Customer Ratings:
List Price: $69.95
Sale Price: Price Unavailable
Today's Bonus:
The product is a fantastic product. 5 Stars regarding the product. I love the quality of the product and that it is tested for metals and Mercury. But I have to write a review regarding the seller (which I hate doing here but I want people to know). I just ordered 6 bottles of these thinking it was a great deal. The bottles show these are going to expire in 4 months (09/13) meaning these have been sitting somewhere for 2 years (we have no way of knowing the storage climate these were in). I just purchased also from another seller 2 days before I saw this listing and theirs came with an expiration date of 08/15 (much better). Just passing this information along to confirm the expiration date if that is a concern for you.
This is the Seller that has the Exp 08/15: http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Naturals-Ultimate-Omega-Fish/dp/B002CQU54Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1366924758&sr=1-1&keywords=Nordic+Naturals+Ultimate+Omega+120
Click Here to Read More Reviews >>
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This is a side-by-side comparison of eight top rated omega-3 fish oil supplements: OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil, Nutrigold Triple Strength Fish Oil Omega-3 Gold, Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula, Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega, Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, Omapure Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil, Now Ultra Omega-3, and Nature Made Fish Oil.
There are three major components of omega-3 in these products: EPA (which is good for your heart, circulatory system, lowering triglycerides, depression and mood orientation, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory for soothing joint pains), DHA (which is good for your mental acuity, or if you are pregnant, nursing an infant, or for children), and "other." Other omega-3s, like DPA and SDA, are types of fatty acids which are easily converted to EPA in the body. In most fish oils, the amount of these other fatty acids is low, but in highly concentrated oils, it can be a significant amount. The important components are EPA and DHA.
BREAKDOWN: Here is a breakdown of these supplements.
Nutrigold Triple Strength Fish Oil Omega-3 Gold (See, Nutrigold Triple Strength Omega-3 Gold (1,060 mg Omega-3s per softgel), 1250 mg, 180 softgels)
Ethyl Esters form
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$36.48 for 180 1250 mg gel caps on Amazon
$34.95 for 180 1250 mg gel caps from Nutrigold
Recommended Serving: 1 gel cap
Cost per gel cap = $.20 (using Amazon's cost)
One 1250 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 750 mgs
DHA = 250 mgs
EPA/DHA ratio = 3 to 1
Other Omega-3 = 60 mgs
Total Omega-3 = 1060 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 85%
Soy allergen free
No GMOs
Cholesterol free
Molecularly distilled
Mercury free
Not enteric coated
Not vegetarian
IFOS Rating = ***** (five stars, top rating)
Phone Number: (800) 476-3542
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: pharmaceutical grade purified fish oil, softgel capsule (bovine gelatin, vegetable glycerin, purified water), and natural mixed tocopherols
OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil (See, OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil, Enteric Odorless/Burp-Free, 60 Capsules. 1105 mg Omega-3 Highest Omega-3 per pill on Amazon.)
Ethyl Esters form
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$28.89 for 60 1300 mg gel caps on Amazon
$34.69 for 60 1300 mg gel caps from OmegaVia
Recommended Serving: 1-4 gel caps
Cost per gel cap = $.48 (using Amazon's cost)
One 1300 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 780 mgs
DHA = 260 mgs
EPA/DHA ratio = 3 to 1
Other Omega-3 = 65 mgs
Total Omega-3 = 1105 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 85%
Contains Vitamin E from GMO-soy
Cholesterol free
Molecularly distilled
Mercury free
Enteric coated
Not vegetarian
IFOS Rating = ***** (five stars, top rating)
Phone Number: (800) 270-4010
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: pharmaceutical grade fish oil from sustainably sourced pollock and whiting from Alaska, Kosher gelatin, glycerin, plant-derived natural food glaze (enteric coated to improve absorption and prevent burps), and mixed natural tocopherols
Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula (See, Garden of Life Minami MorEPA Platinum, Plus Vitamin D3 Supercritical Omega 3 Fish Oil, Orange, 30 softgels)
Ethyl Esters form
Not Certified Kosher
Certified Halal
$17.05 for 30 1218 mg gel caps on Amazon
Recommended Serving: 1 gel cap
Cost per gel cap = $.57 (using Amazon's cost)
One 1218 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 756 mgs
DHA = 228 mgs
EPA/DHA ratio = 3 to 1
Other Omega-3 = 96 mgs
Total Omega-3 = 1080 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 89%
Contains soy
No GMOs
Cholesterol free
Supercritical Dual-Process CO2 Technology
Mercury free
Not enteric coated
Not Vegetarian
Vitamin D3 = 300 I.U.
