Home Ingredients EssentiOmega® (Fish Oil Omega-3 Concentrate — Naturmega)
CardiovascularCognitiveAnti-Inflammatory

EssentiOmega® (Fish Oil Omega-3 Concentrate — Naturmega)

Evidence Level
Strong
2 Clinical Trials
3 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

EssentiOmega® is a fish oil concentrate made by Naturmega and Originates that supplies the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Its effects are those of EPA and DHA themselves. The best supported effect is on blood fats: a Cochrane review of 86 randomized trials in over 162,000 people found that omega-3 supplements lower triglycerides by about 15%. The same review found little or no effect on deaths, cardiovascular events or strokes and at most a slight drop in coronary heart disease events, so this ingredient should not be taken in place of medical care for the heart. A pooled analysis of 68 randomized trials found that marine omega-3 supplements lowered blood markers of inflammation (CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha), including in healthy people. In the EU, DHA at 250 mg a day may carry the claim that it helps maintain normal brain function and vision. Fish oil can cause burping and a fishy aftertaste, and high doses may add to the effect of blood thinners.

Studied Dose EU claim conditions: 250 mg EPA plus DHA a day for normal heart function, 250 mg DHA for brain and vision, 2 g EPA plus DHA for triglycerides and 3 g for blood pressure. EU rules say supplements should not exceed 5 g a day of EPA plus DHA.
Active Compound Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA as a fish oil concentrate (the maker sells medium and high concentrates made by molecular distillation).

Benefits

Healthy triglycerides

In a Cochrane review of 86 randomized trials, omega-3 supplements lowered blood triglycerides by about 15%, and the effect grew with dose (high-certainty evidence). In the EU, the claim that EPA and DHA help maintain normal triglyceride levels needs 2 g a day.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Normal brain function (DHA)

DHA is a major structural fat in the brain. EU regulators allow the claim that DHA contributes to normal brain function when a product supplies 250 mg of DHA a day. This is a claim about meeting the body's need, not evidence that extra omega-3 sharpens memory in people who already eat enough.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Healthy inflammation markers (CRP, IL-6)

A pooled analysis of 68 randomized trials with 4,601 people found that marine omega-3 supplements lowered the blood inflammation markers CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in healthy people as well as in people with long-term illnesses. Longer use gave larger drops in IL-6, and in people with long-term illness the effect was weaker above a BMI of 30.

Supported by Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Membrane incorporation

EPA and DHA are built into the membranes of cells throughout the body, including the heart, brain and eyes, where they change membrane makeup and cell signaling.

2

Eicosanoid balance

Omega-3s are converted into signaling molecules, including resolvins, that help switch off inflammation. This is the usual explanation for the lower CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha seen in pooled trials.

Clinical trials

1
Omega-3 and Cardiovascular Health: Cochrane Review
PubMed

Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of 86 randomized trials (162,796 participants) of omega-3 fats for preventing heart and blood vessel disease, lasting 12 to 88 months. (Abdelhamid et al. 2020, Cochrane Database Syst Rev)

Adults at varying cardiovascular risk, mainly in high-income countries.

Omega-3 supplements lowered triglycerides by about 15% (high certainty). They had little or no effect on death from any cause (RR 0.97), cardiovascular death (RR 0.92, moderate certainty), cardiovascular events (RR 0.96, high certainty) or stroke, and may slightly reduce coronary heart disease events (RR 0.91, low certainty).

2
Marine Omega-3 and Inflammation Markers: Meta-Analysis
PubMed

Meta-analysis of 68 randomized controlled trials (4,601 participants) of marine omega-3 supplements and fasting blood CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. (Li et al. 2014, PLoS One)

Healthy people, people with long-term non-autoimmune illness and people with autoimmune illness.

Omega-3 supplements significantly lowered CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in all three groups. Longer supplementation gave larger drops in TNF-alpha and IL-6 in people with long-term illness, and in that group the effect was weaker in people with a BMI over 30. Omega-3 from food alone lowered IL-6 but not CRP or TNF-alpha.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated.
Fishy aftertaste, burping, or mild digestive upset can occur.
Take with meals and choose a quality, oxidation-tested oil.

Important Drug interactions

Blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs: high-dose omega-3 may add to their effect on bleeding, so ask your doctor.
Blood pressure medicines: high doses of omega-3 may add a small extra effect on blood pressure, so ask your doctor.
Tell your doctor before surgery if you take high doses.

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Frequently asked questions about EssentiOmega® (Fish Oil Omega-3 Concentrate — Naturmega)

What is EssentiOmega?

EssentiOmega® is a fish oil concentrate made by Naturmega and Originates that supplies the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Its effects are those of EPA and DHA themselves.

What is EssentiOmega used for?

EssentiOmega is researched primarily for Cardiovascular, Cognitive, and Anti-Inflammatory. In a Cochrane review of 86 randomized trials, omega-3 supplements lowered blood triglycerides by about 15%, and the effect grew with dose (high-certainty evidence).

What is the recommended dosage of EssentiOmega?

The clinically studied dose is EU claim conditions: 250 mg EPA plus DHA a day for normal heart function, 250 mg DHA for brain and vision, 2 g EPA plus DHA for triglycerides and 3 g for blood pressure. EU rules say supplements should not exceed 5 g a day of EPA plus DHA. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is EssentiOmega safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for EssentiOmega include: Generally well-tolerated. Fishy aftertaste, burping, or mild digestive upset can occur. It may also interact with some medications. EssentiOmega is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does EssentiOmega interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs: high-dose omega-3 may add to their effect on bleeding, so ask your doctor. Blood pressure medicines: high doses of omega-3 may add a small extra effect on blood pressure, so ask your doctor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for EssentiOmega?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for EssentiOmega as Strong (4 out of 5). It is backed by 2 study summaries and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, Biswas P, Thorpe GC, Moore HJ, Deane KH, Summerbell CD, Worthington HV, Song F, Hooper L. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD003177. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub5.PubMedUsed to support: Cochrane review of 86 randomized trials (162,796 people). Omega-3 supplements lowered triglycerides by about 15% in a dose-dependent way. They had little or no effect on all-cause death, cardiovascular death, cardiovascular events or stroke, and may slightly reduce coronary heart disease events (low certainty).
  2. European Commission Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and health, as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 536/2013 Official Journal of the European Union. 2012;OJ L 136, 25.5.2012, p. 1; amended by Regulation (EU) No 536/2013 of 11 June 2013. Based on EFSA Journal 2010;8(10):1796, 2010;8(10):1734 and 2011;9(4):2078..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed. The EU list of authorised claims: EPA and DHA contribute to normal heart function (250 mg a day); DHA contributes to normal brain function and normal vision (250 mg DHA a day). Regulation 536/2013 added normal blood triglycerides (2 g EPA plus DHA a day) and normal blood pressure (3 g a day), with a 5 g a day supplement ceiling. These are maintenance claims, not disease claims.
  3. Li K, Huang T, Zheng J, Wu K, Li D. Effect of marine-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on C-reactive protein, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α: a meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9(2):e88103. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088103.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 68 randomized trials (4,601 people). Marine omega-3 supplements lowered fasting CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in healthy people and in people with chronic autoimmune or non-autoimmune illness. In people with chronic non-autoimmune illness the effect was weaker when BMI was above 30, and longer use gave larger drops in some markers.