omega 3 products. But if you are looking for the best fish oil supplement, then Omega Via Fish Oil is a good deal.
Pros
- You only have to take only 1 capsule in a day
- It is safe and highly potent
Cons
- The pills are a little bit big. This can make them hard to swallow.
Dr. Tobias Optimum Fish Oil
Dr. Tobias Optimum Fish Oil is one of the best-selling fish oil supplements on Amazon. This makes it quite a well-known brand. The soft gels are packed with 1000mg of fish oil including 300 mg of DHA and 400 mg of EPA.
This oil has been extracted from sardines. The soft gel has been made using gelatin and glycerin and food glaze. Vitamin E has also been included and it acts as a preservative.
The results from a third-party testing lab show that Dr. Tobias Optimum Omega 3 contains 2 parts in a billion of mercury. The safe limit is 100 parts per a billion of mercury. Out of the1000 mg in each capsule, 85% or 845 mg contains omega 3 fatty oils.
There are so many things that contribute towards making this product a top seller. It is reliable, safe, dependable, reasonably priced and simple. If you are looking for something simple yet effective, then this is the product for you.
Pros
- It has been well tested to ensure that it is pure yet potent
- You only have to take 2 capsules in a day
- It has been purified to get rid of heavy metals like mercury
Cons
- It does not have a fishy taste but you can have fishy burps
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega D3
Nordic Naturals claims that their fish oil is extracted from anchovies and sardines that have been obtained as a result of deep sea fishing. The PCB and mercury level in this product is quite low. This is because the company usually tests each batch of fish they obtain for toxins.
The company has 2 products that are almost the same. These are the Ultimate Omega D3 and Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Purified Fish Oil. The major difference between these products is the level of omega 3 fatty acids that are contained in each product; otherwise, all the other ingredients are the same.
The Ultimate version must be one of your best bets. It has 685 mg of omega fatty acids in each capsule. 58% of the fish oil in this supplement is DHA and EPA.
The regular version of this product has 325 mg of omega 3 oils in each capsule. This is less than half of what is contained in the Ultimate Version. The EPA and DHA are only 28% of the total fish oil per capsule. Even in absolute quantities, the EPA and DHA are less than what is in the Ultimate version.
If you are making a decision about which product to buy independent of the price, then the Ultimate version is your best option.
Pros
- No artificial flavoring and coloring
- Natural fish obtained from deep sea fishing are used
Cons
- They have a strong fishy smell and taste
- Makes some people have an upset stomach
WHC UnoCardio 1000+
The oil from this product is derived from herrings, sardines, anchovy, and mackerel. Each capsule contains 670mg of EPA and 395 mg of DHA in each capsule.
This product also has vitamin D to help strengthen your immune system. A lot of people who live in cold climates do not get a lot of vitamin D during winter since there isn’t a lot of sunlight at that time.
Rosemary leaf has been used to flavor this product. Therefore, if you do not like the fishy smell and taste that most omega 3 oils have, then you can opt for this product since the smell has been masked.
This product is imported from Belgium. It has 4 parts of mercury per a billion. According to third-party lab testing, the EPA and DHA portions listed on the label is close to what was found in independent testing results.
If you are a pescatarian, that is you do not eat meat but you eat fish, then this is a good option for you. This is because its soft gel capsule is made using fish gelatin only.
Pros
- It is more powerful given that it has high quantities of omega 3 oil
- It has a soft gel, which disintegrates quickly once you have ingested the capsule
- You take only 1 capsule a day
Cons
- The capsules are a little bit big, making them hard to swallow
- Can give you fishy burps
Nature’s Bounty Fish Oil
If you are looking for the best fish oil supplement, consider Nature’s Bounty fish oil. This is a popular supplement that can be found in different pharmacies and retail stores around the country.
Each capsule contains 750 mg of omega 3 fish oil. Out of this, 240mg is DHA and 435 mg is EPA. This makes up for approximately 60% of the fish oil content. This is not a very great figure when it comes to the quantity of omega 3 acids. However, it is justified given how inexpensive the product is.
Its quality is good but it is not sterling. Its mercury levels are 5 parts of mercury per a billion. While this is quite low and is generally considered to be safe, it is still quite high as compared to the mercury levels in other omega 3oil supplements. However, the PCB levels are at low levels that are undetectable.
