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Top 5 Fish Oil Supplements in 2024
Should you be taking a fish oil supplement? Here’s what to look for and what to try to avoid when choosing a fish oil supplement.
You’ve likely heard by now that omega-3’s are a must-have in just about any wellness routine.
Heavily researched and studied for their whole body-supporting benefits, these essential healthy fats are crucial to human development and healthy aging, as well as cognitive, heart, joint, skin, and overall health.*
That’s why more and more people are now turning to fish oil supplements as a way to safely and effectively get all the daily omega-3s they need for vibrant health.*
Omega-3: Why Everybody Can Benefit
- Since your body cannot produce omega-3 on its own, these crucial healthy fats must be consumed through diet or supplementation.
- Most individuals’ diets are sorely lacking in this healthy fat, despite it being essential to every area of human health. Studies suggest that supplementation in addition to food sources may need to be considered to help American adults meet recommendations.
- There are 3 main types of omega-3 fatty acids: DHA, EPA, and ALA. These are essential components in the brain. DHA, in particular, makes up a large percentage of the omega-3s in the brain and is thought to be important for supporting brain health.
Not All Fish Oils Are Created Equally!
With a saturated market containing thousands of fish oil supplement options, choosing the right high-quality omega-3 product can seem pretty daunting.
So how can you be sure that you’re investing in a quality fish oil supplement that will actually satisfy your needs?
When choosing a fish oil supplement, there are some things you may want to consider:
The Must-Haves for a Good Fish Oil Supplement
- EPA & DHA Content
Ideally, a high-quality fish oil supplement should contain at least 500mg of DHA and EPA combined for maximum efficacy. Always avoid products that don’t include the exact amounts of DHA and EPA on the label, as this may be a big red flag.
- Fresh From The Source
Fish oil supplements can become ineffective and potentially harmful when they sit on store shelves for extended periods of time. It’s always best to purchase your fish oil directly from the source whenever possible through a reputable online shop to avoid expired or rancid products.
- Third Party Lab Testing
It’s especially important that your fish oil supplement has been independently lab tested and verified to be free from any heavy metals (like mercury) or other toxic contaminants, with certificates of analysis available upon request. This way, you can rest assured that the product you choose is the purest, safest, and most transparent option possible.
Perhaps even more important, there are certain red flags to be wary of when evaluating a fish oil supplement.
Warning Signs of Potential Scams
- Lack of Clinical Studies
- Unproven Ingredients
With fish oil supplements, less is more and PURE, straight from the source is BEST. Other herbs and compounds billed as fish oil hybrids have little clinical evidence to back their effectiveness. Watch out for supplements that include an extensive list of ingredients to create the illusion of comprehensive support. More is not necessarily better when it comes to your health. Some of the supplements we reviewed contained more than 10 unique ingredients claiming to be a hybrid oil!
Top 5 Fish Oil Supplements of 2024
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the top fish oil supplements available today, which provides a summary of our research and analysis:
Below, we break down our rankings and feature detailed reviews of the 5 best fish oil products we analyzed, beginning with our top pick.
A+
Overall Grade
Pros
- Clinically tested by independent third party
- Contains must-have, safe, pure ingredients
- No fillers or artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Available online in the United States, but not currently sold in retail stores
The Bottom Line
We gave ClearOmega-3 by Nutrify our #1 ranking because it is the only fish oil supplement that meets every one of our strict criteria.
ClearOmega-3 by Nutrify is a premium fish oil supplement that features 720 mg marine lipid oil, 432 mg of EPA, 288 mg of DHA. This omega-3 formula comes in easy-to-take softgels with no fishy aftertaste. The convenient serving size of one softgel per day makes this omega-3 fish oil supplement easy to add to any wellness routine.
As all high-quality supplements should be, ClearOmega-3 is third-party lab tested and made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. The brand also offers great deals if you purchase multiple bottles at once.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
A-
Overall Grade
Pros
- Includes Vitamin E
- No artificial additives
Cons
- Serving size
- Omega-3 content
The Bottom Line
OmegaXL is a fish oil supplement that contains omega-3s from green-lipped mussel oil harvested in New Zealand. Like some other products featured, this formula also combines omega-3s with vitamin E and comes in softgel form.
However, at two softgels taken 2-3 times daily, the serving size is one downside as it can be inconvenient to incorporate as part of a daily routine.
Due to the complicated nature of delivery and inconvenient serving recommendations, this isn’t the best product for most consumers.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
B
Overall Grade
Pros
- 2840 mg Omega-3s per serving
- Lemon flavor
- Third-party tested
Cons
- Taken as a liquid, ease of use
- Limited return policy
The Bottom Line
Ultimate Omega is an omega-3 supplement by Nordic Naturals that contains 1460 mg EPA, 1010 mg DHA. This quality supplement is to be taken as a liquid at 1 teaspoon per day.
However since this is a liquid formula the taste and smell of fish oil even with a lemon flavor may not fit every users needs. This formula also does not include vitamin E and only comes with a 30-day return policy.
We recommend passing on this one.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
4.
B
Overall Grade
Pros
- 300 quantity count per bottle
- No artificial additives
- Vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free
Cons
- Fishy smell
- Serving size is small (need to take multiple capsules)
The Bottom Line
Nature Made Fish Oil is a dietary supplement that provides 300 mg Omega-3 fatty acids per softgel to help support a healthy heart.
Customers like the heart health, brain health, and inflammation benefits of the nutritional supplement. They mention that it’s a nice supplement for your health, keeps your heart healthy, and easy to swallow. Customers are also happy with ease of swallowing, quality, and value. However, some customers differ on size and smell.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.
5.
B
Overall Grade
Pros
- DHA & EPA
- Includes other fatty acids
- Third-party tested
Cons
- No complex vitamin workup
- Serving size
The Bottom Line
Nature’s Bounty Fish Oil is a solid option for an affordable omega-3 supplement. It contains both EPA and DHA fatty acids and is made and third-party tested in the USA. The formula comes in a softgel form.
However, it’s good to be aware that the daily serving size may be fairly inconvenient to some as users are recommended to take 1 softgel 3 times a day with meals. This would mean having to always carry the product along whenever eating out.
* Results may vary and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using this product. Please visit product website for more information.