What You Need To Know
Optimal Triglyceride Control with Fish Oil
- Elevated triglycerides promote athero-sclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
- Life Extension considers optimal fasting triglyceride levels to be well below 100 mg/dL.
- Fish oil, which includes the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, lowers triglycerides by increasing their removal from the bloodstream and decreasing their release from the liver.
- Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce triglycerides by up to 50% in people with high levels. They also lower triglycerides in people with moderately elevated levels.18
- One meta-analysis found that EPA and DHA intake was associated with a 35% reduced risk of fatal heart attacks.3
What To Look For In A Supplement
Dietary supplements arent regulated in the U.S., so its impossible to know just what youre getting when you pluck a bottle off the shelfunless it has USP Dietary Supplement Verification, which means the product has been tested to verify it contains what the label says it does. Just look for the USP seal on the label.
Choose an over-the-counter omega-3 supplement thats purified and contains EPA and DHA, says Robert Greenfield, M.D., a cardiologist at Memorial Care Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.
Best Fish Oil Supplement To Lower Triglycerides
Dont worry. You dont have to go vegan or vegetarian, but you do need to slow the intake of red meat. Eat more chicken . Fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, and mackerel are good too.
Fish has omega 3s, which are a great way to lower triglycerides. You can also take an Omega 3 supplement to assist in reducing your triglycerides. I use Nordic Naturals Omega 2X, but I started off using the regular Ultimate Omega. If you are struggling to get your levels down, give this a try, this is one of the best fish oil to lower triglycerides. It has done wonders for me so far. And far less expensive than the $500 fish oil my doctor prescribed me, and no, my insurance did not cover it!
Thats right, $500 for freakin fish oil pills. While this is probably necessary for the high and very high ranges, my insurance didnt cover it. Thats a great feeling finding out in the pharmacy line. I knew I could keep using Nordic Naturals Omega 2x, do everything mentioned here, and get it down. To do this, you must be 100% committed and diligent.
My triglycerides dropped 46 points from January to April after cutting back on red meat , eating more fish, and switching to the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 2X. I cant eat red meat but once a week. Do what works best for you.
You gotta track the food changes, so you know these things about yourself and how your body responds.
You May Like: How Long Does It Take To Drop Cholesterol Levels
Who May Not Benefit From Fish Oil Supplements
If you are healthy and not at risk of heart disease, consuming a balanced diet that includes fish will provide you with enough omega-3 fats, and there is no need to supplement with fish oil. The American Heart Association recommends one to two servings of fatty fish per week for general heart health.
Research currently does not recommend fish oil supplementation for the following situations:
- Those looking to prevent strokes: Research does not support fish oil supplementation to prevent stroke or atrial fibrillation . In fact, a 2021 review of a collection of studies reported that omega-3 supplementation increased the risk of atrial fibrillation.
- Those with inflammatory bowel disease: Research does not currently support use of omega-3 supplements in treating inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohns disease.
- Those taking blood-thinning medication: High-dose omega-3 supplementation can lead to blood thinning. If you are taking anticoagulant medication such as warfarin , you should only consider fish oil supplementation under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
- Those taking blood pressure lowering medication: Fish oil may lower blood pressure slightly, so if you are taking medication be sure to consult with a healthcare provider.
How We Select Supplements
Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.
We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. We prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent, third-party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.
It’s important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.
Recommended Reading: Is Cheese Bad For Cholesterol
Ingredients & Potential Interactions
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.
Fish oil supplements typically contain EPA, DHA, and may also contain other fats such as omega-7 , oleic acid, or an omega-6 fat called GLA. Some fish oil supplements contain added vitamins, such as vitamin E, to help stabilize the oils to prevent them from going rancid.
Fish oil supplements can have a blood-thinning effect and may lower blood pressure slightly. If you are taking blood-thinning or blood pressure lowering medication, be sure to discuss fish oil supplement use with a healthcare provider.
Is It Better Than Other Omega
Fish oil supplements supply EPA and DHA and many also have vitamins A and D.
Meanwhile, general omega-3 supplements may or may not contain EPA and DHA, depending on whether they are derived from fish, sea algae or plant oils.
If your omega-3 supplement is made from sea algae, it has EPA and DHA. Usually, these supplements are high in DHA and low in EPA .
On the other hand, fish oil supplements likely have higher amounts of EPA than DHA, while plant-oil-based supplements give high amounts of ALA.
Although all omega-3s provide benefits, the most beneficial are EPA and DHA .
If you do not eat fatty fish regularly, a fish oil supplement may boost your EPA and DHA levels. However, if you dont consume any fish products, an algae-based supplement is a good alternative.
Otherwise, an omega-3 supplement made from plant oils will help increase your overall intake of omega-3s but likely wont raise your EPA or DHA levels.
