【2023】Comparison of 7 Recommended Commercial Fish Oil Products

There are countless varieties of commercial fish oil products available in the market. Many people want to take fish oil to maintain cardiovascular health, address depression, promote brain development in children, and slow down brain degeneration. However, what criteria should be used to select fish oil products to ensure quality and effectiveness? If you’ve been struggling with this question, our team has collected several commercial fish oil products, had them tested by third-party reputable organizations, and we’re here to share how to choose fish oil that’s safe and effective!

Table of Contents

How to Choose Fish Oil? Here are 5 Key Points Experts Consider

1. Product Labeling

Product labeling is like the identification card of the product. According to government regulations on food labeling, clear labeling of Omega-3, DHA, and EPA content is crucial. However, the labeling of commercial fish oil products may not always be honest and complete. Therefore, it’s recommended to choose products that have third-party verified Omega-3 fatty acid test reports. This ensures the effectiveness of the fish oil’s active ingredients.

2. Omega-3 Concentration

When selecting fish oil, focus should be on the “Omega-3 concentration” rather than the size of the fish oil capsule. A larger fish oil capsule doesn’t necessarily contain more Omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, the key point in selection is the concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids. Currently, Omega-3 concentrations in commercial fish oil products range from 20% to 85%. Higher Omega-3 concentrations in fish oil mean more intake of effective ingredients and less unnecessary burden.

💡When selecting fish oil, look for Omega-3 concentrations exceeding 80% for the health benefits of lowering triglycerides.

3. Source of Fish Oil

The origin of fish oil, including the location of fishing and the fish species, is also an important indicator. When choosing fish oil, it’s advisable to opt for fish caught in clean waters and smaller fish species as they tend to be safer. Larger fish species accumulate more toxins and heavy metals due to bioaccumulation.

It’s best if the manufacturer can provide reports on heavy metals and other toxic substances to ensure quality. There are also reputable international organizations that assess fish oil quality, such as GOED and IFOS, which set stricter standards and certifications.

4. Type of Fish Oil

There are three common forms of fish oil products on the market: rTG form, TG form, and EE form. These three forms differ in their structures due to the extraction methods. Clinical research has shown that different forms of fish oil are absorbed differently. Most studies have found that rTG form has the highest absorption rate, followed by TG form, and EE form is the least effective.

5. Pure Ingredients

There are many commercially available fish oil products that contain complex combinations of additives such as red yeast rice, natto, astaxanthin, and more. These additives are meant to enhance the product’s effectiveness. However, it’s recommended to choose pure fish oil as excessive additives can compress the proportion of Omega-3 fatty acid active ingredients in the fish oil. This might not be beneficial in the long run.

Further Reading: The Right Way to Take Fish Oil! 13 Benefits and Side Effects of Consuming Omega-3 Fish Oil

The concentration information provided on labels of commercially available fish oil products is often self-reported and difficult to verify. To address this issue, our team took a proactive step to determine the accurate concentrations of various brands of fish oil. We sent samples from 7 different products to the same third-party testing company to compare the actual concentrations of fish oil. This approach aimed to ensure a reliable and unbiased assessment of fish oil concentrations across different brands.

1. Daiken Fish Oil Concentrate

Actual Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content: 84.13%
Actual EPA Content: 50.97%
Actual DHA Content: 30.30%
Absorption Form: rTG
Capsule Size: Small
Complex Formulation: None
Number of Capsules for 1000mg Omega-3 Intake: 2 capsules
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2. BlackMores Omega Triple Fish Oil

Actual Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content: 62.22%
Actual EPA Content: 36.20%
Actual DHA Content: 22.10%
Absorption Form: rTG
Capsule Size: big
Complex Formulation: Vanillin, Soybean Oil
Number of Capsules for 1000mg Omega-3 Intake: 2 capsules
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3. NatureMade Super Strength Fish Oil

Actual Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content: 62.15%
Actual EPA Content: 41.70%
Actual DHA Content: 16.60%
Absorption Form: no label
Capsule Size: big
Complex Formulation: Vanillin, Soybean Oil
Number of Capsules for 1000mg Omega-3 Intake: 2 capsules
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4. Essential Omega III Fish Oil with Vitamin E

Actual Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content: 50.02%
Actual EPA Content: 26.80%
Actual DHA Content: 18.40%
Absorption Form: no label
Capsule Size: small
Complex Formulation: lemon oil, vitamin E
Number of Capsules for 1000mg Omega-3 Intake: 4 capsules
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5. Brands Red Marine Fish Oil with Astaxanthin

Actual Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content: 26.46%
Actual EPA Content: 15%
Actual DHA Content: 9.06%
Absorption Form: no label
Capsule Size: small
Complex Formulation: Red algae extract, concentrated d-alpha-tocopherol
Number of Capsules for 1000mg Omega-3 Intake: The bottle label recommends not exceeding 4 capsules per day, which indicates that it may not reach 1000 milligrams of omega-3.
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6. Heilusan Omega-3 capsule

Actual Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content: 26.31%
Actual EPA Content: 14.50%
Actual DHA Content: 9.30%
Absorption Form: TG
Capsule Size: small
Complex Formulation: none
Number of Capsules for 1000mg Omega-3 Intake: 7 capsules
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7. Suntory Fish Oil DHA&EPA + Sesamin E

Actual Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content: 38.11%
Actual EPA Content: 9.18%
Actual DHA Content: 26.20%
Absorption Form: TG
Capsule Size: small
Complex Formulation: Vitamin E, Sesamin, Vitamin D3
Number of Capsules for 1000mg Omega-3 Intake: 10 capsules
View Product >

Comparison Table of 7 Fish Oil Products

Product	Daiken Fish Oil Concentrate	BlackMores Omega Triple Fish Oil	NatureMade Super Strength Fish Oil	Essential Omega III Fish Oil with Vitamin E	Brands Red Marine Fish Oil with Astaxanthin	Heilusan Omega-3 capsule	Suntory Fish Oil DHA&EPA + Sesamin E

Actual Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content (%)	84.13	62.22	62.15	50.02	26.46	26.31	38.11
Actual EPA Content (%)	50.97	36.20	41.70	26.80	15	14.50	9.18
Actual DHA Content (%)	30.30	22.10	16.60	18.40	9.06	9.30	26.20
Absorption Form	rTG	rTG	no label	no label	no label	TG	TG
Capsule Size	small	big	big	small	small	small	small
Complex Formulation	none	Vanillin, Soybean Oil	none	lemon oil, VitaminE	Red algae extract, concentrated d-alpha-tocopherol	none	Vitamin E, Sesamin, Vitamin D3
Number of Capsules for 1000mg Omega-3 Intake	2	2	2	4	The bottle label recommends not exceeding 4 capsules per day, which indicates that it may not reach 1000 milligrams of omega-3.	7	10

Note: All the test values of the fish oil products were conducted by a third-party independent testing agency in Taiwan. The testing was performed according to the “Food Analysis Method for Fatty Acids” announced on November 28, 102nd year (2013).

Summary

After considering the key points we have recommended, we hope that you can find a suitable product from our recommended ranking. Combine this with a balanced diet and regular exercise to promote overall vitality and health.

Further Reading: Benefits of Fish Oil Consumption | Best Time to Take Fish Oil

Further Reading: A Comparison Between German KD Pharma Fish Oil and Spanish Solutex Fish Oil – Analyzing Raw Materials