Best Fish Oil? ConsumerLab.com Tests 44 Popular Omega-3 Supplements and Identifies Its Top Picks

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – White Plains, New York – September 13, 2016 — Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing EPA and DHA are among the most popular supplements, and clinical studies suggest a wide range of potential benefits, from improving mental health to treating inflammatory disease. There is emerging evidence that omega-7s, another type of fatty acid found in fish, may have health benefits as well. However, it can be difficult to choose one which best suits an individual’s needs in terms of EPA/DHA ratio, dose, and form (such as ethyl ester vs. triglyceride), let alone know which actually contain what’s listed on the label. To help, ConsumerLab.com purchased, tested, reviewed and compared 44 popular products — including those for adults, children, and pets sold as capsules, tablets, liquids, and chews. Most were made from fish oil, but some were made from krill oil, algal oil, cod liver oil, calamari oil, green-lipped mussel oil or sea buckthorn oil.

Among the 28 supplements ConsumerLab.com selected for testing, three did not contain their expected amounts of EPA and/or DHA or other expected ingredients (such as phospholipids or astaxanthin in krill oil). These results were confirmed in a second independent laboratory. In addition, a widely promoted “Omega” supplement was found to contain only a tiny amount of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Each product was also tested for spoilage and contamination with lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and PCBs. Enteric-coated capsules were tested to see if they properly released their ingredients.

Fortunately, ConsumerLab.com found many products which contained what they claimed, without contamination, and found some provide high-quality EPA and DHA for as little as a few cents per day. Among these, ConsumerLab.com identified its Top Picks.

ConsumerLab.com’s Review of Fish Oil and Omega-3 and -7 Fatty Acid Supplementsis available online at https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/fish_oil_supplements_review/omega3/. It includes test results and quality comparisons for the following 44 products, 28 which were selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com and 16 which are included for having passed the same testing through CL’s voluntary Quality Certification Program: 1-800-PetMeds Omega 3 for Dogs & Cats, 21st Century Fish Oil, Amazing Nutritionals Omega 3 Chews, Andrew Lessman ProCap Essential Omega-3, Barlean’s Fresh Catch Fish Oil – Orange Flavor, Bayer Pro Ultra Omega-3, Carlson Elite Omega-3, Carlson Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, Doctor’s Best Omega-7, Dr. Sears’ Private Label Primal Force Omega Rejuvenol, Finest Nutrition (Walgreens) Fish Oil, GNC Triple Strength EPA 1000, GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil, Life Extension Super Omega-3, Members Mark [Sam’s Club] Fish Oil, Metagenics OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 500 EC, Minami Nutrition MorEPA Platinum – Orange Flavor, Natural Factors Ultra Strength RxOmega-3, Nature Made Fish Oil, Nature’s Bounty Mini Fish Oil, New Chapter Wholemega For Moms, Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, Nutrifi Omega-Q, NutriGold Krill Oil Gold, Omegavia, OmegaXL, Ora Nothing Fishy Here Organic Pineapple Burst, Ovega-3, Pure Encapsulations O.N.E. Omega, Puritan’s Pride Premium Mini Gel Omega-3 Fish Oil, Renew Life Omega Smart Kids DHA Fruit Punch, Schiff MegaRed Extra Strength, SeabuckWonders Sea Buckthorn Oil Blend Omega-7 Complete, Solgar Omega-3 950, Source Naturals Vegan True Non-Fish Omega-3s, Spectrum Essentials Prenatal DHA, Spring Valley [Walmart] Fish Oil, Swanson Omega-3 Fish Oil, USANA Biomega, Vitacost KriaXanthin Antarctic Krill Oil, Vitamin World Ester-Omega, Viva Labs Krill Oil, Viva Labs Ultra Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil, Wellsona Brain Health Omega and Zesty Paws Pure Salmon Oil.

The report also includes information about a product which is similar to one which passed testing. Extensive referenced clinical information is also provided regarding use of fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, cancer, eye disease, psychiatric and cognitive disorders, and in pregnancy. The Review also provides expert tips on how to buy and use fish oil and other marine oil supplements, including information about dosage, potential side effects, and drug interactions.

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