Omega-3

What this is. Fish oil — the EPA and DHA fats most diets are short on. Taken daily for heart, brain and joint health.

One softgel, 720 mg of actual omega-3. That is the number that matters on a fish oil, and it is the one most bottles do not lead with.

What you are actually getting, per softgel

• Omega-3 fatty acids — 720 mg, of which:
• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) — 432 mg
• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) — 288 mg

Also on the panel: 12 calories, 1.2 g total fat (1 g polyunsaturated, 0.2 g monounsaturated), 12 mg cholesterol.

Worth knowing before you buy

“1,000 mg fish oil” and “720 mg omega-3” are two different claims, and the difference is the whole game. The first is the weight of the oil in the capsule. The second is how much of that oil is EPA and DHA — the part the research is about. A typical 1,000 mg fish oil softgel carries somewhere around 300 mg of omega-3 and prints the 1,000.

This softgel is 1.2 g of oil carrying 720 mg of omega-3, so roughly 60% concentration. If you are comparing bottles, compare the EPA and DHA figures, not the capsule weight.

EPA and DHA are the forms with the human evidence behind them. ALA — the omega-3 in flax, chia and walnuts — converts into EPA and DHA very poorly in people, so a plant omega-3 is not a swap for this.

The natural lemon flavour is there to cut the fishy repeat. It mostly works.

How to take it

One softgel daily with 6–8 oz of water, ideally alongside a meal that contains some fat. 30 softgels — a 30-day supply.

Other ingredients

Gelatin, glycerol, water, natural lemon flavour.

Contains fish (anchovy). The softgel shell is gelatin, so this one is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

Cautions

Fish oil has a mild blood-thinning effect. Mention it before surgery, and speak to your prescriber first if you take an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. Do not take it if you are allergic to fish.

Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use if the safety seal is damaged or missing. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not exceed the recommended dose. If you are pregnant, nursing, under 18 or living with a medical condition, speak to your doctor or pharmacist first.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.