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What it is
A marine-sourced omega-3 softgel delivering EPA and DHA from ultra-pure fish oil, with added vitamin E to keep the oil fresh. The fish oil is screened under Pharmanex's quality process to be free of harmful levels of toxins, contaminants, and heavy metals. EPA and DHA are the fatty acids built directly into your cell membranes, where cells sense their surroundings and pass signals.
Why the evidence supports it
Omega-3 status is one of the most consistently studied nutrition markers there is, and most modern diets run measurably low on EPA and DHA. Because these are the fats built directly into every cell membrane, their reach is genuinely system-wide: the research ties adequate EPA and DHA to a healthy inflammation response and to normal heart, brain, and mood function, and -- less talked about -- to the gut lining and to the hormone-carrying membranes of both men and women, since all of those tissues run on the same membrane chemistry. The one hard requirement is freshness: these fats oxidize easily, which is why the added vitamin E, an antioxidant partner that protects the oil, and the toxin screening are mechanism, not marketing. A tested, protected marine oil is the evidence-based way to support the cell's Build function at the membrane -- with the honest note that omega-3's clearest, best-established signal is the inflammation and membrane story, while the hormone and gut links are real but supporting rather than headline.
What it supports
- Supports healthy cell membrane structure
- Supports a healthy inflammation response already within normal range
- Supports normal heart and brain function as part of a balanced diet
- Provides EPA and DHA that diets often lack
Which function it supports
Ties to the cell's Build function via the cell membrane -- EPA and DHA become part of the membrane itself, where signaling and exchange play out.
Learn the why behind this pillarHow it relates to your cells and mind
Every product here ties back to a specific job your body does. This one touches the functions below -- follow either link to see the mechanism in full, then dig into the studies.
What it is made of -- and the mechanisms behind it
Each ingredient acts on several of the body's functions. Taken together, this product touches these cell and mind functions -- follow any to see the mechanism in full.
The ingredients
Mechanisms drawn from our ingredient knowledge base (3 profiled ingredients). Structure and function only -- not a treatment claim.
What’s actually in it
Transcribed from the manufacturer’s official Product Information Page, exactly as printed. Ingredient names that link open our research page for that ingredient, with the studies behind it.
| Amount per 2 softgels | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Total Calories | 25 | |
| Total Fat | 2.5 g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5 g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 10 mg | 3% |
| Marine Lipid ConcentrateEPA 300 mg; DHA 200 mg; Other Omega-3 Fatty Acids 100 mg | 2,200 mg | ** |
| Deodorized Garlic Oil | 2 mg | ** |
- Servings per container:
- 30
- Other ingredients:
- Gelatin, Glycerine, Purified Water, D-Alpha Tocopherol (as antioxidant).
- Allergens:
- Contains fish (anchovies, mackerel)
Label's own distinction from MarineOmega: MarineOmega adds krill oil and has double the fish oil softgels per bottle.
Source: official Product Information Page . Amounts are the manufacturer’s, not ours. Structure and function only -- nothing here is medical advice, and nothing here may be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The science on the ingredients
These studies are research on the ingredients and mechanisms in this product, not on the finished product itself, and they are shown for education. Nothing here is medical advice, and nothing here may be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your own provider about what is right for you.
- Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease (AHA Scientific Statement)
Circulation · 2002
- Plasma lipids and lipoproteins in Greenlandic west coast Eskimos
Acta Med Scand · 1971
- Marine n-3 Fatty Acids and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
New England Journal of Medicine (VITAL) · 2018
- Omega-3 supplementation and cardiovascular disease, meta-analysis
JAMA (meta-analysis) · 2012
- Meta-analysis of DHA and EPA supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes and atrial fibrillation risk
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives · 2026
Selected high-dose purified EPA subgroups had MACE signals -- No broad MACE or atrial-fibrillation benefit for combined moderate-dose EPA+DHA; high doses may increase AF
- Role of EPA to DHA dosing ratio on blood fatty acids and inflammation
Nutrition Reviews · 2025
Changed blood fatty-acid profiles and reduced selected inflammatory markers -- Biomarker effects varied by ratio population and total dose
Maternal characteristics associated with ovalbumin concentrations in breast milkEstablishedRandomized controlled trial2026
In 66 atopic breastfeeding women, gestational diabetes and pregnancy fish oil use were both associated with higher breast milk ovalbumin after eating an egg, while pre-pregnancy body mass index was not.
