# Omega Fish Oil Pills, dammnit **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 27, 2016, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027 "2016-09-27T11:50:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/21 "2016-09-29T00:55:45Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Eat fish. I was going to say that. But I live with a huge population of fish critters outside my back door. I realise that perhaps this not the case in this particular OP situation, however. considering the prices of these supplements and questionable sources of ingredients, I would rather eat fresh fish anytime, any day. Even from a supermarket. IANAD ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/22 "2016-09-29T02:21:25Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > First of all, as to your original problem, [something like MegaRed](https://www.amazon.com/MegaRed-Omega-Krill-Oil-Combination/dp/B00ECBQQME?th=1) sounds like it would work best for you. The Omega-3 from krill oil is more concentrated, so the pills are much smaller. > > Second of all, you should almost surely NOT be taking flax oil/seed for the Omega-3s. What’s important with essential fatty acids is THE RATIO of Omega 3/6/9. The typical American diet provides waaaaay too much Omega 6, which is why supplementing Omega 3, _specifically_, is encouraged in order to improve the ratio. Problem with Flax is that the Omega ratios are all lopsided, and you will be making your Omega ratios \*worse \*than if you had done nothing at all. > [http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-not-flaxseed-oil](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12442909) I really should stop posting so much from my phone. Not only did I screw up that link somehow (the link shown is different from the actual link, though both are relevant), I was also remembering wrong about the problem with flax as a source of omega-3 supplementation. The omega-3/6/9 ratios are not the issue, it’s the fact that the omega-3’s in flax are mostly ALA, and not EPA or DHA, which are the ones you want for supplementation purposes. I was thinking about the problem with the cheap, ubiquitous and mostly useless “Omega 3/6/9” supplements that people buy thinking that omega-3 is good, so omega-3/6/9 _must be even better_. (it’s not, it’s worse) ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/23 "2016-09-29T06:25:01Z")
> [@Sahirrnee](#): > > Try taking them with a spoonful of mashed potatoes or ice cream. Good advice. I would still refer you to your PCP (Primary Care Provider) and possibly to a professional dietitian. When I was hospitalized they gave me the HUGE potassium tabs along with 15 umzillion others. Those suckers were so huge I ended up just vomiting them out so I feel your qualms. Everybody has different gag reflexes. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/24 "2016-09-29T06:29:31Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Where would ‘here’ be? Thank you. Always a relevant question on a world-wide message board. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/25 "2016-09-29T06:45:07Z")
Pardon my confusion. Has this topic changed from inability to swallowing pills to their Omega content? Those are two different questions and the former can be helped by us unknown and anonymized people. You need to seek advice from medical professionals for the latter.\* Frankly, I trust no OTC supplements unless FDA verified, tested, qualified, etc. Just my honest opinion. YMMV. \*That is what blood tests/screenings are for ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/26 "2016-09-29T07:03:33Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > I tried those huge capsules. I stopped not because of the size, but because my belches would taste like a mass alewife die-off. But I bet your cats loved you. _Runs away. Fast._ ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/27 "2016-09-29T12:13:53Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > Pardon my confusion. > > Has this topic changed from inability to swallowing pills to their Omega content? > Those are two different questions and the former can be helped by us unknown and anonymized people. I do know, that 99% of the people have no problems with swallowing pills. But looks like I’m not one of them. So let us concentrate on omega content. Some more googling confirms that flax oil is not good substitute. I’ll go hunt for some smaller fish pills tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![iceiso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@iceiso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iceiso)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/28 "2016-09-29T14:26:29Z")
Try this: > **[Amazon.com: Carlson - The Very Finest Fish Oil, 1600 mg Omega-3s, Liquid Fish...](https://www.amazon.com/Carlson-Supplement-Norwegian-Wild-Caught-Sustainably/dp/B00GA86WR6)** > > Buy Carlson - The Very Finest Fish Oil, 1600 mg Omega-3s, Liquid Fish Oil Supplement, Norwegian Fish Oil, Wild-Caught, Sustainably Sourced Fish Oil Liquid, Lemon, 500 mL (2 Pack) on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders It’s just the fish oil in a bottle, no gelcap. You’d think it would taste bad, but it doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/29 "2016-09-29T18:41:54Z")
> [@iceiso](#): > > Try this: > > [https://www.amazon.com/Carlson-Finest-Liquid-Frustration-Packaging/dp/B00GA86WR6/ref=sr\_1\_2\_a\_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1475159013&sr=8-2&keywords=fish+oil+lemon](https://www.amazon.com/Carlson-Finest-Liquid-Frustration-Packaging/dp/B00GA86WR6/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1475159013&sr=8-2&keywords=fish+oil+lemon) > > It’s just the fish oil in a bottle, no gelcap. You’d think it would taste bad, but it doesn’t. That might be an answer. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/30 "2016-09-30T11:30:04Z")
