Vegan ingredients are essential for obtaining omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining heart and brain health. Fish oil, a popular source of these fatty acids, comes from fish and fatty fish like salmon, trout, and tuna. However, harvesting these fish comes at a high environmental cost and has ethical implications for vegetarians and vegans.
There are various vegan-friendly fish oil alternatives available, such as vegan-friendly softgels that support cardiovascular well-being while being ethically sourced from marine microalgae. These softgels eliminate concerns related to overfishing and provide a convenient way to support cardiovascular well-being.
While fish oil supplements contain beneficial fatty acids, they are not considered vegan due to their animal origin. However, there are vegan fish oil alternatives and vegan DHA supplements that can provide similar nutrition.
Vegetarians can technically take fish oil, but many avoid it due to ethical reasons. The good news is that there are plant-based alternatives that can provide similar nutrients. DHA and EPA supplements derived from microalgae may be beneficial for vegetarians with increased needs or reduced conversion ability.
Our vegan-bestselling high strength Omega-3 is available in capsules or liquid form, and our products are 100% vegetarian and vegan approved. A vegetarian who excludes all fish and seafood products from their diet can take algae extract supplements instead of fish oil capsules to obtain the necessary omega-3s.
📹 I Took Omega 3 Fish Oil for 90 days, Here’s What Happened
Note: Dry eye syndrome can be complicated by other forms of ocular surface disease and it is always best to consult with your …
Is fish oil capsule non-veg?
It should be noted that this product contains animal products.
What are fish oil pills made of?
Fish oil supplements, including cod liver oil, contain EPA and DHA, vitamins A and D, and may be harmful in excessive amounts. Krill oil, algal oils, and flaxseed oil also contain EPA and DHA. Seafood may provide enough omega-3s, but more may not be better. Other nutrients in seafood may also contribute to its benefits. Consuming seafood in place of less healthy foods may result in healthier lifestyles, and there is evidence supporting this.
Who Cannot take cod liver oil?
Cod liver oil is potentially safe when used in amounts that provide the recommended daily intakes of vitamin A and vitamin D. However, it is potentially unsafe when taken in larger amounts. It is also likely safe for most children when taken in amounts that provide the recommended daily intakes of these vitamins. Cod liver oil may also increase blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, but it is unclear if this is a major concern.
It is also possible that cod liver oil may lower blood sugar levels and increase the effects of some antidiabetes drugs. Therefore, it is essential to monitor blood sugar levels closely while using cod liver oil.
Is fish oil pills good for everyone?
Despite the relatively low mercury content of fish oil, there is a certain degree of concern surrounding its consumption in relation to certain fish types. An excessive intake of fish oil has been demonstrated to elevate the risk of bleeding and to impair the immune response. The safety of fish oil for individuals with a seafood allergy remains uncertain. It is advised that fish oil supplements be taken under the guidance of a qualified medical professional. While generally safe when taken as advised, mild adverse effects may occur.
Who should avoid fish oil?
Fish oil, derived from various fish species, is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, which are essential for maintaining health. These fatty acids, particularly found in mackerel, herring, tuna, and salmon, can reduce pain, swelling, and prevent blood clotting. Fish oil is approved by the FDA as a prescription medication to lower triglycerides levels and is also available as a supplement.
However, fish oil supplements do not contain the same amount of fish oil as prescription products and cannot be used in place of prescription products. While fish oil supplements may be used for heart and mental health, there is no strong evidence supporting most of these uses.
Who Cannot take fish oil capsules?
Fish oil supplements may interact with certain medications and supplements, especially those on blood-thinning drugs or with chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or pancreatic disorders. They may also interfere with hormonal medications, including birth control pills. Studies suggest that oxidation of fish oil may worsen alcoholic liver disease, and those who consume more than two alcoholic drinks should not take fish oil supplements unless advised by their doctor. Concerns have been raised about the increased risk of prostate cancer, with some studies showing no link or decreased risk.
Can vegans take fish oil pills?
Fish oil supplements are not considered vegan due to their animal origin. However, vegan alternatives and DHA supplements are available on the market. Vegan Omega-3 supplements, such as DHA and EPA, come from the same plant source as fish, microalgae. Fish, like humans, don’t naturally produce these fatty acids, but they can be obtained from vegan microalgae oil. New Chapter’s Vegan Omega-3 Complex supplements are crafted with plant-based Omega fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, extracted from fermented microalgae grown in a clean environment in the USA.