IFOS Rating = ***** (five stars, top rating)
Phone Number: (866) 465-0051
Manufactured and Encapsulated in Belgium
Ingredients: pharmaceutical grade supercritical deep-sea fish oil (anchovy, sardine, mackerel, herring), gelatin, glycerin, purified water, natural orange flavor, soy lecithin, mixed tocopherols
Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega (See, Norwegian Gold Super Critical Omega, 30-Count)
Ethyl Esters form
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$25.49 for 30 1200 mg gel caps on Amazon
$26.99 for 30 1200 mg gel caps from Renew Life
Recommended Serving: 1-2 gel caps
Cost per gel cap = $.85 (using Amazon's cost)
One 1200 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 800 mgs
DHA = 124 mgs
Total Omega-3 = 924 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 77%
Lipase = 4 mgs (fat digesting enzyme)
No soy
No GMOs
Contains cholesterol
Supercritical Dual-Process CO2 Technology
Mercury free
Enteric coated
Vegetarian
IFOS Rating = ***** (five stars, top rating)
Vitamin D3 = 1000 I.U.
Phone Number: (800) 830-1800
Manufactured in Canada
Ingredients: pharmaceutical grade fish oil (from anchovies and sardines), fish gelatin, glycerin, beeswax, natural orange flavor, natural caramel color, sunflower lecithin, mixed vitamin E tocopherols (natural flavor protectors), and enteric coating
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega (See, Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, 1,000 mg Fish Oil, 180 Soft Gels)
Triglycerides form
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$50.00 for 180 1000 mg gel caps on Amazon
$69.95 for 180 1000 mg gel caps from Nordic Naturals
Recommended Serving: 2 gel caps
Cost per gel cap = $.28 (using Amazon's cost)
One 1000 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 325 mgs
DHA = 225 mgs
EPA/DHA ratio = 1.5 to 1
Other Omega-3 = 90 mgs
Total Omega-3 = 640 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 64%
No soy
No GMOs
Contains cholesterol
Molecularly distilled
Mercury free
Not enteric coated
Not vegetarian
IFOS Rating = ***** (five stars, top rating)
Phone Number: (800) 662-2544
Encapsulated in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: pharmaceutical grade purified deep sea fish oil (from anchovies and sardines), softgel capsule (gelatin, glycerin, water, natural lemon flavor), d-alpha tocopherol, and rosemary extract (a natural preservative)
Omapure Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil (See, OMAPURE Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil (1 Bottle; 120 softgels))
Ethyl esters form
Certified Kosher
$29.95 for 120 900 mg gel caps on Amazon
$29.95 for 120 900 mg gel caps from Omapure
Recommended Serving: 2-4 gel caps
Cost per gel cap = $.25 (using Amazon's cost)
One 900 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 425 mgs per gel cap
DHA = 173 mgs per gel cap
EPA/DHA ratio = 2.5 to 1
Other Omega-3 = 52 mgs
Total Omega-3 = 650 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 72%
No soy
No GMOs
Contains cholesterol
Molecularly distilled
Mercury free
Not enteric coated
Not vegetarian
IFOS Rating = ***** (five stars, top rating)
Phone Number: (877) 662-9872
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: pharmaceutical grade fish oil (sardine and anchovy fished in South American waters), gelatin, glycerin, water, beeswax, natural lemon oil, caramel, and mixed natural tocopherols
Now Ultra Omega-3 (See, Now Foods Ultra Omega 3, Fish Oil Soft-gels, 180-Count)
Ethyl Esters form
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$21.49 for 180 1300 mg gel caps on Amazon
Recommended Serving: 1-2 gel caps
Cost per gel cap = $.12 (using Amazon's cost)
One 1000 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 500 mgs
DHA = 250 mgs
EPA/DHA ratio = 2 to 1
Total Omega-3 = 750 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 75%
Contains soy
No GMOs
Cholesterol free
Molecularly distilled
Mercury free
Enteric coated
Not vegetarian
IFOS Rating = Not rated
Phone Number: (888) 669-3663
Encapsulated in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: natural fish oil concentrate (from sardines, anchovies and mackerel from Peru), softgel capsule (gelatin, glycerin, water, and enteric coating) and Vitamin E (as natural d-alpha tocopherol), and vitamin E from soy
Nature Made Fish Oil (See, Nature Made Fish Oil Omega-3 1200mg, 300 Softgels)
Ethyl Esters form
Not certified Kosher or Halal
$13.49 for 300 1200 mg gel caps on Amazon
$11.99 for 400 1200 mg gel caps from Costco
Recommended Serving: 2 gel caps
Cost per gel cap = $.04 (using Amazon's cost)
One 1200 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 180 mgs