Sophie A Hughes; Jessica R Metcalfe; Sharon L Perrella; Donna T Geddes; Debra J Palmer
Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits cholesterol efflux pathways from cholesterol-loaded human THP-1 macrophages by reducing the hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters mediated by carboxylesterase 1.ContestedClinical trial2025
A clinical trial on Omega-3 EPA/DHA found that the diminished cholesterol efflux was not related to triglyceride accumulation or to variations in apo E secretion.
Nowak M; Dakroub H; Noël B; Rousseau-Ralliard D; Slimene S; Abi-Saleh N; Benardeau M; Vedie B; Cassard AM; Paul JL; Fournier N -- Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids
Maternal docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation: effects and mechanisms on lipid metabolism in the offspringEmergingExpert review2026
In a review, maternal EPA and DHA supplementation regulated offspring lipid metabolism genes and reduced metabolic disease risk.
Chuhan Shao; Hanmo Lin; Jie Yu; Haiyan Chen; Yaolin Ren; Jing Ren; Yuan Zeng; Yifan Wu; Qian Zhang; Xinhua Xiao
Fish Oil-Containing Injectable Lipid Emulsions in Parenteral Nutrition: Immunomodulation and Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients-Narrative ReviewEmergingExpert review2026
A review of critically ill patients found parenteral nutrition emulsions containing fish oil were associated with reduced infection and sepsis risk, shorter ICU stays and ventilation duration, and lower rates of delirium, versus soybean-oil-only emulsions.
Mariusz Kęska; Milena Kęska; Mirosław Perliński; Piotr Pabich; Dariusz Onichimowski
Nutraceutical eicosapentaenoic acid in treatment-resistant depression: The psychoneuroimmunity and clinical implicationsEmergingExpert review2025
In a review, EPA-predominant omega-3 supplementation was linked to improved outcomes in depression that had not responded to standard antidepressants, with proposed mechanisms including anti-inflammatory and gut-brain axis effects, across twelve small trials totaling 498 participants.
Chang JP; Iqbal AZ; Do QL; Yaseen M; Wu SK; Malau IA; Zailani H; Su KP -- Pharmacological research
Comparative Analysis of the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Krill and Fish OilEmergingExpert review2025
In review, krill oil and fish oil provide EPA and DHA in distinct molecular carriers (phospholipids vs. triglycerides), with comparable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Esra Tansu Sarıyer; Murat Baş; Meral Yüksel
Underuse of Pharmacologic Therapies for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Before Specialist EvaluationEmergingNarrative review2026
In a review of 571 ME/CFS patients referred to a specialty clinic, most had tried supplements like vitamin D and fish oil before receiving medications commonly recommended by specialists.
Stephanie L Grach; Jaime Seltzer; Michael R Mueller; Chris A Aakre; Lasonya T Natividad; Donna K Lawson; Ravindra Ganesh; Ryan T Hurt
Eicosapentaenoic acid attenuates hyperoxia-induced lung injury via p38 MAPK/NF-κB-mediated regulation of glycolytic reprogramming.2026
In cell and animal models of hyperoxia-induced lung injury, eicosapentaenoic acid reduced damage by regulating p38 MAPK/NF-kB signaling and glycolytic reprogramming, building on lung-protective effects seen in COPD and asthma models.
Chen S; Gan L; Qu S; Yu K; Guo H; Lai R; Cui J; Li Y -- International immunopharmacology
Re-evaluating omega-3 (EPA/DHA) in cancer prevention and managementEmergingNarrative review2026
This review found eicosapentaenoic acid intake was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk, and omega-3 supplementation was linked to modest improvements in weight, inflammation and quality of life during cancer cachexia.
Alessio Molfino; Maurizio Muscaritoli; Federica Tambaro; Giovanni Imbimbo -- Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care
Blood serum from individuals with Alzheimer's disease alters microglial phagocytosis in vitro.2026
In vitro, exposing human microglial cells to blood serum from Alzheimer's disease patients altered microglial phagocytic activity, suggesting peripheral blood factors may influence disease-related brain immune cell function.
Altendorfer B; Poupardin R; Lefèvre-Arbogast S; Manach C; Low DY; Urpi-Sarda M; Andres-Lacueva C; González-Domínguez R; Felder TK; Tevini J; Zattoni M; Koller A; Schmidt R; Lucassen PJ; Ruigrok SR; de Lucia C; Du Preez A; Helmer C; Neuffer J; Proust-Lima C; Korosi A; Samieri C; Thuret S; Aigner L -- Neural regeneration research
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) are Positively Associated with Sleep Duration in Children Aged 3 -- 5 Years: A Preliminary StudyEmergingCross-sectional survey2026
In a cross-sectional study of 72 Indonesian preschoolers aged 3 to 5, higher blood levels of total omega-3, EPA, and DHA were each positively associated with longer sleep duration.