The algae are cultivated in a rich broth, filtered in a solvent-free process, and enriched with good fats. The algae are traceable throughout their lifespan, resulting in high-quality Omega-3s designed for body absorption. These supplements are sustainably sourced, continuing New Chapter’s commitment to protecting our oceans.
In summary, vegan fish oil supplements are a viable alternative to fish oil, providing essential DHA and EPA from the same plant source as fish. By using a closed, indoor system, these supplements ensure the quality and sustainability of the omegas, making them a valuable addition to any wellness routine.
What is the vegetarian equivalent of fish oil?
Fish are rich in Omega-3s due to their consumption of algae, making algae oil a great vegan source of EPA and DHA. It is considered an ecologically sustainable form of Omega-3s. Algae oil supplements are available in high-quality, sustainably sourced forms. Seaweed, a versatile marine plant, offers edible options like wakame or nori, with some sources providing EPA and DHA. Seaweed supplements are made from marine phytoplankton. DHA-fortified foods, like plant milk, breakfast cereals, eggs, and yogurt, are also available from trusted brands.
To maximize plant-based omega-3 intake, combine ALA-rich options with direct EPA and DHA oils and supplements. Research has shown the potential health benefits of Omega-3s, making them an essential component of a healthy diet. Understanding their role and ensuring adequate intake through dietary sources or supplementation can help optimize health and well-being.
Should vegetarians take cod liver oil?
Cod liver oil, a fish-based supplement, is not suitable for vegetarians and vegans due to its fish-based nature. It is off-limits for those abstaining from fish, making it unsuitable for dietary supplements like omega-3s and vitamins A and D. Cod liver oil may also cause side effects like heartburn or upset stomachs, and its name may trigger gag reflexes. The environmental impact of cod liver oil production is also a concern, as it contributes to marine habitat devastation and excessive bycatch, undermining the health and diversity of marine species. Therefore, it may not be favored by those aiming to reduce their carbon footprint.
Can vegetarians eat fish oil capsules?
Vegetarians often suffer from a deficiency in omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are found in fish oil. Fish oil tablets and capsules are supplements that contain these fatty acids, which are found in some vegetables and plant sources but not produced by the body. These supplements can help compensate for the lack of omega 3 in the body.
The health benefits of fish oil capsules include improving brain functioning, as lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to less melancholy and anxiety. Fish oil supplements can be better treated for depression when combined with recognized therapy, and they encourage proper cerebral blood flow for improved cognitive function. It is essential to take precautions when taking these supplements.
Does fish oil pills have gelatin?
Gelatin, a substance derived from animal collagen, is used in drug and vitamin capsules due to its gel-forming properties. It is particularly useful as a casing for food supplements, including fish oil. However, its origin from cattle skin or bone could be problematic for those who don’t eat certain types of meat for religious or ethical reasons. To ensure you’re eating a product you’re satisfied with, it’s important to know the supplement’s composition.
Our omega-3 capsules are made without pork gelatin, as it feels wrong to put fish oil inside a meat casing. It’s important to consider the potential health benefits and drawbacks of gelatin consumption.
📹 What Happens if You Consumed Omega-3 Fish Oils for 30 Days
70% of the population is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. Find out why and what would happen if you started consuming more …
As kids we were forced to take cod liver oil, but as soon as I grew older I stopped. Started getting sinusitis several times each winter, in my 20’s, and then one winter after having had it three times (my doctor always prescribed antibiotics without testing me basically), I started with the cod liver oil again. Never had it again, and I’m in my 50’s now.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤ I developed severe dry eye and I didn’t know how I’d continue living my life. After perusal your article I persistently took 1 spoon of high quality fish oil for 6+ months, now I could say my symptoms improved 6/10. This is more than enough to go on with my life.
I got one for you. My Cardiologist fired me because I told him my heart rhythm smoothed out and my joint ache went away after taking Omega 3 (450mg) of EPA /DHA. One per day. I rumated why the Medical community hadn’t told me about this before? HE took offense. However he’s always ready to write a Rx. I told him it’s time he retired.
WOW…I have been taking Omega 3 for several weeks now and I luckily fell upon your website. I would conform that I have had dry eye syndrome since I can remember and until today since I saw your article I can confirm I my eyes feel sooo much better!! Not squinting as much and no hot towels needed lately. Thank you!
My optometrist recommended the De3 supplement for dry eyes. Since I eat sardines and salmon on a regular basis, she suggested one instead of the full dose. When I was taking the omegas on a regular basis several years ago my dry eye symptoms went away. I know that omega 3 works for dry eyes and will never slack off them again.