DHA = 120 mgs
EPA/DHA ratio = 1.5 to 1
Other Omega-3 = 60 mgs
Total Omega-3 = 360 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 30%
Contains soy
No GMOs
Cholesterol free
Molecularly distilled
Mercury free
Enteric coated
Not vegetarian
IFOS Rating = Not rated
Phone Number: (800) 276-2878
Made in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: fish oil (from sardines, anchovies and mackerel from Peru), gelatin, glycerin, water, and tocopherol
IFOS: The International Fish Oil Standards Program ("IFOS") (Google "IFOS consumer reports") is an independent third party omega-3 testing organization that provides batch-specific summaries of a product's IFOS testing results. The reports include a 5-star rating for each product containing greater than 60% concentration of EPA and DHA per gram of fish oil, allowing consumers to compare fish oil products based on their safety, purity and quality. Most of the highly rated omega-3 fish oil products are listed. Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega is listed as a five star omega-3 fish oil product, which is the highest rating attainable.
POTENCY: Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula has the highest omega-3 fish oil potency of the comparison (89%); followed by Nutrigold Triple Strength Fish Oil Omega-3 Gold (65%) and OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil (85%); followed by Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega (77%); followed by Now Ultra Omega-3 (75%); followed by Omapure Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil (72%); followed by Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega (64%); and followed by Nature Made Fish Oil, which has the lowest omega-3 fish oil potency of the comparison (30%).
PRICE: Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega is the most expensive per gel cap of the comparison ($.85 per gel cap); followed by Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula ($.57 per gel cap); followed by OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil ($.48 per gel cap); followed by Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega ($.28 per gel cap); followed by Omapure Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil ($.25); followed by Nutrigold Triple Strength Fish Oil Omega-3 Gold ($.20 per gel cap); followed by Now Ultra Omega-3 ($.12 per gel cap); and followed by Nature Made Fish Oil, which is the least expensive per gel cap of the comparison ($.04 per gel cap).
PILL SIZE: OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil and Now Ultra Omega-3 are the largest pills of the comparison (1300 mgs); followed by Nutrigold Triple Strength Fish Oil Omega-3 Gold (1250 mgs); followed by Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula (1218 mgs); followed by Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega (1200 mgs) and Nature Made Fish Oil (1200 mgs); followed by Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega (1000 mgs) and Now Ultra Omega-3 (1000 mgs); and followed by Omapure Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil, which is the smallest pill of the comparison (900 mgs). In terms of size, all of these gel caps are manageable for most folks.
SOY CONTENT: Nutrigold Triple Strength Fish Oil Omega-3 Gold, OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil, Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega, Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, and Omapure Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil, do not contain soy. Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula, Now Ultra Omega-3, and Nature Made Fish Oil contain soy.
GMO CONTENT: None of these supplements contain GMOs.
ENTERIC COATING: OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil, Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega, and Now Ultra Omega-3 are three of the few omega-3 fish oil products that are enteric coated. Enteric coating is used to prevent fish oil capsules from being digested in the stomach, which can cause a "fishy reflux." However, this problem is limited to only low grade, poorly manufactured fish oil products. Highly purified fish oil supplements that are manufactured to maintain freshness do not generally produce this fishy reflux, especially if the product is taken with food as recommended. Further, the only people who experience fishy burps from even high quality fish oil supplements are those with sensitive GI tract issues, for whom enteric coating may provide some relief from fishy burps, but may also interfere with absorption of the key nutrients in the supplement.
