Best Fish Oil Supplements for Overall Health – Our Top Picks

Fish Oil is high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which contribute to your overall health by supporting joint, brain and eye health, among other benefits.

Fish oil is an incredibly popular supplement, as nearly 8% of US adults regularly use it, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

However, not all supplements are created equal, so we’ve made this guide on the best fish oil supplements to help you find a product that supports your health needs and lifestyle.

Fish oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that are essential to your wellbeing, as they help reduce inflammation, improve joint health and even boost mental health, but many Americans don’t meet their recommended intake through diet. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends eating two servings of (preferably fatty) fish a week, but not everyone likes oily fish or can eat the recommended amounts, which is where dietary supplements come in.

As we’ve written about previously on Supplements You Can Trust, fish oil supplements have a variety of health benefits, such as supporting brain function, immune response, and joint health. Whether you’re an athlete, a bodybuilder, or an average joe, the best fish oil supplements offer potent health benefits for people of all kinds.

A Quick Look at the Best Fish Oil Supplements

Although we are comparing like-for-like products, there can be significant variations in active ingredients due to variations in the raw ingredients and processing methods used to make fish oil. Our recommended fish oil supplements were chosen for the ingredient quality, ease of use, and affordability, so without further ado, here are our picks for the best fish oil supplements:

Pros and Cons of Fish Oil Supplements

Although Omega-3 fatty acids have many impressive benefits, fish oil supplements aren’t right for everyone, and they come with some potentially serious side effects. So, whether you’re looking for the best fish oil supplements or considering ditching your fishy pills, here are the pros and cons of fish oil supplements:

CONS:

1. Fishy Taste

Unsurprisingly, fish oil supplements can taste extremely fishy and leave an unpleasant aftertaste even when you wash them down with a drink. While many manufacturers claim to filter out the impurities that cause the fishy flavor (or mask it with lemon extract), many fish oil supplements will leave a bad taste in your mouth…

2. Stomach Issues

Taking fish oil supplements may cause stomach issues – such as indigestion, nausea, and loose stools – especially in people with gastrointestinal issues like Crohn’s Disease. Fortunately, many of the best fish oil supplements use enteric coatings, which keep the capsules from dissolving until they reach the small intestine and remove most potential stomach issues.

3. May Worsen Bleeding or Blood Pressure Issues

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warn against taking high-dose omega-3 supplements with blood thinning medication, as they can increase the risk of bleeding or easy bruising. Although these drug interactions are relatively rare, you should ask your doctor about taking fish oil supplements if you’re on any blood-thinning medicine.

4. Incomplete Nutritional Profile

While fish oil supplements are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, they lack other nutrients in oily fish like sardines, which are an excellent source of vitamin B12. While some of the best fish oil supplements contain added nutrients like vitamin B12, eating oily fish (if you enjoy it and have easy access to a good grocery store) is a better option for rounded nutrition.

PROS:

1. Convenience

Fish oil supplements are a much easier way of getting your recommended intake of Omega-3 fatty acids than food sources, as they require no cooking, can be safely stored for years, and are easy to take.

2. Cost

Gram for gram, fish oil supplements are a much cheaper source of Omega-3 fatty acids than natural food sources, and the best fish oil supplements help you get your daily recommended intake of Omega-3 fatty acids for less.

3. Concentration

Some fish oil supplements feature extremely high concentrations of Omega-3s, with some brands containing more Omega-3s than an entire serving of salmon!

Types of Fish Oil Supplements

As the old saying goes, “there are plenty of fish in the sea”, and there are plenty of types of fish oil supplements available, ranging from natural green-lipped mussel oil to DHA-enriched fish oil. The main difference lies in how it’s processed, so we’ve listed the properties of each of the main types to help you find the best fish oil supplements for your needs:

Natural Fish Oil

Derived from the flesh of fatty fish like herring, mackerel, sardines and salmon, the Omega-3 fatty acids in natural fish oil are mostly present in their triglyceride forms, which means they can be easily absorbed.

Processed Fish Oil

Many food chemists convert the triglycerides into ethyl esters during the refinement of fish oil, which allows them to adjust the concentrations of DHA and EPA to try and create the best fish oil supplements.

Reformed Fish Oil

After refinement, chemists can convert the ethyl esters back into triglycerides to improve absorption, and the finished fish oil is often termed “reformed.”

RELATED: Read our blog on the differences between cod liver oil and fish oil to learn more about the benefits of Omega-3s.

Capsules

The most common form of fish oil supplements is capsules and softgels, as they are easy to swallow and mask the fishy taste. Furthermore, some of the best fish oil supplements are enteric coated, which minimises the risk of stomach issues even in higher doses.

Liquid

You can also buy fish oil in a bottle, which allows you to adjust your preferred dose easily, but it tends to be less popular, since there is no ignoring the taste and smell in this form.

Conclusion

While Omega-3 fatty acids have some amazing health benefits – helping tackle inflammation and fatty liver whilst supporting heart, eye and mental health – there are some potential side effects you need to be aware of. Fortunately, fish oil is widely considered safe, and the best fish oil supplements are designed to minimise any downsides like fishy aftertaste.

As a final word of warning, you should avoid high-strength omega-3 supplements if you take blood-thinning medication due to potential interactions and always consult a medical professional before starting a new supplement routine.