That might be also be the answer. But I need supplier in EU (Int. Amazon won’t ship it here). And hopefully of more reasonable price. It’s fish oil. Goddamit. You catch a fish, squeeze it an fill the capsule. I’m not asking for mermaid or extinct whale oil. ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/31 "2016-09-30T12:54:49Z")
That looks good for me. Not sure about dosage. [http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-CHEWABLE-OMEGA-3-CITRUS-90-Capsules\_1290008/](http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-CHEWABLE-OMEGA-3-CITRUS-90-Capsules_1290008/) Any link for similar product (that can be shipped to Slovenia) appreciated. They have similar products here in drug stores, but at 3x-4x price. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/32 "2016-09-30T15:37:33Z")
> [@yo\_han\_go](#): > > That looks good for me. Not sure about dosage. > > [http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-CHEWABLE-OMEGA-3-CITRUS-90-Capsules\_1290008/](http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-CHEWABLE-OMEGA-3-CITRUS-90-Capsules_1290008/) > > Any link for similar product (that can be shipped to Slovenia) appreciated. They have similar products here in drug stores, but at 3x-4x price. Kids, chewable, _orange-flavored_ fish oil? Yeah, I need a barf smiley. Aside from taste, the EPA and DHA levels on those are on the low end. ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/33 "2016-09-30T18:20:42Z")
Hey. Some of us are quite satisfied with children portions in Burger King. Can always take some more, if not. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/34 "2016-09-30T20:55:14Z")
> [@yo\_han\_go](#): > > Hey. Some of us are quite satisfied with children portions in Burger King. Can always take some more, if not. Well, maybe your diet can take the small hit, but you will be increasing your fat intake unnecessarily if your essential fats come along with less essential fats. Also, though results are mixed, you should [be aware that:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-Linolenic_acid) > [@](#): > > Multiple studies[[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-Linolenic_acid#cite_note-18)[[19]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-Linolenic_acid#cite_note-19) have shown a relationship between α-linolenic acid and an increased risk of prostate cancer. This risk was found to be irrespective of source of origin (e.g., meat, vegetable oil).[[20]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-Linolenic_acid#cite_note-20) However, a large 2006 study found no association between total α-linolenic acid intake and overall risk of prostate cancer;[[21]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-Linolenic_acid#cite_note-pmid16783606-21) and a 2009 meta-analysis found evidence of [publication bias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publication_bias) in earlier studies, and concluded that if ALA contributes to increased prostate cancer risk, the increase in risk is quite small.[[22]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-Linolenic_acid#cite_note-22) So, maximizing EPA and DHA, while minimizing ALA, may be prudent. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/35 "2016-09-30T22:06:33Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > After I heard her story, I shopped around and found petite versions of calcium pills. Unfortunately, I can’t find a generic version yet and so must pay for brand-name Citracal Petites. But they’re a heck of a lot easier to swallow. You can get your calcium in convenient candy form. > **[Viactiv | Shop Calcium Chews & Omega-3 Fish Oil Gel Bites](https://viactiv.com/)** > > Our omega-3 gel bites and calcium chews make nutrition enjoyable. No hard-to-swallow pills, with less sugar and higher potency than leading gummies. Shop now. They would give these out in the blood donor room as the calcium would counteract the effects of the anticoagulant (cold, yawn). ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/36 "2016-10-02T19:50:08Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > Well, maybe your diet can take the small hit, but you will be increasing your fat intake unnecessarily if your essential fats come along with less essential fats. Also, though results are mixed, you should [be aware that:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-Linolenic_acid) > > So, maximizing EPA and DHA, while minimizing ALA, may be prudent. Not sure if we understand each other, but this is my plan too. Chewing children portions of fishoil until my appetite returns. Then two, then three. Then we’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/37 "2016-10-03T01:45:53Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > I tried those huge capsules. I stopped not because of the size, but because my belches would taste like a mass alewife die-off. One of the PBS shows discussing such issues said that rancid fish oil was actually bad for your health and to test them by puncturing one with a pin and tasting it. If it tastes rancid then don’t take them. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/38 "2016-10-03T02:26:15Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > I tried those huge capsules. I stopped not because of the size, but because my belches would taste like a mass alewife die-off. I had the same issue. Resolved it by taking one enteric coated capsule right before bed. If I burp fish burps, I’m asleep, so I don’t notice. ---
**Author:** ![yo\_han\_go](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yo_han_go/32/130_2.png) [@yo\_han\_go](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yo_han_go)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027/39 "2016-10-06T16:41:20Z")
Resolved issue with honey based Omega 3 syrup, apparently available even at local Aldi. But costs arm and leg. 10$ for 14 day treatment. Still smells like fish, but tastes just like ordinary junior syrup. Only slight fishy aftertaste. Will do if I wash my teeth after. If someone (from EU) can recommend me some cheaper family packing of this stuff, I’d be thankful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omega-fish-oil-pills-dammnit/767027.md?page=1)