There is some evidence that suggests that enteric coating is not required and may actually hinder or impede proper absorption of omega-3 fish oil. In my view, however, this body of evidence is not conclusive.
Bottom line, if you have sensitive GI tract issues and experience fishy burps from omega-3 fish oil supplements, you may want to consider an enteric coated product.
SUPERCRITICAL DUAL-PROCESS CO2 TECHNOLOGY: Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula and Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega are not molecularly distilled. They use a proprietary Supercritical Dual-Process CO2 technology which concentrates omega-3s, yielding unique selectivity of one of the most biologically active omega-3 fatty acids EPA. Using less heat, less repeat processing, and natural carbon dioxide as a solvent, allows these products to reach peak concentrations approximating 100% EPA, omitting superfluous fats and fillers. 400% less heat than molecular distillation is used during the entire process, with no oxygen exposure. Natural CO2 is used as an alternative to organic solvents and protects the final product from oxidation. In my opinion, Supercritical Dual-Process CO2 technology is superior to molecular distillation.
VITAMIN D3: Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega contains 1000 I.U. of Vitamin D3. Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula contains 300 I.U. of Vitamin D3. I don't believe this is terribly significant, as Vitamin D3 can be purchased for very little money, and lots of folks who take it consume more than 1000 I.U. daily.
LIPASE: Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega contains 4 mgs of Lipase, which is a fat digesting enzyme. Most omega-3 fish oil products do not contain Lipase. However, the human body produces more than adequate amounts of Lipase and, therefore, Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega reference to its benefits might be somewhat enthusiastic.
MEALS: Any ethyl esters based and triglycerides based omega-3 fish oils are best taken with a meal containing some fat, as they are more efficiently absorbed when taken with food.
TRIGLYCERIDES FORM VS ETHYL ESTERS FORM: There is some belief that the triglycerides form of omega-3 fish oil is better than the ethyl esters form, but I don't believe this debate is conclusive one way or the other, or that it makes a significant difference in terms of quality. It is my opinion that both forms of omega-3 fish oils are, for all intents and purposes, the same, assuming you take them both with a meal containing some fat and you continue their use over a longer period of time (say, more than one month).
OPINION: There are a number of things I like about Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega. The company is ethical and forthcoming with information about its products; it is IFOS five star rated; it is relatively inexpensive when compared to the other omega-3 fish oil supplements; it contains no soy; it contains no GMOs; it is mercury free; and it is molecularly distilled. On the other hand, its omega-3 fish oil potency is not particularly high (64%); it contains small amounts of cholesterol; and it is not certified Kosher. I deducted one star because its omega-3 fish oil potency is relatively low (64%), especially when compared to others in this group.
RATING:
I rated Nutrigold Triple Strength Fish Oil Omega-3 Gold, OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil, Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula, and Omapure Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil five stars.
I rated Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega four stars because it is extremely expensive and its price fluctuates wildly on Amazon.
I rated Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega four stars because of its relatively low omega-3 fish oil potency (64%).
I rated Now Ultra Omega-3 four stars because, although it is inexpensive and has decent omega-3 potency (75%), it is not IFOS certified and it contains soy.
I rated Nature Made Fish Oil two stars because it not IFOS certified, it has an extremely low omega-3 fish oil potency (30%), and it contains soy.
I have separately reviewed all of these products.
Prices current as of 10/12/2013.
Buy Nordic Naturals, Ultimate Omega, 1,000 mg Fish Oil, Soft Gels Now
Many experts believe that a high quality fish oil is probably the most important supplement we can take. This is in part, due to the fact that the average American diet is severely lacking in omega 3 fatty acids, but is very high in omega 6. According to the literature I have read, the ideal ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 should be 1:1. However, the average American diet is estimated to provide a ratio of 33:1!
Another problem with consuming enough omega 3 is the fact that our oceans have been polluted, so nutritional experts caution eating too much fish. Some have gone as far as to not eat fish at all (though I think that is extreme).