Marsella Dervina Amisi; Dian Novita Chandra; Ninik Mudjihartini; Rini Sekartini -- The Indonesian Biomedical Journal
Eicosapentaenoic acid reprograms cerebrovascular metabolism and impairs repair after brain injury, with relevance to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.2026
In a fish-oil diet model, EPA accumulated in the brain but was depleted after repetitive mild brain injury, coinciding with impaired vascular repair and angiogenesis relevant to chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Karakaya E; Berber B; Eskiocak O; Edwards J; Barker RB; Jamil S; Li W; Abdul Y; Ericsson M; Stein T; McKee A; Ergul A; Beyaz S; Albayram O -- Cell reports
Clinically Significant Omega-3 Health Benefits From Stearidonic Acid and Buglossoides Oil: Plant-Based, Fish-Free Omega-3 that Converts Effectively to Eicosapentaenoic Acid/Docosahexaenoic AcidEmergingNarrative review2026
A review argues that plant-based stearidonic acid, as in Buglossoides oil, converts to EPA and DHA more efficiently than long assumed, with effects on inflammation, the gut-brain axis, and insulin sensitivity comparable to marine omega-3 sources.
Patrick Hanaway -- Integrative and Complementary Therapies
Dysregulation of Oral Microbial Eicosapentaenoic Acid Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress Exacerbates Periodontitis via M1 Macrophage Polarization.2026
In mice, chronic restraint stress worsened periodontitis by altering oral microbiota and depleting eicosapentaenoic acid, while EPA supplementation reduced periodontitis severity linked to M1 macrophage polarization.
Luo S; Lou F; Yang P; Zhang Y; Yan L; Dong Y; Yang B; Wang H; Liu Y; Pu J; Cannon RD; Xie P; Ji P; Jin X -- Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
Fish Oil Ameliorates Deoxynivalenol-Induced Liver Injury Through Modulating Ferroptosis Signaling Pathway in Weaned PigsEmerging2026
In weaned piglets fed deoxynivalenol contaminated feed, dietary fish oil reduced liver damage markers in blood and liver tissue and shifted expression of iron handling genes linked to a cell death pathway called ferroptosis, compared to standard corn oil feed.
Jiasi Liu; Minfang Zhang; Mohan Zhou; Junjie Guo; Shaokui Chen; Kan Xiao; Yulan Liu
Omega-3 EPA Supplementation Shapes the Gut Microbiota Composition and Reduces Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II in Aged Wild-Type and APP/PS1 Alzheimer's Mice: A Pilot Experimental Study.2025
In a pilot study using aged female Alzheimer's-model mice, dietary EPA omega-3 shifted gut bacteria toward more butyrate producers and lowered the neuroinflammatory marker MHCII in the retina and hippocampus, but findings need confirmation in a larger study.
Altendorfer B; Benedetti A; Mrowetz H; Bernegger S; Bretl A; Preishuber-Pflügl J; Bessa de Sousa DM; Ladek AM; Koller A; Le Faouder P; Bertrand-Michel J; Trost A; Aigner L -- Nutrients
Fish oil supplements in patients with chronic kidney diseaseEmerging2026
A review highlights the PISCES trial, in which 1.6 g EPA plus 0.8 g DHA daily in 1,228 haemodialysis patients over 3.5 years lowered the primary cardiovascular endpoint by 43%.
Charles J Ferro; Mark R Thomas; Sophia Khattak; Dimitrios Chanouzas; Jonathan N Townend
Aspartate Metabolism-Driven Gut Microbiota Dynamics and RIP-Dependent Mitochondrial Function Counteract Oxidative Stress.2025
In a gut-health model, aspartate metabolism reshaped gut microbiota composition and activated RIP-dependent mitochondrial signaling, helping cells maintain function and survival under chronic oxidative stress conditions.
Jin S; Wu J; Wang C; He Y; Tang Y; Huang L; Zhou H; Liu D; Wu Z; Feng Y; Chen H; He X; Yang G; Peng C; Qiu J; Li T; Yin Y; He L -- Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels in Mouse Tissues After Intake of Echium and Ahiflower Oils Rich in Stearidonic and α-Linolenic AcidsEmergingPrimary research (design unspecified)2026
Echium and Ahiflower oils may be strategically used in EPA-focused interventions and, depending on the target tissue and physiological demand, may partially satisfy DHA requirements.
Letícia V Segre; Mariana S Bisinotto; Inar A Castro
The role of fatty acids in neurodegenerative diseases: mechanistic insights and therapeutic strategies.2025
Short-chain fatty acids from gut microbiota and other dietary fatty acids influence neuroinflammation, gut-brain communication, and blood-brain barrier integrity, mechanisms reviewed in the context of neurodegenerative conditions.