This product has a lot of ingredients, most of which are not pure. This makes it less of an option if you desire to use a product that is as natural as possible. The list of Nature’s Bounty Fish Oil contains preservatives, coatings, and stabilizers. If taking a natural product is not such a big deal to you, then you can just ignore this aspect and benefit from the nutrition that this product provides.
Pros
- Multiple tests are done to ensure capsule safety and potency
- Your body will absorb the oil faster since the soft gel breaks down fast and releases the oil into our system
- There are high levels of EPA and DHA in each capsule
Cons
- They have a fish smell and fishy smell
- The capsules are large, making them hard to swallow
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The History of Fish Oil
The use of fish oil goes many years back. Its popularity has recently picked up as a result of the fatty omega acids that can be found in this product. This oil can be used to treat so many diseases and it can also be used to promote good health among users. One of the products that are popularly given to kids is cod liver oil. It provides kids with the nutrition and supplements that they need as they are growing up. There are different kinds of fish oil. All these variants mainly include cod liver oil and other substances that were manufactured in England during the industrial revolution. Nevertheless, due to the pollution of rivers at that time with industrial waste, a lot of the cod died. Consequently, it was not possible to continue producing cod liver oil anymore.
Due to the developments that have been made in the production of fish oil, fish oil nowadays tend to have a higher concentration of omega 3 fatty acids in the oil. This oil can be used as a remedy for many health conditions. Many people prefer to eat the fish directly instead of taking the cod liver oil. The downside to this is that the fish might have many toxins in them and if you eat this fish on a regular basis, then you are exposing yourself to the harmful effects that these toxins can have on your body. Therefore, the best way to ensure that you consume the required omega 3 fatty acids is to take pharmaceutically processed fish oil in small doses on a regular basis. Lots of pharmaceutical companies are in the business of processing fish oil for consumption.
Once you start taking this oil, you should expect the benefits that come with it. This includes better memory, ability to concentrate better, better heart health and being able to work for extended periods of time while being able to maintain your stamina. The oil also acts as an anti-inflammatory and can help to keep away aches and pains in your body, especially if you have joint pain or arthritis. You will also greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer and other ailments and it can also help you not get depressed. Due to technological advancements, the processing of this oil has been refined to such an extent that all the unnecessary fatty acids have been reduced and only the distilled fish oil is remaining.
It is important to ensure that your child consumes fish oil on a regular basis. It will help in proper development of their brains, which will help them perform better in school. You can make your children get in the habit of taking this supplement. Have your doctor prescribe small doses of this supplement for your child to be taking.
Fish Oil Benefits
Nutritionists and health researchers observed that eating a Mediterranean diet can be quite good for someone’s health. This is one of the things that helped to make fish oil popular, as many people realized that they needed omega 3 fatty acids.
In 1998, de Lorgeril, Patricia Salen, and Jean-Louis Martin, who are French, carried out a study that looked at people who had coronary heart disease. They investigated the diet that these people ate.
When factors such as age and smoking were held constant, these researchers found out that people who ate a Mediterranean kind of diet had lower chances of getting cancer. They were almost more likely to survive and recover from cardiovascular diseases. A Mediterranean diet is a diet that is rich in fish fruits, vegetables, and fish oil.
Keep in mind that these people who were being investigated already had heart disease.
One of the key things about a Mediterranean diet is that it has plenty of healthy oils in the form of fish oil and olive oil. Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in fish. This is a kind of polyunsaturated oil that provides lots of benefits to the body when consumed.
There are so many benefits that can be obtained from omega 3 fatty oils. In 1996, experts from the University of Michigan were able to find out that omega 3 fatty oils play a big role in fighting cancer, especially when it came to prostate cancer. This was when they were examining omega 3 fatty acids in a petri dish under a microscope in a lab.
Once they noted this, researchers tried to transfer their lab findings and implement them in real life. This resulted in a number of clinical trials. Some of the trials were done in not very well controlled environments, while other trials were carried out in big multi-centers.
In order to come up with conclusive facts, it is important that you do not just look at one study, no matter how well it has been done. You need to look at various studies that have been carried out on the same topic by different researchers so that you can compare the different findings. This is known as meta-analyses.
There is one such study- meta-analysis-that was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This was a study done by experts who were based at various Boston Medical Centers. They compared the results of 46 studies that were done on omega 3 fatty acids.
