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Product Review: Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA) from Fish/Marine Oils |
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Summary Posted 12/7/2004; Full Report for Subscribers Posted: 10/6/04 Updated 3/15/05, 9/29/07, 11/4/07, 4/23/08
Summary for non-subscribers:
What It Is:
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the two principal fatty acids found in fish. They belong to a family of essential nutrients known as omega-3 fatty acids. The body can manufacture both EPA and DHA from another essential fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) — found in flaxseed oil, canola oil, soy oil and walnut oil — but only to a limited extent. For more information see the separate review of flaxseed oil and omega-6 products.
What It Does:
(For dosages see What to Consider When Using.)
Cardiovascular Disease:
Increased consumption of fish oil may help slow the progression of atherosclerosis and thereby prevent heart attacks, and also reduce risk of sudden death due to cardiac arrythmias. Omega-3 fatty acids have a number of heart-healthy effects, including reducing triglyceride levels, raising levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol and, possibly, "thinning" the blood, reducing levels of homocysteine and reducing blood pressure. Fish oils also appear to enhance the effectiveness of statin drugs used to improve cholesterol profile.
Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Diseases:
EPA and DHA have been tried in the treatment of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis with considerable success (especially in early stages of the disease). These oils may also be useful in the treatment of menstrual cramps, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), lupus, and IgA nephropathy.
Psychiatric and Mental Disorders:
For reasons that are less clear, omega-3s seem to help depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, according to a limited number of double-blind trials. Fish oil has also been proposed for attention deficit disorder, borderline personality disorder, dyslexia and cognitive impairment, but as yet the supporting evidence for these uses remains exceedingly preliminary.
Other Diseases:
Other proposed uses of fish oils with some support include asthma, Raynaud's phenomenon (abnormal sensitivity of hands and feet to cold), chronic fatigue syndrome, cystic fibrosis, osteoporosis, reducing the risk of prostate cancer and preventing weight loss during cancer chemotherapy. DHA is important for normal development and functioning of the brain and retina in the fetus and in infants and may also reduce the risk of premature delivery in pregnant women.
Pet Use:
Fish oil supplements are commonly given to pets to help maintain their coats and skin. [Reviews of other pet supplements by ConsumerLab.com include Joint Supplements and Multivitamins/Multiminerals.]
What CL Found:
Tests of omega-3 fatty acid supplements showed that all but two were fresh and contained their claimed amounts of EPA and DHA — key omega-3 fatty acids. The two products failed the testing for the following problems:
- A liquid product, was spoiled — as indicated by an elevated amount of both peroxide (indicating recent spoilage) and anisidine (indicating longer-term spoilage).
- A soft-gel supplement, contained only 53% of its claimed EPA. This product is sold for human use but is also marketed for use by pets.
None of the products contained detectable levels of mercury, nor unsafe levels of PCBs. By comparison, PCBs have been found in several fish including farm-raised salmon and mercury levels in fish generally range from 10 ppb to 1,000 ppb, depending on the fish (see What to Look for When Buying — Getting EPA and DHA from Food for more information). Several of the products (footnoted below with a "†" symbol in the "Purity" column) were additionally tested for dioxins, which can be found in some fish. However, none of these supplements contained unsafe levels of dioxins.
A Sample of Approved Products:
Listed alphabetically by category below are examples of products that passed. Names and test results for 44 supplements that passed or failed, along with ConsumerLab.com's health recommendations, are available only to subscribers. Just click Subscribe or, if you already are a subscriber, Log-in now.