Pretty severe dry eye symptoms is something I at 75 of age only recently began to experience . . . for the last 3 months. And, I’ve had cataracts developing for about 2 years. I asked two experienced optometrists if there were any dietary or nutritional inputs which could ameliorate either of these two conditions, and both seemed surprised by the question; and both said no, and both recommended that aside from eventual surgery for the cataracts in the next 12 months or so, only eye drops and mild heat treatment would help . . . for the rest of my life. This article is, pardon the phrase, a real eye opener. I’m especially interested in the Omegaquant test which I’ll followup on. Thanks you, doctor for a well produced article. Very helpful.
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🐟 Omega-3 supplements are widely researched for their potential health benefits, including eye health, heart health, and joint health. 01:35 🧪 The effectiveness of Omega-3 supplements for dry eye treatment remains debated within the Eye Care profession due to inconsistent research findings. 03:39 🩸 Before starting Omega-3 supplements, it’s advisable to check baseline Omega-3 levels through blood tests, such as those offered by Omega Quant. 05:58 💊 Consistent intake of Omega-3 supplements over 90 days led to a significant increase in Omega-3 levels in the blood. 07:58 👁️ Improvement in dry eye symptoms was observed after around 6-8 weeks of consistent Omega-3 supplement intake. 08:40 📈 Omega-3 supplements also showed some improvement in tear film lipid layer levels, although further procedures like IPL might still be beneficial for optimal results. 10:04 💬 Recommendations for those considering Omega-3 supplements include checking blood levels, maintaining consistency, practicing good eyelid hygiene, and consulting with an eye doctor. Made with HARPA AI
I was intrigued with your use of the PRN omega 3 supplement, so I tried it. After having suffered with dry eye for many years and just taking any old fish oil product, I have found that this one works. Staying with it for 3 months did the trick! My eyes are very moist and I can read comfortably. Thanks for doing the research!
I love this stuff!!!! My routine is warm compresses, eye lid scrubs, (I’ve had horrid hordeolums and chalaziums) and your articles! It’s almost impossible to limit time on the computer. But I have a Zoom class and research papers due etc. I have a meibomian gland expressor but…..I don’t see well enough to use it!! I love to do everything myself but not that. I am trying the omega 3 supplements. I have a great eye-doc (Dr Keshishian, Burbank, CA) I stopped working as a critical care RN as I don’t think my vision is safe enough even corrected. The lettering on vials and amps are just too small and I refuse to make that kind of mistake! Aging sucks! Thanks again!!!! Awesome work!!!
I take cod-liver oil every day and I swear it’s an eye saver. I have been an insulin dependant diabetic for over 30 years, and I had started to show signs of early stage retinopathy in my scans around 4 years ago. After that, I started taking cod-liver oil every day, and within 2 years I had actually reversed the damage. My eye-doctor was very surprised. He said if he didn’t personally know me, he would have assumed my scans from 4 years ago, compared to 2 years ago were from a different person. He said my current scans do not indicate that I am a diabetic at all. I can only put this down to the cod-liver oil which is very rich in omega 3 and also contains vitamin A and D. Nothing else changed during that period. The only thing with cod-liver oil is that you have to make sure you don’t overdose on the vitamin A.
I took fish oil supplements for about 2 years about 8 years ago. I think it was 1200mg – 360mg Omega-3 daily. My heart started missing beats not long after I started taking it, and slowly got worse, until it developed into arrhythmia. The arrhythmia kept getting worse, and got so bad I would almost pass out, because my heart would stop for 3-4 seconds sometimes. I never thought it could be anything to do with the fish oil, but I believe now it was. I had to finally get a heart ablation procedure about 7 years ago because the arrhythmia was killing me. My heart is functioning normal now, and the heart ablation really saved my life. I can’t prove that fish oil caused my arrhythmia, but after doing a lot of searching on the internet I’ve found others with the same problem with fish oil, and even found a study from Sweden that mentioned some people getting heart arrhythmia from taking fish oil. I think this is very rare, and a very small percentage of people ever experience this problem with fish oil, but I’m telling people this in the event you start taking fish oil, and your heart starts to miss beats, stop taking it immediately. I’ve tried taking fish oil a couple of times after my heart ablation, as an experiment, and my heart would start missing beats in 2-3 days. Do a google search of “fish oil heart arrhythmia”, you may be shocked, apparently it’s a bigger problem then I thought. If fish oil bothers you drink 2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil a day.
How to absorb omg 3 more. 1- take fish oil or cold liver oil when you are fasted. 2- Break your fast with chees+omg of samething good has fat. Dont mix with samething has carb. Like, bread… You absorb more vitamins en omg 3 when you take fish oil or cod liver oil with fat. Iam doing it almost voor 2 years and you feel much beter.
