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Fish Oil (EPA/DHA Concentrate)

Fatty acidomega-3Strong dose evidence

Also known as: omega-3 fish oil, EPA/DHA, marine omega-3, fish oil concentrate, omega-3 ethyl esters, omega-3 triglycerides

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Fish oil concentrate is a refined marine oil enriched in the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is sold in triglyceride, re-esterified triglyceride, and ethyl ester forms at concentrations from roughly 30% to over 80% combined EPA+DHA. Formulators dose it on the EPA+DHA content rather than on total oil, because the same milligram of oil can carry very different amounts of active fatty acids. It is one of the most widely used supplement ingredients and is commonly included in heart, brain, joint, and general wellness products.

Research summary

EPA and DHA are incorporated into cell membrane phospholipids and serve as precursors to resolvins and other lipid mediators involved in the inflammatory response; they also lower hepatic triglyceride output.

HeartInflammationJointMemoryGeneral health

Dosage

Daily amounts, of extract.

Lowest studiedTypical rangeHighest studiedUpper limit
500 mg500–2,000 mg4,000 mg—

Doses are expressed as mg of combined EPA+DHA, not mg of oil. A 60% concentrate supplies about 600 mg EPA+DHA per 1,000 mg oil, so 1 mg EPA+DHA corresponds to roughly 1.67 mg oil (the assumption used for raw_material_mg_per_dose_unit); a 30% oil would need about 3.3 mg oil per mg EPA+DHA and an 80% oil about 1.25 mg. Meta-regression of 40 trials found cardiovascular effects that scaled with EPA+DHA dose; the REDUCE-IT trial used 4 g/day of purified EPA ethyl ester, the highest dose in a major outcome trial. Take with a meal containing fat for better absorption. Fishy aftertaste is reduced with enteric or flavored softgels.

Standardization: Stated as % or mg EPA and DHA per 1,000 mg oil (e.g. 360 mg EPA / 240 mg DHA); triglyceride or ethyl ester form should be declared

Source material: anchovy, sardine, mackerel body oil (molecularly distilled)

As supplied: Assumes a 60% EPA+DHA concentrate (about 600 mg EPA+DHA per 1,000 mg oil); adjust for the actual supplier concentration

Forms of Omega-3

FormTypical doseElement %FormatsPrice
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA Concentrate)500–2,000 mg—Softgel, Liquidmid
Krill Oil500–2,000 mg—Softgel, Liquidhigh
Algal DHA (Algae Oil)200–500 mg—Softgel, Liquidhigh
Cod Liver Oil1,000–2,000 mg—Softgel, Liquidmid

Format suitability

  • Capsule
  • Powder
  • Tablet
  • Softgel
  • Gummy
  • Liquid

Oil-based; softgel or liquid only. Softgel fill is limited to roughly 1,000-1,400 mg oil per capsule, so higher EPA+DHA targets require concentrated oil or multiple softgels. Oxidation-prone; use nitrogen-flushed fill and antioxidants such as mixed tocopherols.

Formulation notes

Mild antiplatelet effect at multi-gram doses; note when stacking with other omega-3 sources (krill, algal, cod liver oil) so the combined EPA+DHA is counted once. Pairs well with vitamin E as an in-product antioxidant.

  • Allergen: fish
  • Notable drug interactions

Sources

  1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids — Health Professional Fact SheetNIH ODS
  2. Effect of Omega-3 Dosage on Cardiovascular Outcomes: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Interventional Trials. (Bernasconi 2021)PubMed
  3. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. (Abdelhamid 2020)PubMed
  4. Cardiovascular Risk Reduction with Icosapent Ethyl for Hypertriglyceridemia. (Bhatt 2019)PubMed

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