EXAMPLES OF RESULTS OF CONSUMERLAB.COM TESTING OF OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENTS
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Product Name
Labeled Amount of EPA/DHA per Unit and Suggested Daily Dose on Label
Click on "Ingredients" for Full Listing
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Company
(Dist. =
Dist-
ributor
Mfd. =
Manu-
facturer
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AMOUNT of EPA and DHA (mg) Per Recom-
mended Daily Serving (Based on Label)
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OVERALL RESULTS:
APPROVED
(Passed)
or
NOT
APPROVED
(Failed)
(See How Products Were Evaluated) |
Contained Claimed Amount of EPA and DHA |
Purity
 = Safe Level of Mercury and PCBs
† = Also tested for dioxins — safe level found |
Fresh-
ness
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| Softgels and Packets: |
Carlson® Super Omega-3 Fish Oils 1000mg (300 mg EPA, 200 mg DHA per softgel, 1 per day)*
Ingredients
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Dist. by Carlson Div. of J.R. Carlson |
EPA: 300
DHA: 200
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APPROVED |
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Coromega™ omega-3 Fish Oil (350 mg EPA, 230 mg DHA per packet, 1 per day)*
Ingredients
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Dist. by ERBL, Inc |
EPA: 350
DHA: 230
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APPROVED |
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†
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CVS® pharmacy Natural Fish Oil Concentrate 1000 mg (180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients |
Dist. by CVS |
EPA: 540
DHA: 360
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APPROVED |
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Expert's Choice Nutritional Daily Pack™ (1 packet per day)*
Ingredients |
Dist. by BL Products, LLC |
EPA: 300
DHA: 200
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APPROVED
Also Approved for Multivitamin and Calcium |
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GNC Fish Body Oils 1000 (180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA per softgel, 1-2 per day)*
Ingredients |
Dist. by General Nutrition Corporation |
EPA: 180-360
DHA: 120-240
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APPROVED |
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GNC Preventive Nutrition® Omega Complex (60 mg EPA, 40 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients
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Dist. by General Nutrition Corporation |
EPA: 180
DHA: 120
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APPROVED |
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Health From The Sun The Total EFA™, Flax, Fish, Borage 1200 mg (72 mg EPA, 48 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*3
Ingredients |
Mfd. by Arkopharma, LLC |
EPA: 216
DHA: 144
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APPROVED |
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Nature's Bounty® Cold Water Salmon Oil 1000mg (80 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA per softgel, 4 per day)*
Ingredients |
Mfd. by Nature's Bounty Inc |
EPA: 320
DHA: 480
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APPROVED |
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Nature's Bounty® Natural Fish Oil 1000mg Cholesterol Free (180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients |
Mfd. by Nature's Bounty Inc |
EPA: 540
DHA: 360
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APPROVED |
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Nordic Naturals Ultimate™ Omega, lemon taste (325 mg EPA, 225 mg DHA per softgel, 2 per day)*
Ingredients |
Mfd. by Nordic Naturals, Inc. |
EPA: 650
DHA: 450
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APPROVED |
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†
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Nutrilite® Omega 3 Complex (65 mg EPA, 45 mg DHA per softgel, 1-3 per day)*
Ingredients |
Dist. by Access Business Group Inter-
national LLC |
EPA: 65-195
DHA: 45-135
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APPROVED |
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OLAY™ Vitamins essential balanced omega 3/6™, Enteric Coated for Better Digestion (93.6 mg EPA, 187 mg DHA per enteric-coated softgel, 1 per day)*
Ingredients
Product Discontinued |
Dist. by Pharmavite LLC |
EPA: 93.6
DHA: 187.2
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APPROVED |
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†
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OmegaBrite™ 100% Natural Advanced Omega 3 Formula, 500 mg (375 mg EPA, 55 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients |
Dist. by Omega Natural Health |
EPA: 1125
DHA: 165
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APPROVED |
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†
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PhytoPharmica® ESKIMO-3® Naturally Stable Fish Oil® (70 mg EPA, 42 mg DHA per softgel, 3-9 per day)*4
Ingredients
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Mfd. by Cardinova Inter-
national |
EPA: 210-630
DHA: 125-375
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APPROVED |
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Puritan's Pride® Cholesterol Free Fish Oil 1200mg (216 mg EPA, 144 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients
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Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc. |
EPA: 648
DHA: 432
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APPROVED |
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Puritan's Pride® Cholesterol Free Natural Fish Oil EPA 1000mg (180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients
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Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc. |
EPA: 540
DHA: 360
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APPROVED |
