Best omega-3: a pharmacist’s opinion (2025)

We analyzed 13 products sold online according to 8 criteria, compared their features, and tested the laboratories in question.

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# Partner offer
> Omega-3 Krill – Naturavignon
🎁 promo code -10% : OMEGA-DN

# Best value for money
> The Omega-3s – Nutri&Co

# Excellent alternative
> Omega-3 EPAX – Novoma

# Highest concentration
> Omega-3 EPAX – Nutripure

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Best omega-3 supplements

Our selection criteria

• Composition : this is the EPA and DHA content of a daily dose recommended by the brand.
• Origin of the oil : fish, shellfish or algae, the absorption and quality of omega-3s depend on its origin. 
• Oil extraction : the extraction technique influences the quality of the oils. High-temperature extraction degrades the oil.
• Totox Index (total oxidation) : this index measures the oxidation of the oil. It should be as low as possible for optimal shelf life.
• Price / day : this is the price for 1 day of treatment, with the daily dose recommended by the brand.
• Certificate of analysis and label: the brand must be able to provide independent analyses showing the absence of contaminants. A label guarantees responsible fishing and/or proper preservation of the products.
• Customer reviews : this average of customer reviews for the brand comes from the laboratory’s website or a marketplace such as Amazon.
• Our opinion on the brand : based on the supplement brand tests we carry out each month and the analysis of 6 criteria such as transparency and expertise.

All selected supplements are in triglyceride form (high bioavailability), made in France, without excipients or additives, and sourced from sustainable fishing.

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Partner offer

# WILD KRILL OMEGA-3

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# BEST VALUE FOR MONEY

This omega-3 supplement sourced from sustainable fishing offers a good concentration of EPA and DHA (ANSES recommends 500 mg per day for the combined EPA + DHA). It is the least expensive in our selection.

Nutri&Co uses small fish from the lower end of the food chain, reducing the risk of heavy metal contamination.

They are certified “Qualitysilver°” and the capsules are patented (“Licaps°”): these labels guarantee the quality of the oils and their stability against oxidation.

The Totox index (total oxidation) is 5, for a maximum limit of 26 established by the World Organization for Omega-3s.

We like the Nutri&Co brand because it is reliable and transparent (our full review here). We also note that customer reviews are very positive.

This brand is based in Aix-en-Provence and places particular importance on the quality of the active ingredients in its products.

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# EXCELLENT ALTERNATIVE

The omega-3 supplement from the Novoma brand is a quality alternative. It is more concentrated in EPA and DHA, but is more expensive on a daily basis.

To date, it has not been shown that a concentration of active ingredients above the recommendations is beneficial.

The regimen requires 4 capsules per day, compared to 3 for the two other supplements in our selection.

This supplement is certified Friend of the Sea and its Totox index is the lowest in our comparison.

The oil extraction is carried out at low temperature and the products are decontaminated according to the standards established by the GOED (Global Organization for EPA and DHA).

Novoma is a quality French brand offering supplements concentrated in active ingredients at controlled prices (read our full review here).

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# HIGHEST CONCENTRATION

This supplement from Nutripure is the most concentrated in our selection, but it has a higher daily cost.

The Totox index and the certificate of analysis are compliant, and this product has the Friend of the Sea label (sustainably caught, away from polluted areas).

Nutripure is a supplement company founded by two brothers, one of whom is a sports champion, offering a wide range of products (our review here).

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What are omega-3s?

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids known as “polyunsaturated” and belong to the family of lipids. They are necessary for the proper development and functioning of the human body.

They particularly support and protect the cardiovascular and brain systems. They also improve skin appearance.

Among the 11 existing ones, there are 3 main types of omega-3s :

• the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) : mainly present in vegetable oils (flaxseed, canola, walnuts…). It is converted into EPA and DHA to be used by the body 
• the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) : it is mainly found in fatty fish (sardines, mackerel, herring…) and in cod liver oil
• the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) : also present in fatty fish and in cod liver oil

Omega-3s act synergistically, but they also have properties of their own: EPA, in particular, contributes to reducing inflammation and supporting emotional stability.

