Heart Health
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Also known as: Fish oil (heart), Omega-3s, EPA, Fish oil for mood
A concentrated source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA) derived from oily fish tissues, widely used as a dietary supplement for cardiovascular and cognitive support. Standardized fish oil supplements typically provide defined amounts of EPA and DHA per dose.
Daily target & upper limit
500 mg / dayOmega-3 Fatty Acids has an established daily reference intake. See best forms, label synonyms, upper-limit warnings, and top-scoring supplements:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids dosage reference →Primary uses
- Depression support
- Mood
- Inflammation
- Brain health
- Cortisol reduction
- Stress resilience
- Triglycerides
- Heart rhythm
- Blood pressure
- Insulin sensitivity
- Hormone balance
- Lipid profile
How it works
- Reduces triglycerides
- Anti-inflammatory
- Membrane fluidity
- Heart rhythm support
Dosage
- Typical range
- 2-4g EPA+DHA for heart
- Timing
- With meals
- With food
- Yes
- Duration
- Ongoing
- Special populations
- High triglycerides, heart disease, post-MI
Forms
- High-EPA fish oil
- Algal EPA
- Fish oil capsules
- Triglyceride form
- Ethyl ester
- Prescription (Vascepa)
- Fish oil
- Algae oil
- softgels· 70/100
- liquid· 70/100
- enteric-coated softgels· 70/100
- ethyl ester form· 70/100
Safety
Common side effects
- Fishy burps
- GI upset
- Bruising
Contraindications
- Fish allergy
- Bleeding disorders
Products containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list Omega-3 Fatty Acids on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
Known interactions
- Synergywith curcumin
Fat improves curcumin absorption
- Warningwith omega-3
Fish oil may increase bleeding risk with warfarin
- Cautionwith omega-3
Fish oil adds to aspirin's antiplatelet effect
- Synergywith vitamin d
Fat improves vitamin D absorption
- Synergywith omega-3
Vitamin E protects omega-3 fats from oxidation
Evidence notes
Strong evidence for heart health
Grade A: Multiple well-designed human trials support the main claims.
Cited research for Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Clinical studies referenced across Formulate guides that mention omega-3 fatty acids. Each links to the full study page with PubMed source + the guides that cite it.
- Nicholls et al. (2020)JAMA
Effect of High-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids vs Corn Oil on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (STRENGTH)
- Skulas-Ray et al. (2019)Circulation
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association
- Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M, et al. (2019)New England Journal of Medicine
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction with Icosapent Ethyl for Hypertriglyceridemia (REDUCE-IT)
- Liao et al. (2019)Translational Psychiatry
Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: a meta-analysis
- Aung et al. (2018)JAMA Cardiology
Associations of omega-3 fatty acid supplement use with cardiovascular disease risks: meta-analysis of 10 trials involving 77,917 individuals
- Albert et al. (2015)Scientific Reports
Fish oil supplements in New Zealand are highly oxidised and do not meet label content of n-3 PUFA
- Mori (2014)Fitoterapia
Omega-3 fatty acids and hypertension in humans
- Dyerberg et al. (2010)Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids
Bioavailability of marine n-3 fatty acid formulations
Related in Heart Health
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