After comparing all the 46 types of research, experts concluded that consuming omega 3 fatty acids was advantageous. This was whether the fatty acids were obtained from health supplements or from consuming natural fish. Omega fatty acids helped in decreasing chances of sudden death, heart disease and might help in protecting against stroke.
It seems contradictory to state that taking in more fat can help to reduce chances of heart conditions happening. But the omega fatty acid works by minimizing blood triglycerides, which is one of the main factors that can lead to heart problems.
According to research done by Guy D. Eslick and other experts based at the University of Western Sydney in Australia, the oil that is derived from the fish helps to reduce blood triglycerides in a major way without having any effect on cholesterol.
Apart from good heart health, there are other benefits that can be obtained as well. This is according to a 1996 study that was carried out by experts in the UK. The more fish oil that you consumed in your diet, the lower the possibility that you will suffer from colorectal or breast cancer.
More research shows that omega 3 fatty acids can help to play a huge role in preventing mental diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer. In 2009, Cochrane Collaboration published a review about the effects of omega fish oil and cognitive function. They found out that there is no definite superior quality clinical trials that showed that omega 3 fatty acids directly affected cognitive function. However, from observations that have been made and from circumstantial evidence and other studies, it has been noted that omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil can particularly affect cognitive function in a positive way.
Fish Oil Side Effects
Even though lots of research still needs to be done on the advantages of using fish oil, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have stated that taking DHA and EPA omega 3 fatty acids can have a great effect on preventing heart disease, lupus, osteoporosis, mental health, depression, eye problems and some cancers. You can get omega 3 fatty acids from several sources. This includes walnuts, fish, flaxseed and flaxseed oil. However, there are negative side effects that can come about as a result of using omega 3 supplements.
These include:
- Bleeding
According to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), you should be careful about taking omega 3 fatty acids supplements if you have a blood disorder or even when you are on blood thinning medication. The National Institutes of Health states that there is increased risk of bleeding if you use these supplements and if you take more than the required dosage, then there is a risk of nose bleeding or seeing blood in your urine.
- Intestinal Discomfort
In 2003, the American Heart Association published a piece about Omega 3s in their Circulation magazine. In this article, they stated that some of the side effects of using this supplement include bloating, abdominal discomfort, burping, diarrhea, and acid reflux. In order to minimize the side effects of taking these supplements, Medline Plus recommended that it is best to take these supplements after taking your meals. You can start with a low dose and increase it gradually.
- Low Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, then you can greatly benefit from the effects this medicine produces of lowering blood pressure. However, if you have hypotension, then it might not be a good idea to take these supplements as they will lower your blood pressure even further.
- High Blood Sugar
According to the UMMC, omega 3 supplements can increase blood sugar. This can affect diabetes medications that are meant to reduce blood sugar levels. However, there are no long-term effects on blood sugar, according to Medline Plus. Therefore, if you are diabetic, you should talk to your doctor before you start taking these supplements.
- Hypotension
According to Medline Plus, if you are sensitive to fish or its products, then it is not a good idea to take this product. Other side effects that you might experience include a rash, mental disorientation and your liver not working properly.
When to Take Fish Oil Supplements
According to the American Heart Association, even though omega 3 fatty acids are good for heart health, the evidence is not strong enough for the propagation of widespread use of these oils for heart disease prevention.
According to an article that was published in Circulation, about fish oil supplementation and heart disease prevention, fish oil has omega 3 fatty acids, which is good for the heart. It helps to minimize chances of heart disease and it generally helps to improve one’s overall health. This is one of the reasons why the use of fish oil supplements has gone up, with up to 8% of the US population taking these supplements by 2012. However, there have been mixed reactions to the results of cardiovascular reactions to this supplement. According to the latest results, there is still no hard data to suggest that fish oil results in improved heart health.
There have been lots of clinical trials that have been carried out since 2002 in an effort to test the effect of fish oil supplements on the heart. Based on the results, experts have reason to believe that using these supplements can be beneficial to patients who have heart disease. It helps to minimize chances of death or getting hospitalized. Patients who have a history of heart problems can also benefit from using these supplements.
There isn’t any conclusive evidence about how fish oil affects various conditions, such as diabetes, stroke and atrial fibrillation.
It is advisable that you consult a doctor before you start taking these supplements. Even though these supplements are generally safe, it is important that you discuss any health risks with your doctor.
