The Best Time to Take Fish Oil Supplements, According to Science

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to Take ItPreventing Side EffectsTaking It With FoodMorning vs. NightBeing ConsistentDosage ConsiderationsOther Tips

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

When to Take It

Preventing Side Effects

Taking It With Food

Morning vs. Night

Being Consistent

Dosage Considerations

Other Tips

If your healthcare provider recommends adding fish oil supplements to your routine, you may want to know how to take it to maximize its benefits. While you can take fish oil at any time of day, taking it with a meal can improve absorption and reduce side effects.

Fish oil supplements are a popular source ofomega-3 fatty acids, includingeicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) anddocosahexaenoic acid(DHA).Omega-3 fatty acids are essential healthy fats that play an important role in supporting functions in the body. They may be recommended to support heart health, lower triglycerides (a fat in the blood), or other uses.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements the way it does for prescription medications. As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label.

Is There a Best Time of Day to Take Fish Oil Supplements?

The best time to take fish oil depends on your routine, as the benefits are not immediate and require consistent use over a period of time.

Because there are so manyfish oil supplementsavailable, it is important to carefully read the label of your chosen product and follow the directions for use.

Timing and Preventing Side Effects

Commonfish oil side effectsinclude:

You can take certain steps to prevent side effects while taking fish oil, according to experts, including:

Why You Should Take It With Food

Taking fish oil supplements with food is beneficial for several reasons. In addition to reducing the risk of acid reflux, research has found that omega-3 fatty acids are better absorbed with meals, especially when meals are higher in fat.

On the other hand, taking fish oil with meals lower in fat, as breakfast tends to be for many, generally results in less absorption of the fish oil. If taking your fish oil with breakfast, try incorporating somehealthy fats, such as eggs, avocado, or nuts.

When deciding whether to take fish oil in the morning or at night, the timing should depend on your routine and what works best for you in being consistent.

Consistency Is Key to Maximize the Benefits

Like any medicine or supplement, incorporating fish oil into your daily routine and taking it consistently is crucial to maximize its benefits. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for recommendations, or follow these tips for taking fish oil supplements:

When selecting a fish oil product, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a recommendation that considers your preferences, such as supplement form and how many times a day you are willing to take the supplement. For dosing, check the product label for guidance.

The recommended intake of combined EPA and DHA is 250 mg daily.Therefore, a typical fish oil supplement will contain enough EPA and DHA for one day.

However, individual needs may vary, so check with your healthcare provider for a personalized recommendation.

Other Tips for Taking Fish Oil Supplements

Here are some other tips for taking fish oil supplements:

Summary

Fish oil supplements may be recommended for heart health, lowering triglycerides, or other reasons. To get the most benefits, take it with meals higher in fat to improve absorption and reduce side effects like reflux.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Omega-3 supplements: what you need to know.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM.Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know [published correction appears inArthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(4):402].Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(1):202. doi:10.1186/ar1876Maki KC, Dicklin MR.Strategies to improve bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids from ethyl ester concentrates.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2019;22(2):116-123. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000537von Schacky C.Omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease–an uphill battle.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2015;92:41-47. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2014.05.004MedlinePlus.Taking medicine at home - create a routine.Zhang Z, Fulgoni VL, Kris-Etherton PM, et al.Dietary intakes of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids among US childbearing-age and pregnant women: an analysis of NHANES 2001-2014.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):416. doi:10.3390/nu10040416MedlinePlus.Omega-3 fatty acids.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Omega-3 supplements: what you need to know.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM.Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know [published correction appears inArthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(4):402].Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(1):202. doi:10.1186/ar1876Maki KC, Dicklin MR.Strategies to improve bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids from ethyl ester concentrates.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2019;22(2):116-123. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000537von Schacky C.Omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease–an uphill battle.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2015;92:41-47. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2014.05.004MedlinePlus.Taking medicine at home - create a routine.Zhang Z, Fulgoni VL, Kris-Etherton PM, et al.Dietary intakes of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids among US childbearing-age and pregnant women: an analysis of NHANES 2001-2014.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):416. doi:10.3390/nu10040416MedlinePlus.Omega-3 fatty acids.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Omega-3 supplements: what you need to know.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM.Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know [published correction appears inArthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(4):402].Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(1):202. doi:10.1186/ar1876Maki KC, Dicklin MR.Strategies to improve bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids from ethyl ester concentrates.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2019;22(2):116-123. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000537von Schacky C.Omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease–an uphill battle.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2015;92:41-47. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2014.05.004MedlinePlus.Taking medicine at home - create a routine.Zhang Z, Fulgoni VL, Kris-Etherton PM, et al.Dietary intakes of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids among US childbearing-age and pregnant women: an analysis of NHANES 2001-2014.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):416. doi:10.3390/nu10040416MedlinePlus.Omega-3 fatty acids.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Omega-3 supplements: what you need to know.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Omega-3 fatty acids.

Cleland LG, James MJ, Proudman SM.Fish oil: what the prescriber needs to know [published correction appears inArthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(4):402].Arthritis Res Ther. 2006;8(1):202. doi:10.1186/ar1876

Maki KC, Dicklin MR.Strategies to improve bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids from ethyl ester concentrates.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2019;22(2):116-123. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000537

von Schacky C.Omega-3 fatty acids in cardiovascular disease–an uphill battle.Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2015;92:41-47. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2014.05.004

MedlinePlus.Taking medicine at home - create a routine.

Zhang Z, Fulgoni VL, Kris-Etherton PM, et al.Dietary intakes of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids among US childbearing-age and pregnant women: an analysis of NHANES 2001-2014.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):416. doi:10.3390/nu10040416

MedlinePlus.Omega-3 fatty acids.

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