I’m so glad your article showed up on my feed. I started taking Omega 3 oil tablets during COVID, for general health. About a year into it, I “discovered” I no longer needed reading glasses, which most people post 40 years old will need due to blurry reading. The only thing I changed in my diet and lifestyle once I got reading glasses, was fish oil tablets. Little to no change in anything else. When I went for my full eye exam, the doctor could not explain it, other than to say I still needed glasses to read (for distance, which I need anyway). I asked again: I no longer need reading glasses at all, in fact, I have to take them off to read. Crickets 😂 I also googled this phenomenon and no known cases, or discussions on this, were found. More crickets 😂 Amazing stuff! Thanks again!
Hey Doc, I started being impacted by blepharitis. This went on for at least 1 year, until I went to an eye doctor and was prescribed warm compresses, pills, and ointments. Nothing worked even after sticking to the prescription for months. Then I started having daily intake of Omega-3 fatty acids. This was the cheapest brand of Omega-3 fatty acids on the shelf, nothing fancy. After a couple of months of taking Omega-3 fatty acids, my blepharitis went away. Now it’s almost been 10 years, that I have been taking omega-3 fatty acids daily. I have not had any re-occurrence of blepharitis. I can tell you, that in my case at least, it cured me. This was purely thanks to the internet searches I did at the time. I am surprised that even today, 10 years later, the eye doctors have not come to a consensus that Omega-3 does wonders for the eye, and for the rest of the body for that matter. I can tell you that it worked in my case, and hope others read this, and it works for them too, just like it worked for you, and hopefully one day it will be part of the prescription, rather than the person needing to Google it for themselves.
The condition known as ” dry eye” actually causes your eyes to be watery ( not dry) because the body is trying to keep the tissue hydrated with tears. Dry Eye isn’t caused by lack of tears. It’s due to the decrease in an oil- like substsnce that coats the tear- moistened eyeball to prevent the moisture from evaporating too rapidly.
At 73 after cataract surgery, laser surgery implant of toric lens, great results for a couple of years, then vision and dry eye issues becoming serious enough to require prescription scleral contacts and dry enough to cause a couple of corneal abrasions overnight upon awakening. I tried warm compresses, Munro 5%, dry eye drops preservative free, scleral contacts and prism glasses to get 20/20 vision with minimal distortion. Eye doctor suggesting the oil gland procedures costing thousands without guaranteed results. I wanted to try Omega 3’s and I definitely got fantastic results after a couple of months of daily use of Omega 3 fish oil. It’s been about 4 months in, still doing very well.🤞
Have suffered from deliberating watery eye (blepharitis) for almost 10 years. Been to see 2 eye specialists multiple times who put me on all the conventional treatments several times, including antibiotics. Nothing worked and it was booked in for a DCR operation in a couple of months. On seeing this article I thought I would give a high quality omega 3 a try. 3 months on 2-3 grams of omega 3 did nothing for me. As a last resort I upped the omega 3 dose to 5 grams a day of the best quality oil I could find. After 60 days my watery eye symptoms had almost disappeared. I have been symptom free for 2 months now and am continuing on 5 grams of oil every day. High dose omega 3 have been life changing for me. Thank you for making this article!
I have been taking the PRN Omega 3 Supplements shown in this article for about 4 months and I can say there is a difference. I don’t feel the need to use eye drops as much and my eyes just feel better. I also got the Omegaquant test and I started out at about a 4.5 and now above 7.5 after 3 month period. They’re expensive but I think worth it.
Interesting study, which i can vouch for in real life. Briefly, i am a Type 1 diabetic for over 50 years, and have suffered from severe dry eye condition or over 25 years. Unfortunately, i also suffer from recurring eye erosions, which is linked to the dry eye condition. About 12 years ago, i started to take ‘Omega 3 and collagen powder’ supplements every evening, and it has changed my quality of life completely. My eye health improved over a period of 8 weeks, and the erosions reduced dramatically in that time period. These days i still follow the same regime, but have the collagen three times a week only. My eye erosion is now only occasional, and peaks when the pollen count is high. But after 12 years of use, i am happy with my eye health overall.