DHA helps maintain normal brain function, plays a role in vision, and contributes to fetal development.

Omega-3s are called “essential” because they are not synthesized by the body.

On relève cependant que les acides EPA et DHA peuvent être produits par le corps mais uniquement en présence d’acide alpha-linolénique (ALA). Ce dernier est donc le précurseur de tous les autres oméga-3.

They can be obtained through the diet by consuming omega-3-rich foods: seeds, nuts, flaxseed oil, fatty fish…

Taking a dietary supplement is also a good way to supplement, remedy, and/or prevent a deficiency.

What are their benefits?

They protect the cardiovascular system

Omega-3s support cardiovascular function. They protect the heart and arteries, help balance cardiac function, and reduce arrhythmias.

They prevent cardiovascular diseases (heart attacks, atherosclerosis…) and the formation of clots in blood vessels.

Once in the body, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is converted into eicosanoids, lipid molecules. These exert an anti-inflammatory effect that reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

They also contribute to the regulation of blood coagulation, cardiac function, and blood pressure. EPA acts in synergy with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as shown by this study.

In general, all omega-3s improve the lipid profile. This means they lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. When present in excess, these fats contribute to the development of heart disease.

Finally, omega-3s help to reduce blood pressure by promoting vasodilation, as shown by this study. Hypertension is one of the main risk factors for heart disease.

They support the nervous system

These omegas also have beneficial effects on the nervous system. Thus, they promote mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety.

Moreover, they support cognitive functions (memory, concentration), prevent depression, and improve associated symptoms.

In this study, consumption of cod liver oil, rich in omega-3s, led to improved symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is thought to be due to a reduction of brain inflammation by fatty acids.

They improve the appearance of the skin

Omega-3s contribute to the beauty and health of the skin. Indeed, they are components of the membrane of skin cells.

In addition to providing suppleness and elasticity, they protect and hydrate to prevent dryness. To do this, they strengthen the skin barrier, thereby limiting the evaporation of water through the epidermis.

They also improve skin comfort in cases of itching or hives.

Research also shows their benefits on skin diseases such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or eczema. In this study, omega-3 supplementation reduced the inflammatory process involved in skin diseases.

They relieve joint pain

A diet sufficiently rich in omega-3s, or supplementation, enables the reduction of joint inflammation. 

A meta-analysis (study synthesis) indicates that omega-3 supplementation for 3 to 4 months reduces the intensity and frequency of joint pain, morning stiffness, and the use of anti-inflammatory medications, particularly in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

They prevent chronic inflammation

The inflammatory response is a natural defense system.

However, if it persists over time, it can eventually lead to the onset of chronic inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, asthma, digestive diseases, etc). 

This review shows the beneficial and protective effects of omega-3s on these diseases. 

Another study conducted on 25,000 participants aged 45 to 74 years observed that dietary omega-3 intake was associated with protection against the onset of ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease).

Finally, omega-3s could play a positive role against respiratory diseases : asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), as shown by this review of studies.

But large-scale studies are lacking and are needed to validate these theories.

They increase our life expectancy

Omega-3s are involved in many vital functions of the body. They thus help provide natural cardiovascular protection, but may also be able to protect brain health.

A review combining 25 trials and 3,633 people reports that omega-3 supplementation is correlated with an improvement in biological markers (indicators of a patient’s health status).

These omega-3s also appear beneficial for people suffering from, or at risk of developing, neuropsychiatric disorders, which is why they are of interest against neurodegeneration in older adults. Further research is needed to validate their use for this indication. 

Where to buy omega-3 supplements?

• Pharmacies and parapharmacies
• Organic stores
• Specialized stores (sports nutrition, dietary supplements…)
• Specialized e-commerce

What criteria should be taken into account?

1. Form

Omega-3 supplements come as softgels or capsules. Because they are fatty substances, they cannot be offered in regular hard capsules.