Summary
Not all omega-3s are equal. While fish oil supplements provide EPA and DHA, most plant sources of omega-3 give ALA which can be difficult to convert into EPA and DHA.
Recommended Reading: Does Virgin Coconut Oil Increase Cholesterol
How To Choose The Right Fish Oil Supplement
There are hundreds of choices of fish oil supplements. However, not all are created equal. According to Labdoor, almost half dont contain the daily recommendation of 500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, some are contaminated with mercury and other toxins. So its best to make sure whichever supplement brand you choose is third-party tested and is transparent about heavy metal testing and where exactly the firsh oil is sourced. Each manufacturer provides recommended daily dosages. However, we suggest consulting with a nutrition or healthcare professional a choose a dose based on your specific biomarkers.
Keep in mind that while fish oil supplements have proven benefits, we recommend getting some of your omega-3 acids from natural sources such as fatty fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts. These whole foods also contain many other nutrients and healthy substances that maximize the benefits of fish oil supplements. Two to three servings of fatty fish per week satisfy the weekly requirement of omega-3 fatty acids. If you do not like these foods or find them hard to fit into your diet, supplements might be most beneficial.
How Effective Can Prescription Fish Oil Be
In various clinical trials, approved fish-oil formulations lowered triglycerides by 25% or more, though how effective they were depended a bit on the triglyceride level a person started with and the dose of medicine they took.
Basically, youd be hard-pressed to take enough over-the-counter fish oil capsules to get the omega-3 load that appears in a prescription pill. Another perk to getting your omega-3s this way? You wont burp fish when you take one, says Dr. Greenfield.
Recommended Reading: Natural Supplements For High Cholesterol And Triglycerides
What If Im Allergic To Fish Or Dont Want To Eat Fish
Fish is the best food source of omega-3 fatty acids, but several plants contain ALA. This is not as rich of a source of omega-3 fatty acids, but some studies show that ALA can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Good sources of ALA are ground or milled flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, soy foods and canola oil. Another source of ALA is algae or algae oil, which is broken down to DHA. Many foods that are fortified with omega-3 use algae oil. These are excellent options for vegetarians that do not eat fish.
There are currently no serving size recommendations for ALA-rich foods. But, adding these foods to your diet regularly may help your heart health.
Best Fish Oil To Lower Triglycerides Reviews
Choosing the appropriate fish oil to lower triglycerides can be tough. However, if you consider these factors, your job will be easier.
- Product Quality: One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a product is its quality. Nobody would want a low-quality or easily worn-out object. They are even willing to spend a somewhat greater price for a good product.
- Reliability and durability are inextricably linked. Because it is tough and resilient.
- Ease of Use-The main reason to purchase a fish oil to lower triglycerides is to alleviate as much effort of your task as possible. For this section of our review, we looked at what steps are required for operation and how much attention we had to pay.
- Ergonomics Ergonomics was a much simpler metric for these products. We split it into three aspects: comfort, aesthetics, and profile design. Most of our listed products are decently comfortable, and we think it is one of the groups sleeker and more stylish designs.
- Value is always important, but the range for fish oil to lower triglycerides is relatively narrow. We feel that the #1 model offers a great value for most people and that the #2 is great for advanced users.
After extensive research, we selected each of these fish oil to lower triglycerides based on their performance and dependability.
Best Overall fish oil to lower triglycerides:
This fish oil to lower triglycerides is the king of the hill.
This item can do it all and do it all the better than the rest.
Also Check: Diet For High Cholesterol & Triglycerides
What Causes An Omega
Omega-3 deficiency is usually caused by not consuming enough omega-3s through foods. However, most people in the U.S. get adequate amounts of omega-3s from dietary sources.
Some groups are at higher risk for an omega-3 deficiency, including people who restrict their dietary fat intake and those with eating disorders or other health conditions that cause malabsorption.
More About The Fatty Fish
The AHA recommends upping the two servings of fish to three if you have high triglycerides. But theres a glitch with relying on fish alone to lower triglycerides: Eating loads of it increases the risk of exposing yourself to possible environmental contaminants such as mercury and PCBs.
To minimize this exposure, pass on the large fish such as shark, fresh tuna, and tilefish. Opt instead for fish lower in the food chain, which tend to be less toxin-laden: Wild salmon, sardines, bluefish, Atlantic mackerel, and herring.
Don’t Miss: Healthy Diet For High Triglycerides
The 7 Best Fish Oil Supplements Of 2022
Our top recommendation is GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil Mini
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproducts. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Verywell / Sabrina Jiang
You might know that fish and, in particular, the omega-3 fats they contain, DHA and EPA, are an important part of a healthy diet. EPA and DHA are involved in fetal development, brain and eye health, and heart and blood vessel health. Our bodies produce only small amounts of EPA and DHA, so we have to get these fats from the diet or from supplements.
