Your Guide To Choosing An Omega 3 Supplement Brand

The popularity of omega 3 is widespread enough that you may come across it mentioned multiple times in your favorite magazine or online wellness and lifestyle blog. The answer to whether the hype is justified—is yes.  Omega 3 is a top-notch source of numerous health benefits for everyone, from babies to the elderly. However, you can’t go for just any omega 3 supplement; prioritize the best quality. 

You need to look out for a brand that values your health—a feat more challenging than you think. The very nature of omega 3 fish oil makes it tricky to process. The fact that there is a wide market of omega 3 brands out there makes your journey to find the perfect supplement all the more interesting! 

What Omega 3 Supplement Brand Is Best For You?

If you’re not getting sufficient omega 3s from foods like fatty fish, it’s high time you consider incorporating an omega 3 supplement into your diet. There are numerous options available in terms of physical form, namely liquid fish oil, softgels, and capsules. You also get to choose between numerous brands of omega-3 supplements. 

But how can you determine which one is the right choice for you? Let’s delve into the key characteristics of an excellent omega 3 supplement. By following the tips below, you’ll be able to confidently select your omega 3 supplement brand!

• Check EPA and DHA Amount

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids—and the superheroes of the omega-3 world. These hold the magic behind the amazing potential of omega 3 fish oil supplements. Whenever you read about a medical study on omega 3, it’s the combination of EPA and DHA that needs credit. 

The ideal dosage standard for combined EPA/DHA is set at 2 to 3 grams (2000 to 3000 mg) per day. Most supplements found in pharmacies and health food stores offer only 1 gram (1000 mg) of total omega 3 fatty acids per dose. Hence the reason you need to scour the selections and pick out a supplement that fulfills your daily requirements. Such a supplement packs a powerful punch, rich in potency and purity.

• Go For As Unprocessed As Possible

When it comes to liquid fish oil or fish oil softgels encasing that oil, your body is able to absorb over 90% of the supplement’s nutritional value. On the other hand, less than 35% of omega 3 nutrition gets into your bloodstream and to your organs when you go for highly-processed supplements.

Needless to say, you need an omega 3 supplement that closely matches the benefits you’d gain if eating a good amount of fish. Filter out any brands that process the oil through procedures like fractionalization, ethyl-etherization, or any other modification. These weaken the fatty acid chain, making it less effective. Fish oil cannot withstand high heat or constant external exposure without going bad. And if yours has been through these and remains resilient, it’s not pure—and, therefore, not very effective in improving your health.

• Look For “Cover-Ups”

Did you know that even low-quality fish oil, the kind just on the brink of going rancid, makes it to the aisles? To make matters worse, it can actually appear as a superior kind of fish oil!

Lucky for you, there are ways to tell if the fish oil is no good. To mask the unpleasantness of low-quality fish oil, manufacturers often resort to sneaky tactics, such as

• encapsulating the oil and adding excess flavoring
• adding copious amounts of preservatives

There are other ways of knowing that fish oil is low quality. Your body is not easily fooled by subpar oil. You’ll get those dreaded fishy burps, bad breath that sticks around, and an upset digestive system, possibly with pain. Of course, these signs are less about preventative measures, but you can take after-measures can avoid the scam brand the next time around.

In the meantime, look for a brand that has perfected the extraction process to deliver fish oil supplements that are fresh, smell—but like an ocean or salty waters—and have a pleasing taste 

• Avoid The Traps Of Other ‘Omegas’

Say you come across a brand that claims to have omegas 6 and 9 alongside omega 3. While this sounds impressive, the manufacturers want to divert your attention. They’re counting on the fact that the presence of all these omegas will impress you—and that you won’t stop to consider that omega 6 and omega 9 don’t offer the same advantages. Also, these other omegas are relatively cheaper to source and process. 

Therefore, not only do you not get enough omega 3, but pay the price of pure omega 3! You want to evade omega 6, which contains some properties opposite those of omega 3, such as its pro-inflammatory traits. On the other hand, pure omega 9 is quite beneficial for your health. However, its addition to ‘Omega 3’ supplements is a way to cut costs and make you pay a sum that does not equate to its value!

The Bottom Line

No two individuals are the same—and the same goes for choosing an Omega 3 supplement. You have different preferences and needs when compared to everyone else in the omega 3-consuming population. Are you someone who wants to improve gut health and digestion? Or do you prioritize avoiding the risk of cardiac issues? Maybe you’re more concerned about your skin and need a supplement that can prevent premature aging.

The point is that with omega 3 fish oil pills supplements there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You can choose the form and brand that align with your values and priorities. The great news is that there’s enough variety out there to meet any requirement. And at the end of the day, most omega 3 supplements have been proven to increase levels of EPA and DHA, as long as these are available in sufficient amounts. It’s important that you live a well-rounded lifestyle to fulfill any health goal, keeping your equal focus on food, exercise, and supplementation!