Choosing an Omega-3 Fish Oil: EPA, DHA & Triglyceride Form Explained
Don't just look at the front-of-bottle 1,000 mg number—learn how to check actual EPA and DHA content, triglyceride form, and purity testing.
When shopping for an omega-3 supplement, the largest number on the front label usually refers to total fish oil concentrate (such as 1,000 mg), not the combined amount of active omega-3 fatty acids. Turning the bottle around to the Supplement Facts panel reveals what really counts.
Check Combined EPA + DHA per Serving
Look directly at the lines for EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Standard everyday softgels typically provide around 300 mg combined EPA+DHA per 1,000 mg softgel, whereas concentrated formulas deliver 600 mg to over 1,200 mg per serving.
Triglyceride vs. Ethyl Ester Form
Many shoppers prefer fish oils in the natural or re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) form, along with molecular distillation and third-party purity testing for heavy metals and oxidation.
Featured Picks in This Guide
Omega-3 Premium Fish Oil, 180 EPA / 120 DHA, 100 Fish Gelatin Softgels
Molecularly distilled, supercritical extracted fish oil providing 180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA per softgel.
- 1,000 mg fish oil concentrate per softgel (180 mg EPA / 120 mg DHA)
- Preferred triglyceride form and cholesterol-free
- Fish gelatin softgels (no bovine or porcine gelatin)
Ultimate Omega, Lemon Flavor, 1,280 mg, 180 Soft Gels
High-intensity triglyceride-form omega-3 fish oil with a natural lemon flavor to avoid fishy aftertaste.
- 1,280 mg total omega-3s per 2-softgel serving (650 mg EPA / 450 mg DHA)
- Sustainably wild-caught fish, Friend of the Sea certified
- Fresh natural lemon essence