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Fish oil supplements are hard to shop for. On the one hand there are inexpensive low quality fish oils of the type you find in the supermarket that contain little of the two fatty acids EPA and DHA that are responsible for fish oil's cardiovascular and psychiatric benefits.
On the other hand there are high-quality brands like Nordic Naturals which are very expensive but also have very high amounts of EPA and DHA.
When ordering my Omega 3 supplements from Amazon this time around I wanted to find out whether it would be cheaper per unit of DHA/EPA to buy lots of low quality fish oil or just a few bottles of the high quality stuff.
So I made up a simple excel sheet to calculate the price per unit of DHA/EPA using prices on Amazon in late June 2011. What I found out was surprising.
Cost per gram of EPA + DHA:
Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Formula, 180-Count: $0.39
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega, 1,000 mg Fish Oil, 180 Soft Gels: $0.30
Ultimate Omega Liquid by Nordic Naturals 8 Fluid Ounces: $0.47
Kirkland Signature Enteric Coated Fish Oil Omega 3 1200 MG Fish Oil, 684 MG of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, 180 softgels (Pack of 2): $0.15
Now Foods Ultra Omega 3, Fish Oil Soft-gels, 180-Count: $0.10
First, I was surprised that the liquid product was actually more expensive than the capsules since I had always assumed the more concentrated the product the cheaper it would be in the long run. Not so.
Also surprising is that the NOW Foods product is 4 times cheaper than the Nordic Naturals brand per unit of DHA/EPA and 50% cheaper than Kirkland Signature's product.
So, I ordered the Now Foods and after a week I can say I'm very happy. The capsules are large and may be difficult for some people, but no problem for me. (Nordic Naturals are smaller and easier to swallow).
One issue with all nutritional supplements of course is the accuracy of the labeling. Companies are not required to prove their products actually contain the advertised amounts of the supplement. Obviously with a product so much cheaper than its competitors, that was a concern with this brand. But after a week on it I feel the same effects as I have with Nordic Naturals in the past, so subjectively at least the amounts advertised seem accurate.
I've noticed no burping, and the capsules seemed super well sealed. According to NOW's website its fish oil is molecularly distilled and thus free of contaminants.
In my mind there's no need to go for a product that is 3 to 4 times more expensive unless you really cannot swallow a largish pill.
Also worth mentioning is that the high ratio of EPA to DHA is ideal for those using omega 3s for psychiatric conditions like depression and works fine for those looking for the cardio benefits.
Click Here to Read More Reviews >>
I was buying concentrated fish oil from a naturopathic pharmacy at three times the cost. These softgels pack the same amount of EPA and DHA (the important acids) in every capsule as the higher-priced alternative. Most fish oil softgels have a lot less concentration and you have to take 6 or more per day, but not with these. I've also found that these softgels are easy on my stomach, with no nausea or reflux, due to the enteric coating (which prevents digestion in the stomach and delays it until the softgel reaches the small intestine). I am delighted that good quality, concentrated fish oil is more affordable and thus more available, because the health benefits are amazing.
Buy NOW ULTRA OMEGA-3 - 500 EPA / 250 DHA - SOFTGELS Now
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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 the important elements 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
$34.95 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 = $.04 (using Amazon's cost)
One 1200 mg gel cap contains a total of:
EPA = 180 mgs
DHA = 120 mgs
EPA/DHA ratio = 1.5 to 1
Other Omega-3 = 60 mgs
Total Omega-3 = 360 mgs
Percentage Omega-3 per gel cap = 30%
Contains soy
No GMOs
Cholesterol free
Molecularly distilled
Mercury free
Enteric coated
Not vegetarian
IFOS Rating = Not rated
Phone Number: (800) 276-2878
Made in the U.S.A.
Ingredients: fish oil (from sardines, anchovies and mackerel from Peru), gelatin, glycerin, water, and tocopherol
IFOS: The International Fish Oil Standards Program ("IFOS") (Google "IFOS consumer reports") is an independent third party omega-3 testing organization that provides batch-specific summaries of a product's IFOS testing results. The reports include a 5-star rating for each product containing greater than 60% concentration of EPA and DHA per gram of fish oil, allowing consumers to compare fish oil products based on their safety, purity and quality. Most of the highly rated omega-3 fish oil products are listed. Now Ultra Omega-3 is not listed or rated.
POTENCY: Garden of Life Minami Nutrition Platinum Omega 3 Plus D3 Formula has the highest omega-3 fish oil potency of the comparison (89%); followed by Nutrigold Triple Strength Fish Oil Omega-3 Gold (65%) and OmegaVia Pharma-Grade Fish Oil (85%); followed by Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega (77%); followed by Now Ultra Omega-3 (75%); followed by Omapure Pharmaceutical Grade Omega-3 Fish Oil (72%); followed by Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega (64%); and followed by Nature Made Fish Oil, which has the lowest omega-3 fish oil potency of the comparison (30%).
PRICE: Norwegian Gold Ultimate Fish Oils Super Critical Omega is the most expensive per gel cap of the comparison ($.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.
OPINION: There are a number of things I like about Now Ultra Omega-3. It is very inexpensive; it has good omega-3 fish oil potency; it contains no GMOs; it is cholesterol free; it is molecularly distilled; it is mercury free; and it is enteric coated. On the other hand, Now Ultra Omega-3 is not IFOS certified; and it contains soy.
Despite its extremely reasonably price, the fact that Now Ultra Omega-3 is not IFOS certified and contains soy is sufficient for me to deduct one star.
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.
Read Best Reviews of NOW ULTRA OMEGA-3 - 500 EPA / 250 DHA - SOFTGELS Here
I have been using NOW brand fish oil for a good while now to help supplement my diet with Omega 3's. Before the Ultra Omega was released, I used to have to take around 6 to 7 caps a day to reach the 2.0 gram minimum (EPA + DHA) that I was looking for. Now that these potent caps have been released, I can reach that number with only 3 caps per day.
I have never experienced any fishy burps with this product like I have with other fish oil brands. It is definitely quality made, and has VERY low mercury content because of the usage of small fish (mackeral, anchovies, sardines) instead of larger fish. I highly recommend this brand of fish oil to anyone who is interested in supplementing their diet with Omega-3's, which is one of the best things you can add to your diet. cheers!
Want NOW ULTRA OMEGA-3 - 500 EPA / 250 DHA - SOFTGELS Discount?
I researched and did the math on just about every major fish oil supplement out there. AtLarge, Biotest, Nature Made, Primal Blueprint, the list goes on.
These contain more EPA/DHA per softgel for less money than any other company offers.
They are enteric coated and smooth, and go down easier than some others. They are more concentrated which means more of the oil is EPA/DHA and less of other oils.
Pair it with their DHA-500 which has a reversed dose of 250 EPA / 500 DHA and you have a perfect 750/750 of EPA and DHA. One a day of each keeps the doctor away? We can hope!
Can't beat it.