Omg I swear my algorithm is starting to read my mind! Was literally just thinking about my dry eyes today and wondering if suppliments are even effective and what suppliments work best and then your article came up on my feed! Thank you for sharing this! I do take omega three for mental health, but not very consistently and only at about half the recommended dose. Lately my dry eyes, especially on my left eye, have been way worse than normal (especially when i sleep for some reason), but ive also been quite infrequent with my suppliment lately too. I’m going to switch up to a full dose and do it regularly and see what happens. I will probably still go get my eyes checked out soon, but I feel like this cant hurt! Thanks for sharing ❤
This article just popped up on my feed and found it very interesting. We have been taking Omega 3 ( a well known Norwegian brand of cod liver oil) just for general health reasons and I’ve just realized that though I have suffered from dry eyes in the past, for a number of months now it hasn’t recurred. I never thought about it until seeing your article but maybe I am having the same results! Thanks for the article!
Thanks Doctor. I started taking Omega 3 like 4 years ago as my eye doctor suggested me for my dry eye. At the beginning, I did not feel a big difference after I took Omega 3, but I do feel my dry eye issue is lessor, but still dry. One time, I finished by Omega 3 and did not buy another bottle right away, so I stopped for like 2-3 weeks, then I realized that my dry eye issue was getting worse significantly. Then, I bought another bottle of Omega 3 and started to take it daily, my eyes feel a lot better. So, your suggestion to keep the Omega 3 within eyesight, is a good idea. I also suggest to keep extra bottle to avoid running out. Thanks again Doctor.
I had been doing a low carb low fat diet for 3 months. I was working in the garden and after about a minute of work I would be exhausted. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. A friend of mine told me I needed EFA,s (essential fatty acids). I took 4×1700 mg a day. I had more stamina than ever before and my cholesterol levels were evened out. They work!
I’m not advocating this for anybody. I’m just sharing my personal information. I suffered dry eye syndrome and did the warm compresses and the wipes with good results. But eight months ago I switch to a full-blown carnivore for the rest of my life diet. I no longer suffer dry eye as I’m getting the proper human diet’s fat and protein intake. Along with other medical symptoms, that have completely healed themselves. I can honestly say that eliminating all carbs and increasing my fat and protein intake seem to have resolve this issue.
The same results happened to me, and it was a miracle. I had extremely dry eyes seeing the doctor for years with no results. My eyes were so dry, I was so depressed. I started cod liver oil (HDL) supplements very high doses at first 3 months then low doses every day after to maintain the moisture in my eyes. Now, my eyes are doing GREAT. ❤
I have been taking Omega 3 gel capsules for 4 years. The main benefit I noticed is that I began to fall asleep fairly easily. Tested the effectiveness by starting and stopping the Omega 3s. Consistent results. No Omega 3s, trouble falling asleep. Lots of Omega 3s, fall asleep normally within 10 minutes vs my normal 30 minutes to one hour. My daily dosage is 1420 EPA & 960 DHA. Next order, I will likely increase to 3-4 total grams vs. my current 2.4 grams.
I read recently that the DHA component of Omega 3, which is supposed to be very important for retinal health, does not actually enter the retina from ordinary Omega 3 supplements. I wonder what your thoughts on that would be, and if you think fish oil supplementation still has a place for eye health apart from dry eye.
I started taking 1000 mg. a day to aid in protein synthesis with weight training and discovered as a result my eye pressure went from on average 26-27 down to like 18-19 for the last two years without changing anything else in my life as far as diet or taking any type of medicine. I check regularly because of a family history of glaucoma and when I told my doctor, she said that there are no studies to back up that omega 3s could lower eye pressure and didn’t think it was something worth exploring further. My last check-up was perfect and I still have zero signs of glaucoma. What’s your take on this? Maybe a future article.
I want you as my doctor… someone who seems like they actually listen and take into consideration of the customers questions and concerns(ive been going to a private eye dr for 5 yrs for anyone asking). It seems like others are just there for the check, get you in, get you out. Bam bam. You seem like you would actually get things right the first time, everytime. I like that, i want that, i neeeed that! Lol
Thank you Doc! It is always interesting to see who is paying for various studies. I’m not saying they would intentionally lie but at pivot points in the studies they may lean to one side. That being said, imho, if something works for an individual that is what matters to that individual. I might give this a try. If it doesn’t help, it doesn’t seem like bad side effects are likely. I have been having problems with my eyes part of which I think are allergies. My doctor seems to think everything is OK in my eyes.
You have to try Omega 7. I do not have issues with dry eyes but I definitely noticed increased oil production and sense of moistness. I have been taking Krill Oil Omega 3, Astaxanthin, Lutein+Zeazanthin for many years, so the effect I noticed (after just a few days) is on top of those supplements; I tried the Omega 7 for one month consistently; I used Provinal purified Omega 7 (from fish) instead of the Sea Buckthorn supplement. Give it a shot, it certainly had an effect on me. Cheers.
