Omega 3 are one of the most interesting to improve our metabolism and health. However, omega-3 supplements come often oxidated or contaminated. So you must be careful with the product to buy. Here we'll go through the best omega 3 supplements found on the market!
The classification will be based on the product information. I personally haven't tried all of them, but it's easy to assess a supplement by looking at the ingredients, nutritional values, patent used,... So, in this rank, we'll base on:
Ingredients-
Content ω-3
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Price
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EPA/DHA
OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS
Omega 3 are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids containing an unsaturation on the carbon ω-3 (the last third carbon) (study). The main omega-3 of interest are EPA and DHA. These substances have shown to be extremely benefitial for our health and metabolism, modulating inflammation, brain function, muscle recovery and alterating the gut microbiota.
Western Diets are generally low in omega-3 and high in omega-6. Because the use the same transporter, we are interested on a ratio 3:1 (omega 6 / 3). However, ratios of 20:1, 30:1 or even higher are often found (study)
Benefits of EPA
EPAÂ has a quite strong antiinflamatory effect (study). The metabolites derived from EPA are antiinflamatory or less inflammatory than the metabolites produced from omega-6 fatty acids. Since both series (3 and 6) compete for the same receptor, the higher the omega 3, the lower the omega 6 (study). EPA metabolites also inhibit NF-kappa B, which is involved in the production of inflammatory cytokines (source).
These antiinflammatory effects will improve muscle recovery (study), the inmune system (study), and the gut microbiome composition (study)
Benefits of DHA
DHA is the main omega-3 fatty acid in the membrane of brain cells (study). Because it's able to cross the blood-brain-barrier, it's able to exert potent effect on our cognitive function and brain cells (study).
DHA, together with phosphaditylserine, show an improvement and prevention of mild depression and mental disorders (study). The metabolite derived from DHA, neuroprotectin D1 (NDP1), has been proved to prevent neuronal death and damage, block neuronal apoptosis and prevent stroke (study).
DHA play an important role in our brain, being fundamental for optimal brain function and cognition (study)
Wait to the last of the supplements... the best of the bests!!
BEST OMEGA 3 SUPPLEMENTS
To find the appropiate omega 3 supplement, look at the quality of the raw material and the ingredients. The label should only contain fish oil (or some other omega 3 source), capsule gel (and its components), and antioxidants (to prevent oxidation of the product).
The use of patents and stamps such as IFOS to ensure quality of the product, or WSO that bets for a sustainable fishing (source).
And to finish evaluating the product, look at the content in omega 3. And here, remember that all fish oil is not omega 3. Fish oil contains omega 3, but it also comes with other compounds. So check the amount of omega 3 coming per capsule and/or serving.
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Ingredients
10/10
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Content ω-3
7/10
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Price
9/10
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EPA/DHA
9/10
Amazon has done a great job with this supplement. With one of the best prices of the market, it contains 1280mg Omega-3 with a 59:41 ratio EPA/DHA per serving (2 softgels), and the ingredients are more than recommended. Fish oil, vitamin E as antioxidant, capsule gel and purified water to fill the softgel.
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Ingredients
10/10
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Content ω-3
7/10
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Price
9/10
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EPA/DHA
6/10
Nature Made provides a combined formulation of Omega 3 and Vitamin D, two of the best supplements to improve your metabolism (read about vitamin D). Per serving, it comes with 2400mg Omega 3, from which only 600mg are EPA+DHA. As a drawback, it doesn't specify the content of each EPA and DHA separately. But instead, comes with 2000 UI vitamin D. Very good option!
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Ingredients
8/10
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Content ω-3
9/10
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Price
9/10
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EPA/DHA
9/10
Once again, Life Extension has made an incredible product of omega-3. Per Serving, this supplement provides 700mg EPA and 500mg DHA, with a total of 1200mg Omega-3. It also contains sesame lignans and olive extract, compounds associated to brain and heart health (study)(study). As the cherry on the top of the cake, this supplement is IFOS-certified, ensuring the highest quality and purity on the market.