If you are healthy and are not at increased risk of heart disease, consuming a balanced diet that includes fish can provide you with adequate amounts of omega-3s. If you do not eat fish, have elevated levels of triglycerides , have had a recent heart attack, or if you have chronic heart failure, you may benefit from a fish oil supplement.
There are certain things to consider when searching for a supplement. Make sure it is third-party tested to ensure it is pure and safe and that it contains what it says on the bottle since fish oil can be contaminated with heavy metals. Make sure it does not contain fillers and that the fish they are using are listed on the bottle, says Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD of Within Nutrition.
Fish Oil With Statins
Some drugs that lower LDL cholesterol also decrease triglycerides. But they may not do enough.17,24,25
About one-third of all patients taking statin medications still have fasting triglyceride levels over150 mg/dL. This leaves them vulnerable to cardiovascular problems.26
Fish oil has proven to be effective for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events.27
A major trial called REDUCE-IT included 8,179 high-risk heart patients who had LDL cholesterol controlled by statins yet still had elevated triglycerides. They were given 4,000 mg of a prescription EPA-only fish oil or a placebo daily for about five years.28
The fish oil group had a median reduction from baseline in fasting triglycerides of 19.7% within one year compared to placebo. The placebo group had a slight increase in triglycerides.
The fish oil group also had a 25% reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events , compared to the placebo group.
Also Check: How Much Cholesterol Per Day Uk
May Benefit Eye Health
Omega-3 consumption has also been linked to ocular health. One major study involving over 32,400 women found that compared to those who ate little to no seafood, those with diets higher in omega-3s had a lower risk of dry eyeMiljanovic B, Trivedi KA, Dana MR, Gilbard JP, Buring JE, Schaumberg DA. Relation between dietary n3 and n6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women . The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005 82:887-893. .
When A Prescription Pill Might Work Best
Sometimes, people have triglyceride levels that stay above 500 mg/dL regardless of how much fish they eat, supplements they take, or heart-healthy changes they make. In this case, the best bet may be a prescription medication containing highly purified forms of omega-3s from fish oil.
But again, its not for everyone per the Food and Drug Administration, youve got to be at that 500 mg/dL level to get the script.
Don’t Miss: Fish Oil Dose For Triglycerides
Alzheimers Dementia And Cognitive Function
A 2012 review of 10 studies found that omega-3 supplementation does not affect cognitive function in healthy older adults or in those with Alzheimers disease. However, for those with mild cognitive impairment, omega-3s may improve certain aspects of cognitive function, such as processing speed and attention, but more research is needed.
Studies regarding use of fish oil to manage dry eye disease are inconsistent. If you have dry eyes associated with contact lenses, fish oil supplementation may be beneficial, but more research is needed.
How Much Is Too Much
High amounts of EPA and DHA may suppress the immune system. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 5 grams of EPA and DHA from supplements daily unless a healthcare provider indicates otherwise.
Side effects from fish oil supplements are usually mild but can include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, bad breath, nausea, diarrhea, headache, fishy burps, heartburn, and smelly sweat.
Recommended Reading: What Does High Ldl Cholesterol Mean
Don’t Miss: Does Almond Milk Lower Cholesterol
Fish Oils To Lower Triglycerides
Fish Oils to Lower Triglycerides
Elevated triglyceride levels commonly are seen in patients with diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome. Increased triglycerides are associated with more highly atherogenic lipoproteins, insulin resistance, and an increase in cardiovascular risk. Individuals that have high triglyceride levels associated with low HDL cholesterol levels and an elevated LDL/HDL ratio appear to be at a significantly increased cardiovascular risk.1
| Table 1 |
| * National Cholesterol Education Program AdultTreatment Panel III. Three of five required. |
Triglycerides and Disease
Normalization of high triglyceride levels can be difficult. Lifestyle modification with exercise, weight loss, and a diet low in complex carbohydrates can be effective in many individuals. Certain medications, such as the statin drugs and fibrates, can variably lower triglyceride levels. Omega-3 fatty acids in the form of dietary fish or fish oil capsules can help lower triglyceride levels both as a part of a lifestyle program and in combination with pharmacologic therapy.
Several genetic conditions are known to elevate triglyceride levels significantly, at times to values in excess of 1,000 mg/dL.4 Excessively high triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatitis.
Table 3
Fish Oil Dosage In Older Adults
While research does not clearly indicate that older adults need more or less fish or fish oil than other adults, older age is certainly associated with a higher cumulative burden of things like oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, and heart health considerations.
For this physiological reason, an intentional daily intake of marine omega-3s may be useful for supporting lipid health and cardiac function, and a high-quality fish oil supplement can certainly prove useful in that daily regimen.*
Read Also: Does Eating Oatmeal Help Lower Cholesterol