Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)

Essential omega-3 fatty acids crucial for cardiovascular health, brain function, and inflammation control

Scientific nameOmega-3 Fatty Acids FormulaEPA: C20H30O2, DHA: C22H32O2 Molecular weightEPA: 302.45, DHA: 328.49 g/mol CASEPA: 10417-94-4, DHA: 6217-54-5

85 absorption score

8 safety / 10

25 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) with:

90 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Enhanced cardiovascular health

Supports healthy heart rhythm, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels

EPA/DHA reduce inflammation, improve endothelial function, and support cardiac health Evidence A-grade 4-12 weeks

Improved brain function and cognitive health

Supports memory, focus, and overall cognitive performance

DHA is essential for brain structure and neurotransmitter function Evidence A-grade 6-16 weeks

Reduced inflammation

Provides powerful anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body

EPA/DHA produce anti-inflammatory mediators and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines Evidence A-grade 2-8 weeks

Enhanced eye health

Supports retinal health and may reduce risk of eye diseases

DHA is concentrated in retinal tissue and essential for visual function Evidence B-grade 8-24 weeks

Improved mood and mental health

May help with depression, anxiety, and overall mood stability

Omega-3s support neurotransmitter production and brain inflammation reduction Evidence B-grade 6-12 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) Energy & nerve support 250-1000 mcg A 70% Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Heart health & cellular energy 100-200mg A 10% L-Theanine Calm focus & stress relief 100-400mg B 90% Psyllium Husk Digestive health & cholesterol support 5-15g A 95% Vitamin B8 (Inositol) Mental health & PCOS support 2-18g (condition dependent) B 95% SAM-e Mood support & liver health 400-800mg A 70%

Or a different form of the same thing

the comparison people search most

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) vs Krill Oil absorption 85 against 95 · $25 against $60 a month 95%

All Omega forms ranked by absorption →

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) High omega-6 intake reduces omega-3 benefits Needs attention 40

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Enhanced cardiovascular protection Works better together 78

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Vitamin D3 Protects fish oil from oxidation Works better together 90

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) + Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Protects fish oil from oxidation Works better together 90

Dosage

With meals

Daily1-2g EPA/DHA

General health500mg-1g EPA/DHA daily

Cardiovascular1-2g EPA/DHA daily

Anti inflammatory2-3g EPA/DHA daily

Therapeutic3-4g EPA/DHA daily (medical supervision)

Before you take it

Pregnancyrecommended

VeganNo — animal derived

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for inflammation and mood benefits

Peak Benefits8-16 weeks for sustained cardiovascular and cognitive benefits

Deficiency DevelopmentWeeks to months with inadequate intake

Toxicity OnsetRare, mainly bleeding risk with very high doses

How to measure it

$100-200

MarkerOmega-3 Index (RBC EPA/DHA percentage)

Optimal8-12% of total fatty acids

Deficient below<4%

FrequencyEvery 6-12 months if supplementing

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 557 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Dyspnoea 68

Diarrhoea 52

Nausea 48

Dizziness 41

Hypersensitivity 36

Excluded from the list above: choking (38). Those are people struggling with the tablet itself, not with the compound.

Named as the suspect 557 reports of 1,000+ that mention it at all

Serious outcome 83% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event360

Hospitalization174

Visited a Health Care Provider117

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption Very high 85 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound

Delivered daily 1275 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.07 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Vitamin E

Protects fish oil from oxidation

Antioxidant protection preserves omega-3 integrity · level A

Vitamin D

Both support immune and cardiovascular health

Complementary effects on inflammation and immunity · level B

Coq10

Enhanced cardiovascular protection

Complementary cardioprotective and antioxidant effects · level B

What not to take with Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)