I’m a HUGE advocate for fish oil. I’ve tried without and feel awful. My dog was diagnosed with cancer some years back and given 4 to 6 weeks. I supplemented him with salmon oil and a few other things and he lived another two years, these were two healthy, pain free years. Even the vet called him the miracle dog. I did so much research on omegas and the effects they have. I don’t have eye issues at all so can’t say much about that, but maybe I don’t have eye issues because I take omegas daily? Who knows. But I will always remember my wonderful dog and how I’m 100% positive they improved his symptoms and gave me more time with him.
Thank you for the long time you tested and the “not an ad” qualifiers. Glad you found something that helped & shared a positive experience. Personally, I have found that Omega-3, in the doses you described, also help with my Attention issues and overall skin complexion. I grew up with some big food intolerances so I’ve always needed vitamin supplements. I have become VERY curious & critical of vitamin processing because higher quality vitamins made me feel better. Fish oil is one I looked into A LOT just so I could avoid buying rancid oil (fishy burps are gross😅) and The way you touched on EPA/DHA levels is quite important. Thanks again.
I started taking Omega3 fish oil to help with my generalised fatigue. It helped so much, I went from sleeping 12 hours a day to sleeping 8 hours and feeling normal. The biggest change I noticed was my increase in cognitve function. My concentration skyrocketed and my memory improved drastically. I wrote my dissertation on the effects of omega 3 on cognitive function, after seeing such an improvement in myself. Very interesting topic to look in to. Thanks for your informative article 🙂
For 10 years ive suffered from dermatitis on my eye lids and it started spreading to corners of my mouth. I stumbled across some information about Omega 3 and started eating salmon each day. Within 1 week my symptoms are 70% improved, and i hope over time this will completely disappear. Ive asked many doctors about this and no one has been able to pinpoint the cause. Congratulations for highlighting/testing supplements and diet to improve health.
Hello, I’m a French MD and I have been interested in omega-3 and omega-3 supplementation for quite a long time. Like you I have done n=1 experiments with OmegaQwant and exchanged emails with experts on this topic. My main concerns are : no data supporting long term omega-3 supplementation for big health outcomes, purity of pills and supplementation might vary a lot, the omega 3 index is not well correlated to a better health or omega 3 consumption. I say this because French living on the coasts have been studied in the Calypso study. With omega 3 evaluations similar to omega-3 index. Their index is not that high (around 5) and yet their outcome is far better than other population. It might be that there is some kind of genetic variations (and ceiling) in omega 3 absorption and incorporation in the RBC membrane… so the test becomes a bit useless… I have written a long piece + sources and articles on my personal blog in French (translation tools are great this days…) if you are interested in this kind of topic.
I am here to say thank you! I sit in front of a bunch of computer screens every day and have always had dry eyes to the point that I can not wear contacts. I had an eye Dr visit coming up and looked on YouTube for some ideas or inspiration and found you. I talked with my Dr about the PRN product and he said that he had heard good things about Omega3, but just didnt know enough about it? This is a GREAT eye Dr in a very nice suburb of Houston! So I bought the PRN product off of Amazon and it has been amazing! I am now on my 3rd bottle. My 8 year old daughter will look at my eyes sometimes and ask me if I am crying or going to cry. I dont know if my eye ducts (?) have gone on overdrive now that they have the Omega3, but I dont have symptoms anymore. Thank you for your great presentation. It worked for me.
This was so interesting. I also eat a WFPB diet but keep it pretty vegan. The only whole food sources of omega 3 I’m eating are flax and chia seeds. I do take EPA/DHA from an algal source, but it’s quite pricey so I only take half the recommended dose every other day. Like you, I’ve also really struggled with dry eyes for at least a decade. Your experiment has really given me some food for thought. Seems like it’s time to do some self testing for myself!
I used to suffer from dry eyes. I started taking high-quality fish oil supplements on the advice of a fertility nutritionist. I have not suffered dry eyes since. More intetestingly, when I started taking them half an hour before bed (rather than in the morning), I get sleepy much quicker and sleep more deeply. And that’s with a 4 month old who wakes up multiple times throughout the night.
This is a very interesting article! I’ve been taking fish oil in and out for over a decade now for my endometriosis. When I am taking it I am not as inflamed, my monthly pain is far less, and I became quite regular with my period dates. But I stop taking it from time to time because I start getting acid reflux.