Because of the pollution in our oceans, it is important that when choosing a fish oil supplement that it be molecuarly distilled. I personally avoid ones that simply claim to only be purified of mercury, because mercury isn't the only problem. While products that say this might very well be purified to remove other impurities, the fact is, I like to see things in black-and-white. Otherwise, if impurities other than mercury were to be found in the fish oil product, the company couldn't be held accountable because they never claimed otherwise. Fortunately, not only is Ultimate Omega molecularly distilled, but it also far exceeds the International Fish Oil Standards (I.F.O.S.) expectations in purity in every area tested. So Ultimate Omega can be taken with full confidence, that it is simply the the purest fish oil available surpassing some of the strictest standards in the world for fish oil.
Another thing to take into consideration when choosing a fish oil product is that the product provides an effective dose to get desired results. According to many experts I have read, if someone has no health problems, then 1000 mg of EPA & DHA (combined) is usually sufficient for preventative measures.
It can be difficult to find a fish oil product that provides 1000 mg of EPA & DHA in a single serving (usually two softgels). Nordic Naturals' Ultimate Omega provides 1100 mg of EPA & DHA in two softgels (each softgel containing 1000 mg of fish oil). Most standard fish oil products provide only 600 mg of EPA & DHA per 2000 mg of oil. Which means that one would have to consume approximately 4 g (4000 mg) of fat to receive a dose of EPA & DHA comparable to what Nordic Naturals' product offers with just 2g (2000 mg) of fat.
With all that said, some might still be wondering why they should pay the premium price for Ultimate Omega. Because, the truth is, there are other fish oil products out there that can provide at least 1000 mg of EPA & DHA in just two softgels, but at a much lower price. The difference lies in one more place: most fish oil products are in an ethyl ester form, while Ultimate Omega is in a triglycerides form. There have been some debate among experts between which is the superior form. Many proponents of ethyl ester forms felt that the triglycerides form was all hype. However, in 2010, scientific findings have shown that the triglycerides form actually absorbs anywhere from 50-70% better than the ethyl ester form.
Ultimate Omega can be taken with FULL confidence that it is the purest fish oil on the market, far exceeding the standards of the I.F.O.S.
It provides a convenient way to receive effective dosages of EPA & DHA in a single serving.
The omega 3 is provided in a form that has higher absorption than 99% of all other fish oil products.
Nordic Naturals is one of the most trusted companies in the world for fish oil products, and Ultimate Omega is a good testament to why that is.
Read Best Reviews of Nordic Naturals, Ultimate Omega, 1,000 mg Fish Oil, Soft Gels Here
**Edit: The last bottle I received (June 2013) had caps that were cloudy. This is unusual because I've been buying this product for a long time now and the caps were never cloudy. I contacted their customer support and they told me that maybe the caps were refrigerated or frozen and that caused the oils to become permanently whitened. Frankly I'm not happy about this because I'm paying $50 a bottle and I expect consistency. I'm not sure but I think if the temperature extreme the caps were exposed to was bad enough to change the color of the oil that's a problem and may degrade the quality. I think Nordic naturals should have offered an exchange.
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I've been interviewing the companies that supply my supplements. Why? Because I want to know more about what is going into my body. Supplements are concentrated products and as such they can concentrate not only good stuff but bad stuff too. This is particularly true of fish oils.
I ask supplement companies 3 questions:
In the case of Nordic Naturals they pass all three tests. They will tell you exactly where they source the fish for the product (off the coast of Peru). They will tell you which agency standards they attempt to meet or exceed (CRN, GOED, IFOS, WHO, Prop 65 and EP). They will also provide, on request, a certificate of analysis from a third party not only for a recent batch but they will also send it for the batch that they used to produce the bottle you have in your hand (if you send them the lot number).
This is the kind of responsiveness you should expect from a company with nothing to hide. Be wary of companies that will only tell you about their certifications but will NOT send you the actual certificates of analysis. Nordic Naturals is a model for other supplement manufacturers to follow. The full path from raw material to finished product should be reasonably transparent to end-consumers.
Yes, other fish oils are cheaper but ask then the above 3 questions and see how far you get.
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The Ultimate Omega was original taken as a way of controlling the pain of osteoarthritis by reduce swelling, which it did. However, it also lowered my Cholesterol by 50 points and helps keep my blood pressure within the normal range.