2 documented

Omega 6 Excess

High omega-6 intake reduces omega-3 benefits

Competition for enzymes and pro-inflammatory balance · major significance

Trans Fats

Trans fats interfere with omega-3 metabolism

Disrupts fatty acid metabolism and membrane function · major significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

blood-thinners-warfarin Moderate

May increase bleeding risk

What to do: Monitor INR closely, may need dose adjustments

blood-pressure-medications Minor

May enhance blood pressure lowering

What to do: Monitor blood pressure

cyclosporine Beneficial

May reduce kidney toxicity of drug

What to do: May be protective

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Ranks 5 of 5 among omega forms. Krill Oil absorbs better — 95%. Compare all forms →

Fish Oil (Triglyceride Form) 85

Fish Oil (Triglyceride Form): Best absorption, Natural form, Excellent research, Multiple benefits

Food sources

before you supplement

Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines) 1-3g EPA/DHA per 100g · 90

Fish oil supplements Variable, check label · 85

Cod liver oil 0.2-0.3g EPA/DHA per tsp · 85

Krill oil Lower concentration but good absorption · 90

Too little

deficiency signs

Cardiovascular disease and poor heart health
Cognitive decline and poor brain function
Chronic inflammation and joint pain
Depression and mood disorders
Dry skin and hair problems
Poor wound healing
Immune system dysfunction

Too much

toxicity signs

Generally safe, but high doses may cause:
Increased bleeding tendency
Fishy aftertaste and digestive upset
Potential immune suppression at very high doses
Vitamin A/D toxicity from liver oils

Who benefits most

cardiovascular-health

Essential for heart health, blood pressure, and cholesterol management

1-2g EPA/DHA daily

brain-cognitive-health

Critical for brain function, memory, and cognitive performance

1-2g EPA/DHA daily (higher DHA)

inflammation-arthritis

Powerful anti-inflammatory effects for joint and systemic health

2-3g EPA/DHA daily

depression-mood-disorders

May help improve mood and support mental health

1-2g EPA/DHA daily (higher EPA)

pregnancy-development

Essential for fetal brain development and maternal health

300-600mg DHA daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) at 1-2g EPA/DHA per serving. The form that matters here is Fish Oil (Triglyceride Form).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

Trans fats

Trans fats interfere with omega-3 metabolism

Disrupts fatty acid metabolism and membrane function

How it works

EPA and DHA incorporate into cell membranes affecting fluidity and function
Produce anti-inflammatory mediators like resolvins and protectins
Reduce production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids
Essential for brain development and neurotransmitter function
Support endothelial function and cardiovascular health
Modulate gene expression related to inflammation and metabolism

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Extensive evidence for cardiovascular disease prevention
Important for brain health and cognitive function
Powerful anti-inflammatory effects for multiple conditions
Generally safe with excellent benefit-to-risk ratio

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)?

Documented effects: Enhanced cardiovascular health; Improved brain function and cognitive health; Reduced inflammation; Enhanced eye health. Supports healthy heart rhythm, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels

How much Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) should you take per day?

The common daily range is 1-2g EPA/DHA. By goal — general health: 500mg-1g EPA/DHA daily; cardiovascular: 1-2g EPA/DHA daily; anti inflammatory: 2-3g EPA/DHA daily; therapeutic: 3-4g EPA/DHA daily (medical supervision).

When is the best time to take Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)?

With meals. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for inflammation and mood benefits.

What are the side effects of Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)?

At excessive doses: Generally safe, but high doses may cause:, Increased bleeding tendency, Fishy aftertaste and digestive upset, Potential immune suppression at very high doses, Vitamin A/D toxicity from liver oils. Safety rating at normal doses is 8 out of 10.

What should you not take with Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)?

Separate it from Omega 6 Excess, Trans Fats by two to four hours. High omega-6 intake reduces omega-3 benefits

Does Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) interact with medications?

Documented interactions with blood-thinners-warfarin, blood-pressure-medications, cyclosporine. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)?

The marker is Omega-3 Index (RBC EPA/DHA percentage), optimal range 8-12% of total fatty acids. Common deficiency signs: Cardiovascular disease and poor heart health, Cognitive decline and poor brain function, Chronic inflammation and joint pain, Depression and mood disorders.

Taken for

52 Brain & Focus

Caffeine · DHA · Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)

52 Heart

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) · EPA · Olive Oil Extract