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Ingredients
9/10
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Content ω-3
10/10
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Price
5/10
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EPA/DHA
7/10
We are not in front of the cheapest option, but only one gel provides 1000mg omega-3... And this is what makes this supplement to be on this list. With only one gel a day you'll be good to go with your omega-3. It also comes with a sustainable seafood-certified, caring about the environment and making sure that all parts of the fish are used for human consumption. The product may be high-priced, but it is worth a try.
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Ingredients
9/10
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Content ω-3
10/10
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Price
9/10
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EPA/DHA
7/10
One of the best options on the market. IFOS-Certified to ensure a high-quality product, and 90% concentration Omega-3. With one serving, you'll be getting 2000mg Omega-3, from which 1400mg EPA and 480mg DHA. And for the high concentration of omega-3, the price is incredibly cheap. And, to make it even better, it comes on its triglyceride form, with the highest bioavailability to date. As the only drawback, the low content in DHA compared to EPA.
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Ingredients
10/10
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Content ω-3
10/10
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Price
10/10
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EPA/DHA
8/10
With the lowest price per unit, this supplement is a cheap and cost-effective option to consider. And all this with a very high quality product. Using IFOS and ALASKOMEGA, these guys have backed up their product to give you the best quality. Per softgel, it contains 1040mg omega 3 and a ratio 70:30 of EPA/DHA. And as the previous option, it comes on its triglycerides form, with the highest possible bioavailability.
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Ingredients
10/10
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Content ω-3
8/10
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Price
9/10
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EPA/DHA
9/10
Abrazo Nutrition offers a product with high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Per serving, it includes 4080mg fish oil, from which 2250mg are Omega-3. With a cost of 0.18$ per softgel, this product has a competitive price to drive your attention. And, it should do it. Real option to consider. It defends sustainable seafood and fishing, and it's thrid party tested for quality and content.
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Ingredients
10/10
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Content ω-3
8/10
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Price
7/10
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EPA/DHA
8/10
Since the main foods containing omega-3 are animal source, vegans or/and vegetarians are at higher risk of being omega-3 deficient. But the industry has found an alternative to fish oil to supplement your omega-3: Algae oil. In fact, it's algae what produces the omega-3, which is then ingested by the fish (study). However, the content of vegan omega-3 is lower when compared to other options, and the cost per unit increases slightly. Sacrifices of being vegan... 🙂
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Ingredients
7/10
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Content ω-3
8/10
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Price
9/10
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EPA/DHA
8/10
Not much to say about this supplement. Standard option to get your omega-3. Per serving, it includes 3600mg fish oil and 2160mg omega-3. With a ratio 60:40 of EPA/DHA, it provides one of the best ratios EPA/DHA on the market. Lemon flavor is achievied by natural flavourings, so no added harmful chemicals are added.
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Ingredients
10/10
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Content ω-3
10/10
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Price
7/10
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EPA/DHA
6/10
Nutrigold offers 1050mg Omega 3 per softgel, with EPA, DHA, and more interesting, DPA. The latest is another omega-3 fatty acids with potential benefits on our lipid metabolism and inflammation state (study). As a drawback, the ratio EPA/DHA far towards EPA. If you are considering taking omega-3 for its benefits on brain function, this supplement may not be for you... If you are, instead, interested on inflammation and lipid metabolism... KABOOM!
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Ingredients
10/10
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Content ω-3
9/10
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Price
8/10
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EPA/DHA
10/10
To end with the list of the Best Omega-3 Supplements on the market, we have a "big fish". Carlson uses wild caught norwegian fish to produce its supplement. Per serving, it includes 1,600 mg Omega-3 with a ratio EPA/DHA of 60:40. The lemon flavor is achieved by natural flavourings, and the ingredients list is impeccable. One of the best options on the market.
CONCLUSION
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for your health and metabolism. You can get your omega-3 from dietary sources, but fatty fish and other omega-3 sources are often limited and expensive.
In this post, we have seen the best omega 3 supplements on the market. A wide catalogue of options to make the last decision. Which one should I buy?
You are the only one having that answer. Consider how much omega-3 you need, and choose based on that.