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Puritan's Pride® Triple Omega 3-6-9 Flax, Fish & Borage Oil (120 mg EPA, 80 mg DHA per softgel, 1-2 per day)*
Ingredients
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Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc. |
EPA: 120-240
DHA: 80-150
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APPROVED |
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Rexall® Flax, Fish, Borage Oil (120 mg EPA, 80 mg DHA per softgel, 1-2 per day)*
Ingredients |
Mfd. by Rexall, Inc. |
EPA: 120-240
DHA: 80-160
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APPROVED |
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Spring Valley Fish Oil 1200 mg (216 mg EPA, 144 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients |
Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc. |
EPA: 648
DHA: 432
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APPROVED |
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Sundown® Fish Oil 1000mg (180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA per softgel, 2-6 per day)*
Ingredients
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Dist.by Rexall Sundown, Inc. |
EPA: 360-1080
DHA: 240-720
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APPROVED |
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The Vitamin Shoppe™ Essential Oils & Fatty Acids EPA-DHA Omega-3 Fish Oil 500 (300 mg EPA, 200 mg DHA per softgel, 1-2 per day)*
Ingredients |
Dist. by The Vitamin Shoppe™ |
EPA: 300-600
DHA: 200-400
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APPROVED |
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†
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Triomega® Omega-3 (333.3 mg EPA, 167 mg DHA per softgel, 1 per day)*
Ingredients
Product Discontinued |
Dist. by Inverness Medical, Inc. |
EPA: 333.3
DHA: 166.67
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APPROVED |
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†
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Vitamin World® Cholesterol Free Fish Oil 1200mg (216 mg EPA, 144 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients
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Mfd. by Vitamin World |
EPA: 648
DHA: 432
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APPROVED |
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Vitamin World® Naturally Inspired™ Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000mg Cholesterol-Free (180 mg EPA, 120 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients
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Mfd. by Vitamin World |
EPA: 540
DHA: 360
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APPROVED |
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Vitamin World® Naturally Inspired™ Super EPA Natural Fish Oil 1000mg Cholesterol-Free (300 mg EPA, 200 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients
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Mfd. by Vitamin World |
EPA: 900
DHA: 600
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APPROVED |
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Vitamin World® Triple Omega 3-6-9 Flax, Fish & Borage Oil (120 mg EPA, 80 mg DHA per softgel, 3 per day)*
Ingredients
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Mfd. by Vitamin World |
EPA: 360
DHA: 240
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APPROVED |
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| Liquids: |
Carlson® Norwegian Cod Liver Oil (460-500 mg EPA, 500-550 mg DHA per 5 mL liquid, 1 per day or more)*
Ingredients
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Dist. by J.R. Carlson Labo-
ratories, Inc. |
EPA: 460-550 at 5 mL per day
DHA: 500-550 at 5 mL per day
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APPROVED1 |
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| Pet Supplements: |
*Tested through CL's Voluntary Certification Program prior to, at time of, or after initial posting of this Product Review.
† Product participated in optional dioxin testing at the request of its manufacturer/distributor through CL's Voluntary Certification Program. Safe level of dioxins found.
1 Product label suggests taking "1 or more" teaspoonsful per day. Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin A would be exceeded if more than 8 teaspoonsful were taken daily by adults or more than 1 to 2 teaspoonsful taken daily by children.
2 Tolerable Upper Intake Level for vitamin A would be exceeded if maximum suggested dose was taken by adults or children.
3 An earlier version of this product did not pass this review. It had the lot number 8030 and expiration date 09/2006.
4 CL was informed in August 2006 that this product is no longer sold under the PhytoPharmica brand but is being sold under the Enzymatic Therapy brand. |
Unless otherwise noted, information about the products listed above is based on the samples purchased by ConsumerLab.com (CL) for this Product Review. Manufacturers may change ingredients and label information at any time. So be sure to check labels carefully when evaluating the products you use or buy. If a product's ingredients differ from what is listed above, it may not necessarily be the same as what was tested.
The information contained in this report is based on the compilation and review of information from product labeling and analytic testing. CL applies what it believes to be the most appropriate testing methods and standards. The information in this report does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of CL, its officers or employees. CL cannot assure the accuracy of information provided to it by third parties. Liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this report is hereby disclaimed.
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Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2004. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced, excerpted, or cited in any fashion without the express written permission of ConsumerLab.com LLC.
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