These Are 7 of The Best Omega-3 Supplements for Heart Health
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Taylor Leamey Former Senior Writer
Taylor Leamey wrote about all things wellness for CNET, specializing in mental health, sleep and nutrition coverage. She has invested hundreds of hours into studying and researching sleep and holds a Certified Sleep Science Coach certification from the Spencer Institute. Not to mention the years she spent studying mental health fundamentals while earning her bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. She is also a Certified Stress Management Coach.
- Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach
Omega-3s are known to help reduce inflammation, support brain health and keep your immune system in check. They’re also important for heart health and fetal development. Unlike some nutrients, your body can’t make omega-3s on its own. If you eat fish regularly, you’re probably getting enough from your diet. However, if you don’t eat omega-3 rich foods often, have high triglycerides or a history of heart problems, it might be worth adding a supplement to your daily routine. We’ve rounded up the best omega-3 supplements to help you find one that best fits your needs. Remember, before you start taking an omega-3 supplement, be sure to check with your doctor about the right dosage, especially if you’re on blood thinners.
Best Omega-3 Supplements
Pros
- The GNC Mini softgels are smaller than the average size of omega-3 supplements, which is good for people who have trouble swallowing large pills.
- ConsumerLab tested and approved
- Free of heavy metals.
Cons
- Smaller pills, but you have to take two of them
Omega-3 supplements commonly have fairly large pills, generally measuring from half an inch to an inch. For some, that poses a problem. GNC offers an alternative with its mini fish oil softgels. The GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil Mini wins the best overall omega-3 supplement for its size and concentration of omega-3s.
The small softgels are enteric-coated, which means there’s a polymer applied to the outside of the softgel to keep it from dissolving in the stomach. The softgels then move to the small intestine, where they are digested and released. It also means there isn’t a fishy aftertaste.
GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil Mini has a good concentration of omega-3s EPA (734 mg) and DHA (266 mg).
Omega-3 content per serving: 1,065 mg of omega-3 per two softgels
Pros
- A must for people who want to buy in bulk at an affordable price
- USP certification
Cons
- Other options on the list have a higher omega-3 dose
- These fish oil capsules aren’t enteric coated, which means there is nothing to hide that fishy aftertaste
If you prefer to buy in bulk, you might want to consider the Kirkland Signature Natural Fish Oil supplement. It’s inexpensive at $18 for 400 capsules. This omega-3 supplement doesn’t have all the bells and whistles other brands have. It’s a basic, no-fuss option for people who don’t need a high dose of fish oil. Kirkland Signature fish oil supplement only includes 300mg of EPA and DHA per softgel. That’s significantly less than other brands, but taking one capsule twice daily puts it closer to the rest in terms of dosage.
The softgel capsules are long and narrow to make them easier to swallow. Still, the pills are large and some reviewers suggest they are hard to swallow.
Omega-3 content per serving: 300mg omega-3 per softgel
Pros
- Orange flavor that doesn’t leave a fishy taste
- It has a five-star rating from International Fish Oil Standards
Cons
- You only get a 60-day supply for $35. It’s slightly more expensive than other options on the list
When it comes to fish oil and omega-3 supplements, taste matters, Barlean’s Ideal Omega-3 Softgels are great for those who want to avoid the fishy taste that some omega-3 supplements have. It features an orange flavor that covers the smell and taste of fish oil so that you can get the benefits without the unpleasant side effects — fishy burps and aftertaste. User reviews say these orange omega-3 supplements don’t leave a fishy aftertaste in their mouth.
The dosage for this omega-3 supplement is one softgel, which users point out is rather large. However, the softgel form makes them easy to swallow. You get 750mg of EPA and 250mg of DHA omega-3s with one softgel.
Omega-3 content per serving: 1,000mg of omega-3 per softgel
Pros
- User reviews say these fish oil gummies are delicious and don’t have a fishy taste
- Flavors are strawberry, lemon and orange
Cons
- 3 grams of added sugar per serving
- Significantly lower omega-3 content than other brands
There’s a gummy supplement for everything — omega-3s included. Nature Made Fish Oil Gummies are a great option for people looking for a yummy way to intake a low dose of omega-3s. The two-serving dose only includes 47.5mg of DHA and 9.5mg of EPA omega-3s. Because of the low dose, it’s not the best choice if you’re deficient in omega-3s; it’s better suited for people who already get most of it from their diet but are looking for a little boost.
