Source Naturals, Ultra Potency Omega-3 Fish Oil, 850 mg, 120 Softgels

Fish Oil is used for joint health, eye health, skin health, circulatory health, brain health and much more. It has anti-inflammatory effects and acts as an important component in many cellular functions. Some athletes may also use it to boost exercise performance.

Interestingly, Omega-3 seems to lower triglycerides but not LDL cholesterol. Some studies have shown that it may even elevate your total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. However it isn't clear whether or not this elevation is of clinical significance as many studies have shown that fish oil reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease. It is important to note that there are a lot of confounding factors between studies for example the other contents in Fish Oil apart from Omega-3s and the level of processing of the Fish Oil that can promote rancidity. Hence current evidence indicates that Fish Oil is best used to lower triglycerides only.

Fish Oil varies in composition a lot. Different brands can have various amounts of Omega-3s and other fats. The more processed it is, the higher the Omega-3 content. Typically speaking, Fish Oil varies from 30% to 85% Omega-3s. The amount of Omega-3s recommended varies widely as well between different countries and organisations. However, typically speaking, you'll need around 2g to 5g of Omega-3s in divided doses per day for most cases such as circulatory health and joint health. This translates to more than 7 capsules per day if you're using a 30% Omega-3 Fish Oil.

Fish Oil is best taken in divided doses (such as twice a day) with a meal that contains fat for optimal absorption. When taken before, it may also improve sleep quality. For athletes, Fish Oil can be taken before exercise for that extra performance boost.

Fish Oil can irritate the stomach so be sure to take it with some food. Some Fish Oils may have a fishy aftertaste which can contribute to bad breath. While some brands use flavours to mask it (such as lemon or vanilla), it is best to avoid those that have a fishy smell as it may indicate rancidity. People who are taking blood thinners, have blood clotting issues or a history of stroke should definitely speak to their doctors first before taking Fish Oil due to the increased risk of bleeding.

Although taking a high concentration Omega-3 Fish Oil reduces the number of capsules you need to take as compared to a low concentration Fish Oil supplement, we do advise to take the latter for these reasons:
- Evidence-based. Studies have been conducted to compare the effects of taking Fish Oil supplements versus that of eating whole fish. It is found that people who consumed whole fish experienced a lowered LDL level while the Fish Oil supplement group had an increase. This indicates you want a supplement that's closest to the natural way of obtaining Omega-3s, and not highly processed, highly concentrated Omega-3s, stripped of all its natural components. While results from these studies don't directly extrapolate to the recommendation of simply taking a fish oil supplement that's less processed, it does shed light onto the significance of consuming Omega-3s from natural sources, the natural way.
- Low concentration Fish Oils that are not processed to strip away its natural components contain antioxidants that preserve Omega-3s. Overtime, these fatty acids oxidize and even more so when Fish Oil is highly concentrated. This leads to a rancid product that will definitely do more harm than good. Fish Oils that smell fishy are an indication for you to stay away from.
- Highly concentrated Fish Oils costs a lot more, and there's no reason to pay extra.
Of course, even between low concentration Fish Oils, there will be huge differences. From the time between the fish are caught to being processed, there will be a significant difference in Omega-3 loss in Fish Oil. This leads to oxidized, rancid Fish Oil. To address this, make sure to look for cGMP manufacturers as well as those that are 3rd Party Tested. Moreover, be sure to look for the natural triglyceride form and not the ester form of Fish Oil as these are not utilized well in the body.

The one advantage of taking a high quality Fish Oil supplement is that any heavy metal will be distilled off, leaving with just the oil, and even the worst manufacturers out there would recognize the importance of heavy metal isolation. However, consuming fish directly is another story as the larger the fish, the more heavy metals it contains. Generally speaking it should not be of concern as long as you eat in moderation.

Since Cod Liver Oil is extracted from the liver of cod, it will contain more Vitamin A and Vitamin D levels, but less fats and hence Omega-3s compared to traditional fish sources like sardines and mackerel. There's also less studies done on cod liver oil so most recommendations for taking cod liver oil would be from personal experiences.