The 3 Best Omega-3 Supplements for Athletes [Full Comparison]
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Omega-3 is typically found in foods such as seafood, salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds, but it can be hard to consume enough nutrients to get the full benefit. And for those who dislike fatty fish or don’t eat it, it can obviously be even harder.
This is why many athletes looking to take care of their cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and support higher levels of physical activity and recovery turn to supplementation.
This study, from the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, found that fish oil supplementation reduces heart rate and oxygen consumption during exercise. Omega-3 supplementation can also help reduce post-exercise muscle damage and soreness, as this research has shown.
As with all supplements, not every omega-3 product on the market is created equally. For athletes, it’s even more important to choose an omega-3 supplement that is clean and safe from contamination and banned substances.
This is why independent third-party testing and certification is important—you can trust that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle—and nothing else. Among the most respected certifications is NSF Certified for Sport, which is one of only two testing organizations that pro and college sports teams use and trust (the other being Informed Sport).
Each of the three omega-3 supplement recommendations below were chosen because they are well-sourced, contain potent levels of the key ingredients EPA and DHA, and have been brought to market by brands with strong reputations for producing high-quality products. We’ll start the list of the best options with our own Momentous Omega-3 product.
The 3 Best Omega-3 Options for Athletes
1. Momentous Omega-3
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Athlete-Relevant Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport
Product Details:
Price: $37.95
Sourced from: Anchovies, sardines, and mackerel (for their lower levels of heavy metals)
Number of Servings: 30
Omega 3s per serving: 1600mg (800mg EPA plus 800mg DHA)
Serving Size: 2 softgels
Subscription: Yes - first-time subscribers get a 25% discount
- Free shipping: Yes (orders over $75)
Pros:
No fishy aftertaste
Potent serving of EPA and DHA, higher than any other on test
Sustainably sourced from small, wild-caught fisheries in Norway
Independent third-party tested and certified, NSF Certified for Sport
Cons:
Pricey
I’m not a huge consumer of fish, so taking a Omega-3 supplement is a simple and straightforward way to ensure I’m getting the DHA and EPA that I need to support my nutrition, training, and recovery.
The fact that Momentous Omega-3 is tested and certified by the NSF Certified for Sport is of significant importance—it means true peace of mind about what you’re putting into your body.
With Momentous Omega-3, I particularly appreciate that the product is sustainably sourced from small wild fisheries in Norway. Using small fish, such as mackerel, anchovies, and sardines, reduces the chance of heavy metals being present in the supplement. The NSF further tests for the presence of heavy metals too. Momentous also uses three sources of fish to ensure high levels of DHA and EPA (mackerel are higher in DHA while anchovies and sardines are higher in EPA).
In addition, of all the products on test, Momentous Omega-3 is the only one to boast a 1:1 ratio of DHA and EPA with levels much higher than other brands on the market (800mg of EPA, 800mg of DHA).
After taking this product for two to three weeks, I found my levels of inflammation and muscle soreness seemed to be reduced, particularly after hard gym or run workouts. I’ve also noticed an uptick in my mood, which may be a result of the cognitive benefits Omega-3 can bring. In fact, some neurodivergent fans of this product have reported lesser symptoms when consistently taking Momentous Omega-3—and noticing the difference when they forget to take it.
These capsules are on the larger side, but there is zero fishy aftertaste, as can sometimes be the case with some omega-3 supplements. At $38 for 30 servings, they are also on the more expensive side. Third-party certifications from the likes of NSF do come with a higher price tag that, in my opinion, is well worth the cost.
If you’re looking for a more wallet-friendly option then you might prefer other options, but if you’re looking for an omega-3 supplement that is pure, potent, and sustainably sourced, Momentous Omega-3 has everything you need.
