Fish Oil Softgels

About fish oil softgels

A fish oil softgel is a measured amount of fish oil, usually from anchovy, sardine or mackerel, in a sealed capsule. It’s a source of two omega-3s, EPA and DHA, which we mostly get from eating fish. People take it to support heart health and brain function, especially if fish isn’t a regular meal. Softgels make it simple: a set amount, no taste, taken with food.

How to choose a fish oil softgel

Compare the EPA and DHA, not the total fish oil. A typical 1000mg softgel has about 300mg of EPA and DHA combined. A concentrated one can have 700mg or more in a similar-sized softgel. Check the serving line too: some list amounts per two or four softgels, which changes how many you take.

High-EPA and high-DHA formulas

EPA and DHA are the two main omega-3s in fish oil, and formulas vary in the balance between them. Some are weighted toward EPA, some toward DHA, and some — including prenatal formulas — are built around DHA specifically. The label lists each one separately, so you can see the balance at a glance.

Triglyceride and ethyl ester forms

Fish oil occurs naturally as triglycerides. To concentrate it, the oil is often converted to ethyl esters (EE), so more EPA and DHA fit in each softgel. Some brands convert it back to triglyceride form, labelled re-esterified triglyceride (rTG). These are processing differences, so EPA and DHA per softgel is still the figure to compare.

Enteric-coated and flavoured softgels

Fishy aftertaste is the most common complaint about fish oil. Enteric-coated softgels have a coating designed to pass through the stomach before opening, and flavoured softgels — usually lemon — mask the taste. Taking fish oil with a meal also helps.

Other ways to take omega-3

If you’d rather not swallow softgels, liquid fish oil lets you take a larger amount by the spoonful. Cod liver oil also supplies vitamins A and D. Krill oil comes from small crustaceans rather than fish, and algae oil is the plant-based source of EPA and DHA.

Fish oil softgels in Canada

Every fish oil at Vitamart is licensed for sale in Canada. Look for the NPN on the label. All of it ships from our Ontario warehouse.