Good To Know On Fish Oil

[Lucky]

Read the Label


When you buy capsules of omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil you are likely to see labels that read something like "Fish Oil — 1,000 milligrams." What you need to know is that the 1,000 milligrams refers to the total weight of the capsule, not its omega-3 content.
You need to look at the fine print on the side of the label, where the actual omega-3 fatty acid content will be listed. This will usually be 300 milligrams or 500 milligrams, and is often broken out as DHA and EPA, the two omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil.

The sum of these two is the total omega-3 content of the capsule. Again, aim for a total dose of 800 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams.

 

[anthrax]

Thanx for this info

BTW the only interesting thing you should look on the label are the dosage of DHA and EPA

 

[chillin408]

Good thread to inform of the possible deceiving statements on fish oil supplement labels. The fish oil softgels that I buy note something to the effect of "1000 mg with omega 3 fatty acids" in big print on the front and 2000 mg for every 2 softgels is indicated on the side label, so I think that the 1000 mg refers to the fat content in each capsule minus the actual capsule...

Also, I was looking at the USDA site some time ago and saw that fish oil does contain the same omega 3 fatty acid that is in flax oil in additon to EPA and DHA. So if the label notes a certain amount of omega 3's in the product, it wouldn't suprise me if they take it into account in their total omega 3 content, which would be accurate in any case. Mine, and I think most, list the amount of EPA and DHA on the side label. The one I buy does not list a mg amount under "omega 3."