As you browse this category, remember to avoid guessing when shopping for supplements or over-the-counter medications and seek clinical advice as often as necessary**
Omega 3
Should you just look to supplement your omega-3 fatty acids or plan to lower your cholesterol a notch, look no further! As a general rule, fish oil is a much-needed nutrient but maximizing its benefits is a very tricky job. First and foremost, what we do not want in fish oil is: mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, and vitamin A. Omega 3 safety depends on its source, so check the label. I like to know the amounts of EPA/DHA fractions (and others) in order to dose it properly. I also prefer a product that did not come straight from the fish. Don’t get me wrong, I like natural products, but don’t like mercury and PCBs. It is safer and better to take fewer softgels at once, so pick a product that has the appropriate EPA/DHA content for you. They all must be taken with food as a tiny amount of oil/fat is needed in the gut to let the pancreas know to release the enzymes needed for absorption. With these said, take a look and let me know if I can be of help in selecting the right omega-3 supplements for you.
The availability of supplements and over-the-counter medications varies across the globe. Thus a specific product that I recommend here may not be available in your area. If that is the case, a reliable alternate option will be displayed for you. These selections and their alternatives are NOT automatically picked by a computer algorithm but evaluated by myself for the reliability of their active & inactive ingredients, length of time on the market (postmarketing surveillance), and past customers’ feedback.
| Dr. Alice’s Recommendation | Product Link |
|---|---|
| This product has one of the best ratios of quality vs. price. It contains purified omega 3s and thus has minimal possible contamination with mercury or PCBs. A great and effective everyday supplement, however, may be less effective in lowering your LDL or TGs due to the lower EPA content (360mg EPA, 240mg DHA, EPA/DHA ratio 1.5). You may double the dose to 2 softgels but not more at once as it may upset the stomach or gut. Does not contain flavor enhancers which means that different individuals may appreciate its taste differently – have that in mind. Yet, it is a product you can trust. |
Solgar Omega-3 700mg per capsule |
| A more recently launched product bringing the benefit of a lemony aftertaste. The amounts of EPA/DHA are comparable to Solgar (ratio 1.44), however, the price is better and what I like most about it is the bit of Vitamin E it provides – nice extra! One may take one daily for maintenance or one with each meal for a more aggressive supplementation. | Omega-3 with Vitamin E |
| New formulation with outstanding strength: delivers 756mg EPA, 228mg DHA, and 1000IU vitamin D3 per softgel (an EPA/DHA ratio of 3.3). Hands down, my favorite omega-3 supplement! This product is designed to control inflammation, provide immunity and fight both LDL and TG cholesterol effectively. Among the advantages: taken with every meal provides over 2g of EPA daily; delivers an effective amount of vitamin D (3000IU daily); has the advantage of taking one softgel instead of 3 (generally 2 omega softgels and one vitamin D softgel) which may provide too much filler and upset the stomach/gut. Comes from a well-established supplements manufacturer and is, in my opinion, one of the best products I found on the market. | Garden of Life Platinum Omega-3 |
| This supplement provides one of the highest EPA/DHA ratios on the market: 2.65. It delivers 690mg EPA and 260mg DHA per softgel, which is literally pure omega for each dose. I anticipate the maximized effectiveness as it also provides exceptional quality and has considerable postmarketing surveillance. Last, but not least, is made with fish oil from wild-caught fish – quite an achievement! | Triple Strength Omega-3 from Sports Research |
| This product provides molecularly distilled omega 3 – 500mg EPA and 250mg DHA (EPA/DHA ration is 2, so expect enhanced effectiveness). Thus, it is the least likely to be mercury of PCBs contaminated and can be administered as double dose for enhanced cholesterol-lowering effect. | Molecularly Distilled and Enteric Coated Omega-3 |
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. None of these products is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Dr. Alice Talks is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.