I noticed after about six or eight weeks on a plant based diet, alone, that my eyes were far less red, enough that I could stop eye drops altogether. I don’t know if that’s because I was getting so many nutrients IN every day, or that I was keeping the more inflammatory processed foods OUT everyday. I wish I would have supplemented with fish oil omega -3’s at that time. I’ll bet I would have seen much more improvement, because as you say, just healthy greens and whole foods don’t supply enough Omega’s to make much difference. I have good quality fish oil supplements on the shelf. I’m going to start my own 90 run and see how it goes. Thanks for the article, Doc.
Rubbish ! You need All omegas 3-5-6-7-9-11 in Balance, along with SCFA’s like butyrate & MCFA like C8 to support healthy membranes & lipid metabolism. You also need optimum bile flow, & lipase output to assimilate & absorb these well. Get a full spectrum lipid & fatty acids lab work done, get it analyzed and then take appropriate supplements. And if you have to take omega3s, only take the triglyceride form which is clinically proven to have higher absorption.
Let me tell you my experience with Niacin. I started takin it to lower my LDL. After only 7 days of taking this supplement I started to have the symptoms of dry eyes, something that I never suffer off before. After I found out the Niacin cause dry eyes, I inmediately stop taking it and is almost 2 and a half weeks since I am not taking it and my eyes are feeling much better.
I can tell basically the same story as you, minus all the science. I started taking omega 3 and when i saw improvements (but not getting rid of dry eyes), i increased the dosage. I am taking 5 grams of omega 3 daily now, and i am absolutely, completely symptom free. I am 6 feet 3 tall weighing a bit more than 100 kilos, so other people probably need less. As in your story, it took about a month before things got better.
It would have been nice to see what your LIPID panel was like before and after. I noticed you started on 11/28 (Fall) and concluded in the Spring. Your diet might have changed due to festivities, where you might have started ingesting more cholesterol — or even changed your amount of exercise. I track my LIPIDS throughout the year, and it’s interesting to watch the LIPIDs fluctuate with the seasons. 🤔
My wife takes the PRN brand fish oil Omega 3 for psoriatic arthritis and she claims they really work for her. She is a nurse and rather skeptical of vitamin and supplement claims. One note is that PRN are not an inexpensive choice but quality comes at a price. They do work. One side benefit is it really helps control your cholesterol as well. So joint pain, cholesterol and dry eye benefits all from one supplement. When comparing omega 3 supplements, look at the EPA and DHA content. PRN brand has much higher values than drug store brands
Dr. Allen, thank you for the informative article . I want to express my gratitude for sharing your knowledge. I have severe dry eyes, and I tried taking the HYDRA PHYT 500 mg omega-3 supplement for three days. Unfortunately, I experienced heart pain and had to stop. However, I experimented by chewing the capsule once every two days instead of swallowing it, hoping to avoid the discomfort. Thank you
Thanks for this great review of the PRN omega product. I also suffer from chronic dry eyes and I’m also mostly plant based with occasional fish. I started to take the PRN omega supplements August 2022 since it seemed like a reputable brand. My lipid panel improved compared to 5 years ago when it was previously done. I took the supplement religiously as prescribed up until a few months ago when I cut down to only 2 capsules a day to save money but then saw a worsening of my dry eye symptoms within a month, so I’m back up to 3 capsules a day. I agree you still need to do all of the other things like warm compresses and eye lid scrubs and keeping fans/heat to a minimum. BTW, I’m a clinical pharmacist and highly recommend this product based on my personal experience!
Love your website—THANK YOU!! I suffer from DED with MGD, Evaporative Tears and Occular surface erosion. I am on the PRN De3 (1/day)…and just ordered my Omega 3 test (inspired)! I appreciate any and all evidence based dry eye disease information, studies etc. I have oMGlands which I am contemplating getting probed for fear of losing them to atrophy. I do everything I’ve been told to do, warm compress, Omega 3, lid hygiene, preservative free drops, night ointment, on prescription xiidra, I’ve done IPL, just started daily eye massager and ultrasonic nebulizer—really frustrated but still hopeful. Look forward to any articles/info you may do or offer on probing of Meibomian glands!!
I stopped wearing contacts years ago but when I did wear them I noticed the dry eyes problem with soft contacts, also red eyes now and then. All this disappeared when I switched to rigid gas permeable ones. I was told they were “rougher” to wear and required getting used to but exactly the opposite was true for me: prefect from day one, no abrasions, and no dry eyes, super comfortable. But YMMV as usual! At some point I switched back to regular frame glasses for no particular reason, laziness mostly.