Yang Y; Wang Q; Wang Z; Wang Y; Liu B; Zhang Y; Mao X; Sun H -- Journal of lipid research
Prevention of Atopic Dermatitis: What Are We Missing?Emerging2025
This review contrasts inside-out prevention of atopic dermatitis -- allergen avoidance, probiotics, fish oil and vitamin D -- with outside-in emollient use, in a disease of increased incidence where randomised results are inconsistent.
Yukihiro Ohya
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Alleviates LPS-Induced Oxidative Stress via the PPARα-NF-κB Axis.2025
In LPS-stimulated macrophages, EPA reduced inflammatory cytokines including IL-1b and oxidative stress, acting through the PPARalpha-NF-kB axis relevant to metabolic endotoxemia linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
AlAbduljader H; AlSaeed H; Alrabeea A; Sulaiman A; Haider MJA; Al-Mulla F; Ahmad R; Al-Rashed F -- Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
Analysis of mercury content in fish and its impact on human health in the context of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid (DHA, EPA) supplementation derived from fish oilEmergingNarrative review2025
This review reports that commercially available fish oil supplements generally contain mercury below regulatory limits, though methylmercury contamination in predatory fish remains a neurotoxicity risk requiring ongoing quality monitoring of supplement products.
Aleksandra Moździerz; Magdalena Kurkiewicz; Anna Rzepecka-Stojko; Jerzy Stojko -- Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej
Fish Oil and EPA Improve Insulin Sensitivity, in Part Through Adipocyte mTORC2 Activation in Diet-Induced Obese Male Mice.2025
In diet-induced obese mice, fish oil and its component EPA improved insulin sensitivity partly through activation of adipocyte mTORC2 signaling, while improved glucose tolerance appeared to work through separate pathways in muscle and liver.
Castro É; Vieira TS; Peixoto ÁS; Leonardi BF; Tomazelli CA; Lino CA; Oliveira TE; Pessoa NM; Pessoa EVM; Abe-Honda MA; Pontara-Corte N; Silva-Junior LP; Pires AB; Chaves-Filho AB; Moustaid-Moussa N; Festuccia WT -- Molecular nutrition & food research
Balanced by design -- we show supporting and contradicting findings. Search all studies
If you have had labs done
These are lab markers where this product's ingredients have measured evidence in our citation library. This is not a claim that the product will change your results -- the research attaches to the ingredient, and what a marker means depends on the whole picture. Each one links to its full entry, including what typically moves it and how to read it.
- Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty Acid Panel (EPA, DHA, DPA, Arachidonic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Ratios)solid evidence
via EPA (Omega-3) · 102 studies, 42 in people
The only thing that reliably raises the omega-3 index, because the index measures them.
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: Very high intakes: easier bruising, longer bleeding from small cuts, and a fishy aftertaste or reflux.
Lower: Dry, rough or bumpy skin on the backs of the arms; dry eyes; dry, brittle hair.
- Triglyceridessolid evidence
via EPA (Omega-3) · 24 studies, 19 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: High triglycerides are usually silent and travel with the insulin-resistant pattern -- central weight gain, energy crashes after carb-heavy meals, a low HDL.
Lower: Low triglycerides are generally not a concern and often reflect good metabolic health.
- Triglyceridessolid evidence
via EPA (Omega-3) · 24 studies, 19 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: A non-fasting draw or recent alcohol inflates the number -- confirm a true fasting sample before acting on a borderline value.
Lower: Low triglycerides are generally not a concern and often reflect good metabolic health and insulin sensitivity.
- Triglyceride : HDL Ratio (calculated -- a derived value)solid evidence
via EPA (Omega-3) · 24 studies, 19 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Lower: A low ratio suggests good insulin sensitivity -- the favourable direction.
via EPA (Omega-3) · 24 studies, 19 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: The TyG index is a calculated insulin-resistance marker built from fasting triglycerides and fasting glucose -- a derived number, not a felt symptom.
Lower: A lower TyG index (within a population) is the favourable direction -- the validating studies read it as higher-versus-lower, not against a fixed line.
- Seleniumsolid evidence
via Vitamin E · 66 studies, 13 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: A garlic smell on the breath with no garlic eaten -- the classic early sign.
Lower: Frequent infections and slow recovery from them -- selenium is required by the immune system's antioxidant defences.