2. Thorne Omega-3 with CoQ10
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
Dairy Free: Yes
Athlete-Relevant Certifications: None
Product Details:
Price: $52
Sourced from: Sustainably sourced coldwater fish
Number of Servings: 90
Omega 3s per serving: 700mg (includes 450mg EPA, 180mg DHA)
Serving Size: 2-3 gelcaps daily
Subscription: Yes - subscribers get a 20% discount when you subscribe to 3 or more Thorne products
Free shipping: Yes
Pros:
Omega-3 paired with CoQ10 makes this a great choice for athletes
No fishy aftertaste
Sustainably sourced from coldwater fish
Cons:
Pricey
Much less DHA and EPA than Momentous product
Thorne is well known for its high-quality, research-backed products and this Omega-3 with CoQ10 is no exception. I find the addition of CoQ10 to Omega-3 makes this a powerhouse pair and a great choice for athletes. CoQ10 can work wonders for energy production and serves as an antioxidant, and when partnered with Omega-3 it can help aid absorption. Regular users of this supplement report improved mood and brain function, less soreness in muscles and joints, and better recovery from hard workouts.
Like the Momentous Omega-3 product, this one is on the pricier side at $52 for 90 servings. With the recommended dosage being 2-3 caps a day, this is the most expensive supplement on test. There’s also significantly less DHA and EPA per serving than the Momentous offering, although it should be noted that Thorne does offer other omega-3 supplements, such as its Advanced DHA and Super EPA Pro, which have higher levels.
3. Sports Research Omega-3 Fish Oil
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: No
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Athlete-Relevant Certifications: None
Product Details:
Price: $26.95
Sourced from: Wild Alaskan pollock
Number of Servings: 90
Omega 3s per serving: 1040mg (includes 690mg EPA, 260mg DHA)
Serving Size: 1 capsule daily
Subscription: Yes - subscribers get a 15% discount
Free shipping: Subscriptions only
Pros:
Budget-friendly
No fishy aftertaste
Single-sourced from wild Alaskan pollock
Product undergoes a 10-step refinement process
Cons:
Not as much DHA and EPA as Momentous product
Sports Research Omega-3 Fish Oil is a product well worth checking out. It’s also one of the most cost-effective Omega-3 products you’ll find on the market with a price tag under $30 for 90 servings.
It’s single-sourced from wild Alaskan pollock and is MSC certified, a certification that guarantees its sustainability. For those who aren’t keen on swallowing lots of large capsules, you’ll be pleased to know that you only need to take one capsule a day. This delivers a total of 1250mg of fish oil concentrate, of which 690mg is EPA and 260mg is DHA (still less than Momentous Omega-3).
Purity and quality are clearly important to Sports Research, as this product undergoes a 10-step refinement process that starts with the initial catch and helps to ensure the EPA/DHA concentrations are as pure as 80-85%. Sports Research states this Omega-3 is third-party tested, although it does not appear to have the NSF Certified for Sport certification.
FAQs About Omega-3
Does omega-3 increase athletic performance?
Omega-3 can help to increase athletic performance in a number of ways, including:
helping to reduce inflammation post-exercise
expediting recovery and helping to prevent injury
improving the integrity of cells and cellular function
decreasing muscle soreness and damage
and helping protect brain health and cognitive function.
What’s the difference between omega-3 and fish oil?
While they can be confused as being the same thing, omega-3 and fish oil are different. Fish oil is an oil produced from the tissues of fish whereas omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids. The three polyunsaturated fatty acids you’ll see most frequently and that have the greatest impact on human health are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). You can learn more about the differences between omega-3 and fish oil in this article .
Are there any side effects when taking this supplement?
There are very few side effects associated with taking omega-3. Some people report suffering with bad breath or a fishy aftertaste, so it’s worth using an omega-3 supplement that is well-sourced and researched to mitigate these effects.
How long does it take for the benefits of omega-3 to kick in?
Most people report feeling benefits within two to four weeks, as levels of omega-3 build quite quickly in the body with regular supplementation. Momentous advises that long-term benefits are best achieved with regular daily supplementation.
Emma-Kate Lidbury
Emma-Kate Lidbury is a freelance writer and editor with 20 years of experience working in the health and fitness world.
