Looking for the best time to take fish oil? You're in luck: Most of the benefits of fish oil supplementation are associated with long-term use, so you can take it any time of day.
Having said that, taking fish oils in two split doses in the morning and at night can reduce potential side effects, such as acid reflux.(1)
Fish oil supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements, promoting optimal health and wellbeing because of their omega-3 fatty acids.
If you do not consume 1-2 portions of oily fish per week, you may want to consider supplementation. Either way, omega 3 fatty acids help our health, so it's important you get enough of them.
So are there any additional benefits to taking a fish oil supplement in the morning or at night-time? Is there a best time for fatty acid intake? And can timing strategies result in a better health outcome?
Let's take a quick look at fish oil, its health benefits, timing strategies, and the Omega-3 supplement that is so clean, you can take it any time without worry of side effects or gastric distress.
What is Fish Oil?
Fish oil is a source of Omega-3 fatty acids that are considered "good fats." The most beneficial Omega-3s for overall health are:
EPA and DHA are found in fatty fish, cold water fish, oily fish and other seafood and marine life. When you take a fish oil supplement, these are the Omega-3s you get. Often from salmon, krill, mackerel, green-lipped mussel and other aquatic sources.
Did you know? There is a third omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), sourced from plant dietary sources, such as olive oil and other vegetable oils; as well as nuts and seeds.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are omega 3 fatty acids that are involved in many important biological processes in the body. However, ALA also promotes benefits as it is converted by the body into EPA and DHA, just in smaller amounts.
The Main Health Benefits of Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil supplements are helpful for those who don't regularly eat fish and other foods rich in omega-3. So what kind of potential benefits might accompany regular use of a fish oil supplement?
Fish oil omega 3 fatty acids have been linked to a variety of health benefits such as cardiovascular health, eye health, bone health, joint health, skin, brain function (especially in older adults), and supporting pregnancy and early life.
We cannot produce the essential fatty acids (omega-3) we get from fish oil naturally in the body, which is why they are considered essential.
It's important to consume adequate amounts of these fatty acids regularly in the form of food and dietary supplements, especially under the direction of your healthcare provider, to achieve any of its potential benefits.
Let's take a closer look at the main health benefits of fish oil!
Heart & Cardiovascular Health
Taking a fish oil supplement or otherwise increasing EPA and DHA Omega 3s has been shown to support heart health in various ways, such as:(2)
- Support a stable heart rhythm and healthy blood circulation
- Maintain blood triglyceride levels; potentially may lower triglyceride levels
- Helps to maintain blood pressure levels that are already within normal range
Brain Health, Cognition & Healthy Mood
Fish oil supplementation is great for the brain, and is even considered as a nootropic strategy for enhancing cognition. Some researchers found that possible DHA and EPA benefits from marine Omega-3 supplementation may include:(3,4)
- Focus, potentially helping with attention concerns
- Promoting a bright, positive and healthy mood
- Assisting with feelings of occasional apprehension
- Supporting memory and learning
Omega 3 fatty acids have also been suggested in other studies to help with aging brain, helping to preserve cognitive function in older adults.(5)
Vision and Central Nervous System
Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, diet or other sources are important nutrients for the entire central nervous system. This includes the brain and another key part of the nervous system: Eye health.
Researchers have suggested that good intake of the Omega-3s may maintain vision health against age-related vision loss, and may also help with the irritating health condition known as dry eye syndrome.(6)
Immune System Function
Fish oil has immune-modulating activity that may have far-reaching effects on human health.
By helping to keep immune responses balanced, researchers have suggested the Omega-3 fatty acids may have soothing effects throughout the body, including in the joints, muscles, and blood vessels.(7,8)
Best Time to Take Fish Oil: Morning VS Night
It is well known that the best research backed health benefits of taking fish oils are associated with long-term use, but are there any additional benefits to timing? Is there a best time for supplementing, morning or night? In short, not really.
Let's explore!
Fish oil timing: to reduce side effects
One common side effect of taking fish oil, especially on an empty stomach, is acid reflux. It may manifest as the dreaded "fish burps". This can be reduced or avoided by splitting your daily dose into two smaller doses, one in the morning and one in the evening, and being sure to take fish oil with food.
Fish oil timing: to increase bioavailability
Speaking of taking fish oil with food, some studies suggest that taking a fish oil supplement alongside a meal with a good source of fat can potentially increase the absorption of omega 3s, which are fat-soluble nutrients.
So if you take fish oil, consider doing so with food, and keep in mind that a low fat meal won't encourage absorption as well as a meal with a healthy amount of good fats.
Fish oil timing: to get out of bed in the morning
Some people report it's easier and more comfortable to get out of bed in the morning when they take a fish oil supplement the night before. This may be a preferred time strategy to consider if you have achy joints, though more research needs to be done to confirm this approach to supplementation.
Fish oil timing: the bottom line
As we have established, the key to unlocking the many health benefits of fish oil is long-term use. To maximize these benefits, it's important to find a time that you remember to take it each day.
For some people, this could be the morning, and others may prefer to take it at lunchtime or with an evening meal. The most important thing is to work Omega 3s into your diet and take them consistently!
With the Top Omega 3 Supplement, Timing Doesn't Matter
The time to take fish oil doesn't matter much when it comes to benefits. However, timing can make a difference when it comes to some of the complaints associated with fish oil supplements. Namely, fish oil reflux, indigestion, and fishy-tasting burps that make it difficult to stick to your supplement regimen.
Far more important than timing is the amount and quality of the Omega 3 fatty acids supplement.
So how much of the omega 3 fatty acids should you be consuming? The American Heart Association suggests an optimal amount may be 1g of combined EPA and DHA per day, and no more than 2g per day. Performance Lab Omega-3 provides just that!
And you can avoid fishy side effects by upgrading your fish oil to algal oil that is also rich in omega 3 fatty acids, just from a clean vegan source. Performance Lab Omega 3 can take you there.
Performance Lab® Omega-3 is today's leading DHA+EPA product.
Featuring life's™OMEGA algal oil, Performance Lab® Omega-3 supplies the cleanest, most eco-friendly Omega 3s ever developed. It is also the only supplement to use NutriGels®: A carrageenan-free softgel.
Because of these quality features, Performance Lab® Omega-3 is easy to digest and absorb, with none of the side effects associated with fatty fish derived omega-3 supplements.
In other words, you don't have to time it to avoid gastric side effects or fishy burps, because they just don't happen.
As a convenient, comfortable and premium-quality Omega-3 fatty acids supplement, Performance Lab® Omega-3 makes it easy to get all the top research backed benefits of these good fats, including:
- Enhances cell membrane structure and function for healthy whole-body performance*
- Supports heart health, circulation and cardiovascular performance*
- Maintains healthy brain, eye and nervous system performance*
- Supports protein synthesis, muscle comfort and recovery*
Ultimately, this formula is cleaner than other forms of Omega-3s found in other supplements. Performance Lab is ultraclean! No mercury, heavy metals, PCBs, or toxic contaminants associated with fish oil.
Omega-3 is the perfect choice for building a healthy cell foundation and stacking with other Performance Lab® supplements to unleash your peak human performance.
Find out more about Performance Lab Omega-3 here