Fish Oil Nutritional Background
Fish oil mainly consists of fatty acids. It has omega 3 fatty acids that are known as DHA and EPA.
If you would like to know about what is contained in a spoonful of fish oil or 4g of fish oil that is extracted from sardines, here is the breakdown:
- 40.6 calories
- 4.5 grams fat, out of which 1.5 grams is saturated fat
- 14.9 international units vitamin D (4 percent DV)
- 1,084 mg omega-3 fatty acids
- 90.6 mg omega-6 fatty acids
- It doesn’t have any protein, salt, sugar or fiber.
It is important that you always check the label on the product since the specific nutritional value will be based on the product that you are using and the fish from which the oil was extracted from.
Recommended Dosage
During clinical trials, researchers often use 1g-3g of fish oil in a day. If you have heart disease, then according to the American Heart Association, you should be taking 1000 mg of fish oil in a day. If you want to reduce blood triglycerides, then you need to take more fish oil. You can take 2g-4g of fish oil in a day.
There is no suggested dosage for healthy people. They are just advised to consume fish rich in omega 3 oil on a regular basis and other foods such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil. However, if you want something more concrete, then you can start by consuming 1g in a day.
Can Fish Oil Cause Prostate Cancer?
In 2013, the results of a study that was carried out on 2,227 men were printed in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 38% of all these men had prostate cancer. This study showed that 71% of the men who consumed high quantities of fish oil had a chance of getting high-grade prostate cancer. They also had a 43% chance of getting other types of prostate cancer.
The researcher, Theodore Brasky, from the Ohio State University Medical Center argued that men who were taking fish oil were getting huge amounts of omega oil and this had hazardous results.
The American Heart Association defines a mega dose as a dose that is more than 3g of fish oil on a daily basis. If you want to take more than 3g of fish oil, then you must do this under the medical supervision of your doctor. There are some doctors who are of the opinion that 2g is a mega dose.
Does this mean that you should give up fish oil? Absolutely not, but it means that you should reduce your dosage quantities. It is also important that you check the brand of oil that you are using.
What could cause prostate cancer is the lack of balance that happens in your body when you consume too much omega 3 fatty acids. There should be a balance between omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids. The work of the omega 3 acid in your body is to suppress inflammation, while the work of the omega 6 fatty acids is to promote inflammation. Inflammation is important in your body because it helps to activate white blood cells in your body. This helps to defend your body and keep you in good health.
Therefore, consuming lots of omega 3 fatty acids throws your body out of balance and weakens your immunity. This makes it more likely for you to contract cancer. That is why it is important that you be cautious even when you are using supplements. More does not always necessarily mean good. Be cautious when using fish oil supplements and other supplements as well.
Summary
Using the fish oil can be good for your health. It can help improve your cardiovascular health, as well as improve your general well-being as well. Therefore, this is a long-term and painful way to help you stay healthy.
If you are healthy and you already consume fish that produce omega 3 fatty acids on a regular basis, then there is no need for you to take fish oil supplements. However, if you are not already eating these fish, then you need to start using supplements. You can start with a low dose. Start by taking 1g and gradually increase it. You need to read the label so that you know how much omega 3 fatty acids you are actually consuming. In some cases, the supplement might have more of fish oil than omega 3 fatty acids.
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Conclusion
Now that you understand how important fish oil is for your overall health, you want to ensure that you are using the best fish oil supplements that you can find in the market. This can help you get the maximum benefit from this product and enable you to get value for your money.
There are so many supplements in the market; you might get confused about which one is the best one for you. When selecting the best fish oil supplement, some key considerations to think about when choosing a fish oil supplement is the purity of the oil, the amount of omega 3 fatty acids that it actually has and the ingredients used to make it and which fish it was extracted from. You also have to buy a product that has been processed by a reputable company. This increases the chances that they are going to sell you a quality product.
Out of all the supplements that have been discussed here, no doubt that PurityLabs Omega 3 Fish Oil Supplement meets most of these attributes, making it one of the best fish oil supplements.
Safety is a top priority that is why this company take extra steps and use a Hexane-free molecular distillation process (very few brands use this process, that is why they can sell bulk capsules for less) to ensure the removal of potentially harmful additives. When you Combine our industry best manufacturing processes and the use of natural ingredients like rosemary extract and natural Tocopherols instead of artificial preservatives to maintain freshness and potency it is easy to see why hundreds of thousands of customers choose Purity Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil.