Nature Made Fish Oil Gummies are free of any synthetic flavors or colors. The fish sources are wild, deep ocean water fish, not from raised farms. These fish oil gummies are also USP certified for quality and purity.
Omega-3 content per serving: 57mg of omega-3s per two gummies.
Pros
- Gluten- and GMO-free
- Has earned a five-star certification from IFOS
- Fish source in this product is sustainably-caught anchovies from off the coast of Chile
Cons
- The packaging on the bottle says “small” softgels; however, some customer reviews point out that while they may be smaller than other brands, they are not truly small.
- The serving size is two capsules twice daily with meals
For those looking to add an omega-3 supplement for heart health, consider the Life Extension Super Omega-3 Supplement. It features a formula of DHA, EPA, olive extract and sesame lignans for an antioxidant and antimicrobial supplement. Research shows that olive leaf extract and sesame can help prevent heart disease.
Life Extension’s omega-3 supplement carries a five-star certification from IFOS. It’s also gluten-free and non-GMO. This omega-3 supplement delivers a solid dose of both DHA (500mg) and EPA (700mg). However, that is a trade-off of serving size. Instead of the standard one or two capsules a day, Life Extension requires two capsules twice a day with food.
Omega-3 content per serving: 1,200mg of Omega-3s per four softgels
Pros
- Certified vegan and gluten-free
- Truvani is also tested for chemicals and heavy metals
Cons
- Customer reviews say this vegan omega-3 supplement doesn’t have the best aftertaste
Omega-3 supplements are typically derived from fish. However, there are plant-based omega-3 supplements available, too. The best of these is Truvani Plant-Based Omega, an algae omega-3 dietary supplement.
With a two-capsule serving size, you get 500mg of DHA omega-3s. This vegan omega-3 supplement is minimally processed and doesn’t impact ocean life. Truvani offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee if you’re not pleased with the product.
Omega-3 content per serving: 500mg of DHA omega-3s
Pros
- Third-party tested and approved by ConsumerLab
- Subtle lemon flavor that can mix easily into drinks or food, according to reviews.
Cons
- Nordic Naturals Liquid Fish Oil has a very high concentration of omega-3s, which may be too much for some
Most fish oil supplement pills are large, significantly larger than other capsules. This poses a problem for people who have a hard time swallowing pills. Liquid omega-3 offers a way to boost your intake without having to worry about large capsules. Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Liquid omega-3 supplement is free from artificial additives and fillers.
Nordic Natural is a well-known brand that offers the best liquid fish oil supplement. The serving size is one teaspoon, with the highest concentration of omega-3s on the list. Each serving contains 1,470mg of EPA and 1,010mg of DHA in triglyceride form. Research suggests that the triglyceride form may be better absorbed in the body.
Omega-3 content per serving: 2,470mg of omega-3 per one teaspoon
When choosing the best omega-3 supplements, we considered factors like cost, dosage, form and quality. We also researched each product’s customer reviews to compare the capsules’ texture, taste and size. We didn’t test these products in-house. We relied on third-party certifications to determine the quality and purity of the products.
The market is flooded with brands offering omega-3 supplements. Knowing which is the best fit for you can be difficult. When shopping, keep these things in mind:
- Supplement type: Omega-3 supplements are known for large capsules. Maybe people in product reviews call them “horse pills.” Because of this, it’s more important than ever to consider the form of supplement that best fits your needs. There are mini capsules, gummies and liquid options if you have trouble swallowing large pills.
- Dosage: The products across the fish oil market vary by dosage. Determining how much you should take depends on your diet, needs and potential medication interactions.
- Fish oil source: Many brands source fish oil sustainably and responsibly. It’s possible to take an omega-3 supplement with no fish source; you just need to check the nutritional label, which states the source.
- Quality: The quality of a product can be determined by the ingredient label. Given the minimal regulations in the vitamin and supplement industry, it’s important to look for products with third-party testing that vouches for their quality and purity.
- Potential side effects: Taking omega-3 supplements does not by itself increase the risk of bleeding. However, if you are on blood thinners or other medications that affect your blood, your risk of bleeding could increase.
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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
