>>> MISLEADING LABELING --- but a good product
"2000mg OMEGA-3 CAPSULES?
> Sounds great – 2000mg Omega-3 --- so one capsule/day for 2000mg/day. Right? Nope. The capsules are actually 1000mg each, so you have to take 2/day to get 2000mg/day. In fact, the individual capsules are absolutely identical in Nature Made fish oil bottles labeled 2000mg Omega-3 and in Nature Made fish oil bottles labeled 1000mg Omega-3. Again, in either case the individual capsules contain only 1000mg Omega-3 each, regardless of how the bottles are labeled.
> On a per capsule basis (or on a per 1000mg dose basis) the capsules in the NatureMade bottles labeled “2000mg Omega-3" are generally more expensive than NatureMade bottles labeled as “1000mg Omega-3". It's just a marketing trick -- which obviously works on people who do not actually read the label. I find this trick very disappointing for a brand ("NatureMade") which I otherwise trust.
> One misled reviewer writes words to the effect that "Hurrah, I only have to take a capsule once a day to get my 2000mg dosage". Nope, you have to take two capsules, and it is still best to take them at different times of the day, if you want get the maximum benefit, and (if you have a particularly sensitive digestive system) to minimize the chance of "fish burbs" or an upset stomach.
HOW MUCH OMEGA-3 DO YOU NEED?
> That's a question for your doctor. But in my opinion, 1000mg/day would probably be about the minimum to see any benefit. If you have any actual health problems (high cholesterol, joint problems etc.) 2000mg/day, would be the minimum. If you are taking Omega-3 to control triglycerides, then 3000mg/day is probably about the minimum. I take 3000mg/day, one capsule in the morning, one at lunch, and one in the evening. I eat sardines, mackerel, smoked trout, salmon, cod, tuna, barimundi, or other oily fish, at least once most days for another 1000-2000mg of Omega-3.
CAPSULES TOO LARGE?
> Some reviews complain that the capsules are too large. Hate to break it to you, but there is no other way to get 1000mg Omega-3 in a single capsule.
> But, the capsules are NOT to big to swallow. You swallow larger chunks of food with every meal you eat. Really, I used to swallow 5 various (citrical, glucosamine, and 3 fishoil capsules) capsules/tablets all together AT THE SAME TIME, with no problem at all.
> The bottom line is that if you THINK that you'll gag, then you'll gag. If you DON'T think that you'll gag, then you won't gag. If you are a gagger (as I once was), the solution to easily swallowing large capsules is to moisten your mouth and throat with a sip of water, toss the pills back (like tossing back a shot of whisky) and follow with a larger sip of water. It can help to put the capsule in a little pill cup to toss it back. Toss'm back, so that you swallow automatically and your conscious brain doesn't have a chance to think about it. Once you convince yourself that you won't gag, then you can swallow large capsules or caplets just like any other pill without a second's thought. It may take a while -- you may need to toss'm back for months, but that really isn't a big problem. You can do it.
>> SMALLER CAPSULES -- Sure, you can buy smaller capsules which contain only about 450mg Omega-3 each -- but you'd have to take 5 or 6 of them per day to get the equivalent of two or three 1000mg Omega-3 capsules. Dose for dose, the smaller capsules are more expensive than 1000mg Omega-3 capsules.
FISH BREATH
> Many reviewers of fish oil capsules complain about burping fish stink. Happens to me once or twice a year. So, don't assume that fish burps will be a problem. Albeit, most of the complaints about fish-breath are probably about "no-name" brands of fishoil. Most likely those fish oil capsules contain poorly stored unrefined fish oil which contains only a 1/3, or less, of the Omega-3 dosage claimed. If you have a particularly sensitive digestive system, and burp fish stink with Nature Made Omega-3 capsules, then take one capsule at a time, with food.
QUALITY
> Aside from the misleading labeling, how good are the NatureMade capsules? Over-the-counter fish oil supplements are unregulated, so, I very much doubt if "no name" Omega-3 capsules really contain the amount of Omega-3 claimed (and, in fact, testing has shown this). Concentrating the Omega-3 oils so that you can have 1000mg in a single capsule is an expensive process. NatureMade is at least the most prestigious non-prescription brand of 1000mg Omega-3 capsules out there. If you want to be absolutely sure you are getting the full 1000mg/capsule Omega-3 dose, then get a prescription for Lovaza.
OMEGA-3 FISHOIL, VESCEPA, OR LOVAZA?
> LOVAZA (which also contains ~1000mg Omega-3) capsules are essentially the same thing as NatureMade 1000mg Omega-3, but of guaranteed prescription dosage and purity. Both contain comparable amounts of DHA and EPA (types of Omega-3s). EPA is most effective for reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, etc. to promote heart health. DHA is most effective for joints, skin, and nerve (including brain) health. Lovaza is available in generic form which may be priced comparably to NatureMade 1000mg Omega-3, and may (with a doctor’s prescription) be free to you, depending on your insurance.
> VESCEPA (which also contains ~1000mg Omega-3) is EPA Omega-3 only. It has been proven to be effective in minimizing cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and is often prescribed by cardiologists. Vescepa contains little DHA Omega-3. Vescepa is not available in generic form, and is very expensive unless it is covered by your insurance.
> MY EXPERIENCE I monitor my triglyceride level weekly (with a Cardiochek monitor), and I have taken 3 months of Lovaza, 3 months of Vescepa, and years of NatureMade Omega-3 (and several other more expensive specialty brands). In my experience, all are equally effective in reducing my triglyceride levels. So, they should have the same effect on total cholesterol. I judge that I need both DHA and EPA Omega-3 — so, I take 3 capsules of NatureMade Omega-3 per day .
RECOMMENDATION
Even if your cardiologist strongly recommends Vescepa, consider Lovaza or NatureMade 1000mg Omega-3 instead, or in addition (to also get the benefits of DHA Omega-3). If your cardiologist wants you to take 3000mg of Vescepa (3 capsules/day, the usual dosage), you can take 4 capsules of Lovaza or NatureMade 1000mg Omega-3 to be sure that you are getting the full 3000mg dosage of EPA Omega-3. In my experience, that's unnecessary --- I just offer the suggestion to anyone who is concerned about not exactly following their cardiologist's advice.
> When I showed my cardiologist the results of my 3 month trials of Lovaza, Vesepa, and NatureMade 1000mg Omega-3 (with weekly testing of my cholesterol and triglyceride levels), he agreed that 3000mg daily of NatureMade 1000mg Omega-3 was doing the job.
VEGAN OMEGA-3 OIL
> Vegan Omega-3 oils are worth consideration -- particularly if your main reason for taking Omega-3 is joint or nervous system health. Vegan Omega-3 is usually about only about 25% EPA (best for heart health), and 75% DHA (best for joints). Note however that Omega-3 from fishoil is usually about 70% EPA -- and so, is the best choice for heart health, or combined heart, joints, and nervous system health.
>> If you see claims that Vegan Omega-3 capsules are smaller than fishoil Omega-3 capsules -- that's just a marketing trick -- the capsules are smaller because they contain only about 450mg Omega-3 --- in which case you'd need to take 7 to get the 3000mg daily dose that I take.
>> Why not buy the cheaper fishoil capsules which contain only about 350mg Omega-3? You'd need to swallow 9 or 10 a day to get a 3000mg dosage. If you ate all that fishoil, you'd probably have constant diarrhea and other unpleasant side effects -- such a burping fish stink."