They are manufactured using a complex encapsulation process and an oil stabilization technology.

The oils are found as omega-3 fatty acid triglycerides, or as ethyl esters.

The triglyceride forms come from fish oils and contain EPA and DHA. It is a natural form of fatty acid storage, and therefore is well absorbed.

Conversely, the ethyl ester forms, found in many supplements, appear to be less well absorbed.

This non-natural form comes from mixing ethanol with an omega-3-rich oil. Inexpensive, the ethyl ester form is more fragile.

We recommend choosing a natural triglyceride form rather than an ethyl ester. Opinions are mixed, but the latter seem less stable, more prone to oxidation, and less well absorbed by the body, as observed in this trial conducted on 54 adults.

2. Origin

Capsules may contain plant-based oils (oils from camelina, hemp…) or marine-derived oils (anchovy, sardine, mackerel oils…). As shown by this study, the conversion of ALA to DHA is more limited with plant oils.

There is also algal oil, derived from the microalga Schizochytrium sp. It has a high concentration of DHA as shown by this study. It is a good alternative for vegetarians and vegans.

If you choose a marine source, opt for supplements based on wild fish oil. Indeed, farmed fish are often contaminated with heavy metals such as mercury.

You will also find krill oil, sourced from the crustacean of the same name. This oil demonstrates excellent bioavailability, at least equal to fish oil, and possibly higher as indicated by this review of studies.

The manufacturer must be able to provide a certificate of analysis for microbiological testing and heavy metals.

3. Omega-3 content

Each capsule should contain a sufficient amount of fish oil (minimum 500 mg per capsule).

Make sure to check the EPA and DHA content, the most important types of omega-3. The supplement must contain them, and in balanced quantities.

The different forms all contain EPA and DHA. Fish oil generally contains about as much EPA as DHA.

Krill oil also contains both omega-3s, with a higher EPA content in terms of the EPA/DHA ratio. Finally, the  microalga Schizochytrium sp is rich in DHA.

The omega-3 content will depend on the raw material used, but also on the omega-3 extraction process. Manufacturers may use a chemical or enzymatic solvent. The latter should be preferred because it ensures the quality and stability of the oils.

4. Composition

The composition should be as natural as possible. Avoid products containing preservatives or GMOs. Since omega-3s are molecules, they cannot be certified organic.

The capsules should also contain antioxidants such as vitamin E or rosemary extract. Indeed, omega-3s are very sensitive to oxidation and can degrade quickly.

Prefer laboratories that provide certificates of analysis for heavy metals and other contaminants that may be present in products.

This is all the more important for omega-3 supplements, because a poor-quality fish oil can contain a number of them. You can find these documents on the brands’ websites. 

Favor products with certifications (Friends of the Sea, ASC label, Sustainable Fishing label). Note that the presence of heavy metals remains possible with these labels, as they mainly guarantee responsible fishing but not the absence of toxins.

Always opt for microalgae or lower food-chain fish (anchovies, herring, sardines) and avoid predatory fish like tuna. 

If the brand only lists “fish oils” in its ingredients, ask the manufacturer for more details or move on.

5. Price

The price of capsules varies depending on the brand, the omega-3 content, and the manufacturing process.

Generally, expect between €15 and €25 for 120 capsules.

To summarize

To ensure you choose a quality omega-3 supplement, check:

1. Form : preferably choose softgels or capsules. Omega-3 powders or gummies are generally lower in EPA and DHA.
2. Origin : omega-3s can be of plant or marine origin. In that case, choose oils from wild-caught fish.
3. Omega-3 content : the product should contain a sufficient amount of EPA and DHA.
4. Composition : it should be natural, without preservatives and with antioxidants.
5. A label or certification : they ensure responsible fishing and minimal pollution.
6. Price : it ranges from €15 to €25 for 120 capsules.

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BEST VALUE FOR MONEY

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EXCELLENT ALTERNATIVE

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HIGHEST CONCENTRATION

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