It should come as no surprise that Solgar is our second choice when it comes to Omega-3. This company has a rich history and is well known for its top quality products in the supplement world. Therefore it felt only natural to look at what they offer in their Omega-3 product. First let’s get to some logistical facts: the bottle comes with 120 softgel capsules, while the serving size is 2 (two) capsules to be taken 3 (three) times a day. This comes to 6 (six) capsules a day, which is enough for just 20 (twenty) days. That is not even one month’s worth of capsules.
When delving into the details of the amounts of the ingredients, we discovered that each serving (which is 2 (two) capsules), contains the following: 2000 mg fish oil, of which only 600 mg is Omega-3 fatty acids, of which there is only 320 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA. According to our research, we found that the ideal supplement should contain between 2000 and 3000 mg fish oil, with at least 1800 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids containing 900 mg EPA and 600 mg DHA. If you take 3 (three) servings of Solgar (as per their suggested use), then you will have a daily intake of 6000 mg fish oil, 1800 mg fatty acids which contain 980 mg EPA and 600 mg DHA. This would reach the recommended daily intake, however taking 6 (six) softgels a day is a lot!
We like that Solgar has a GMP certification, and while it doesn’t have a ‘Friend of the Sea’ certification, it does claim that their fish oil is sourced in a sustainable manner.
Is Solgar Omega-3 Fish Oil Effective?
Based on the amount of fish oil per daily serving, we would assume that this product should be effective. However, to get to the ideal daily intake, you would have to consume 6 (six) softgels per day. Omega-3 softgels are generally quite large and not the easiest to take, so taking 6 (six) a day seems quite excessive to us. In addition to that, the bottle contains only enough softgels for 20 days if you are to take 6 (six) per day. We’re not sure why Solgar wouldn’t create a product with a higher amount per softgel if they’re already offering the ideal amount per day.
Is Solgar Omega-3 Fish Oil Safe?
In general, this product is marketed as natural and safe. There are no mentioned side effects. Solgar Omega-3 Fish Oil does not have a Friend of the Sea certification, however they claim that their fish oil is sourced in a sustainable manner.
As a general rule, it is always recommended to speak to your doctor before taking any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have any health conditions or are taking other medications.
Summary
There is no denying Solgar’s important presence in the supplement world, however considering their rich history and in-depth knowledge of supplements, our expectations were high and we felt that they didn’t quite deliver. While technically, the overall daily amount does reach the recommended amount of Omega-3, EPA and DHA, it means having to take 6 (six) softgel capsules throughout the day. This could easily be reduced to 2 (two) capsules a day with the same amount of fish oil (as seen in our first choice). We also didn’t find any mention of added Omega 3’s in the ingredients besides for the EPA and DHA.
While we did come across many positive reviews online, which we are always looking out for, we were disappointed that we did not find any sort of money-back guarantee should you want to return the product. Additionally, although the website states that the product is sustainably sourced, we would have liked to see a certification such as Friend of the Sea for confirmation.