- Sperm Motility (Total & Progressive)emerging evidence
via DHA (Omega-3) · 355 studies, 205 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Lower: Silent. Found only on semen analysis.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Gut/Microbiome)emerging evidence
via EPA (Omega-3) · 223 studies, 86 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Lower: An intervention entry. In the gut context the claim is that omega-3s support barrier function and shift the microbiome toward SCFA-producing genera.
- High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)emerging evidence
via Vitamin E · 5 studies, 5 in people
Improved biomarkers of intestinal inflammation alongside lipid changes -- again the gut-barrier route rather than a direct antioxidant effect on the marker.
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: Deep, unrefreshing fatigue -- searched as 'tired all the time blood tests normal' and 'why am i tired even after 8 hours sleep'.
Lower: No symptoms. Low is the desirable direction.
- hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)emerging evidence
via Vitamin E · 5 studies, 5 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: A high hs-CRP reflects low-grade inflammation SOMEWHERE -- you tend to feel the underlying cause (a cold, a flare, a sore joint, poor sleep, extra weight) rather than the CRP itself.
Lower: A low hs-CRP is favourable and simply reflects little systemic inflammation at the moment of the draw.
- hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)emerging evidence
via Vitamin E · 5 studies, 5 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: hs-CRP is non-specific -- read it as a trend and in context, never as a stand-alone verdict.
Lower: A low hs-CRP is favourable and simply reflects little systemic inflammation at the moment of the draw.
- LDL-C (LDL Cholesterol)mixed evidence
via EPA (Omega-3) · 24 studies, 19 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: A high LDL-C is an ESTIMATE that a lot of cholesterol cargo is riding in your LDL particles.
Lower: A low LDL-C is generally favourable, but on its own it is a start, not an answer -- pair it with ApoB to know the real particle burden.
- Non-HDL Cholesterolmixed evidence
via EPA (Omega-3) · 24 studies, 19 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Lower: A low non-HDL is favourable and, unlike calculated LDL-C, stays reliable even when triglycerides are high.
- ALT & AST (Liver Enzymes)mixed evidence
via Vitamin E · 7 studies, 5 in people
What people often notice when this marker sits outside the usual range
Higher: Fatigue disproportionate to activity is the commonest complaint that turns out to have a raised ALT behind it.
Lab results are interpreted by a qualified clinician who knows your history. Nothing here diagnoses anything or replaces that conversation.
No product works in isolation
Every cell function above -- Sense, Exchange, Transform, Build, Maintain, Adapt -- needs the same broad base of optimal micronutrient levels running underneath it, all the time. Optimum Omega is not a stand-alone fix; it is one piece that plugs into that larger system. The foundation comes first, and this supports it.
Stacks well with
Pick your goal -- here is what Optimum Omega pairs with for each. Nothing works in isolation; these share the same systems.
For Foundation Nutrition
For Brain & Sleep
For Women's Health
For Mood & Hormones
Foundational, or targeted?
Not everything in the shop is meant to be taken forever. Some products here are foundational -- a daily nutrient base built for long-term, ongoing use. Others are targeted -- shorter-term support for a specific season, not a lifelong habit. If you are not sure which one this is, that is a fair question to ask us before you buy.
Learn more, on your terms
Do not take our word for it -- go read. Each topic below opens a pre-loaded search so you can explore the nutrient, the mechanism, or the device for yourself.
Search the full studies libraryHow to use it
Take the daily serving of two softgels with a meal that has some fat. Confirm on the current label whether the intended routine is once or twice daily.
Where to get it
Ready when you are. This link takes you to the official, verified source for this product.
Get Optimum OmegaThe studies
See the research behind the science we point to.
Explore studiesThe blog
Plain-language reads on how it all fits together.
Read the blogOptimal nutrients are the definition of longevity
Long-term cell function depends on having what it needs, at the level it needs it, for as long as it needs it. That is the whole thesis behind everything we point you to here.
When you buy through our links, we earn a small commission -- and that is what funds all the free education here. It never costs you more. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Optimum Omega is a marine-sourced omega-3 softgel providing EPA and DHA, with added vitamin E. These are the fatty acids built directly into your cell membranes, where cells sense their surroundings and pass signals. It fits anyone who wants a clean, no-narrative fish oil, since most people run low on omega-3s.
FAQ
What does Optimum Omega support?
It supports healthy cell membrane structure, a healthy inflammation response already within normal range, and normal heart and brain function as part of a balanced diet, while providing EPA and DHA that diets often lack.
How do I take it?
Take the daily serving of two softgels with a meal that has some fat. Confirm on the current label whether the intended routine is once or twice daily.
What makes it different?
It is a tested marine source with vitamin E to keep it stable -- a simple, solid upgrade with no marketing story attached.