I just did a test now and am awaiting the results. Have been a vegan for five years and the last two raw. And gotten dry eyes and quite blurry eyesight. Started to take omegas from algae and also consuming them and included more walnuts and my eyesight got tremendously better… the dry eyes are still annoying. Staring on a supplement now for vegans that is made of algae but in higher concentration. Excited to see what the results are….
Do eye supplements work at all to improve vision? I have seen online supplements claiming by those who do the articles for them that they improve vision. Like this supplement called sight care. I recently just came across claiming that the product would improve one’s vision over a period of time. I am just wondering any thoughts.
I take 4g of Vascepa a day (a prescription fish oil that is EPA only) for high triglycerides. I had such a good response we weaned it to 2g daily and after a month I noticed my dry eye was WAY worse again (I have Sjogrens). I went back up to 4g to see if it would help my eyes and within 2 weeks my dry eye symptoms were significantly improved again. Thanks for this very interesting information! I love how scientific you were with it, lots of really good information l!
Thanks for doing this. As a substitute for a warm compress when I go to sleep and when I wake I cover my eye socket with the palm of my hand and sandwich my hand between my head and the pillow for about 5 min. The heat and moisture from my palm really helps loosen up the morning gunk and gets the tear duct flowing. I switch from one side to the other and do one eye at a time. It has really helped.
Very interesting. Out of interest, how much oily fish would you have to eat on a daily basis to be equivalent to the supplement you were taking? I prefer to get my nutrients via eating the right food, but sometimes you would just need to eat too much of a the same thing for it to remain an interesting diet.
Just started a 3-month regimen of this Omega-3 supplement….fingers crossed! I have had dry eye in my left eye for years due to blocked oil glands, and I’m tired of the blurry vision. It has been difficult, and uncomfortable, to enjoy the scenery while driving round-trip between California and Massachusetts. I tried the VitreousHealth by MacuHealth, but with nominal results. Feeling hopeful about the De3! 💪
I’ve been taking Omega 3 for years now, but it’s only been in the past five years that my eye doctor began to recommend it (I have glaucoma and occasional dry eye). My GP also recommended it for general healthcare. My husband has a pace maker and low blood pressure. His doctor recommended Omega 3 supplements for his heart. I’m happy with it and take the dosage you do but I don’t remember what it was like without it.
I was told to start getting Omega 3 supplements after having some heart trouble back in 2009. Those and multivitamins. I had/have a pretty healthy and varied diet, excluding fish though, but they recommended that I get them nevertheless. I shopped around to find how much DHA and EPA that various products contained. Merely comparing oil weight per dose per unit cost doesn’t necessarily get one the best deal. So now, since 2009, I’ve been taking 3 x 1000mg capsules per day; from Holland and Barrett here in Britain. I asked the Doc how long the ‘repairs’ that they had made to my heart would be good for. “Oh ! We’ve had patients go as long as 10 years without needing intervention … That was 14 years ago !!! Fingers crossed eh ?? Eye health ? Well, I Have had two cataracts. Removed 4 years apart.
I used to take fish oil but forgot to buy a new bottle this year and my symptoms did come back. Couldn’t figure out why. Now after perusal this article I immediately ordered a new bottle. And yes, you should have continued other interventions because if you stop them all at once, other confounding variables are making a difference!
If taking Omega 3 follow label instructions to take just prior to meals and not on empty stomach. Softgels with Omega 3 amd containing tocopherol as antioxidant, along with good purification, ensure fishy odour and stomach issues will not occur. You can cut open a softgel to detect if the oil is not hogh quality.
You’re a doll. So glad you had the patience to do all that for us. I am also WFPB…but vegan. I take vegan omega 3, black seed oil, flax seed oil, do the electric heating mask, and NuLids. Don’t know which one is making things better, but I work on an airplane, with about 2%-4% humidity. My eyes, skin, hair have been dry for decades. Finally found a real dry eye specialist, and changed to my current regimen, and things got better. Also do Lipiflow once a year. I think the thing that helps the most, is consistency. When you stop…the benefits stop. 👁️👁️
Thank you. Very interesting. I have been taking omega 3 for 5 years now mainly for joint pain at first. After my hip replacement, I still continue to take it as I noticed other improvements in my skin, hair thickness and nails, but this is good to know about the eyes. It also has so many other health benefits that it is now part of my daily routine 👌
Congratulations on doing what every doctor should do when trying to figure out what’s wrong with someone’s health/body. All doctors should take this approach, but we know it’s because this type of care would not be covered by 99% of insurances and be too time consuming and unprofitable to make sense unfortunately.
I have been taking cod lever oil since 5 years now and am able to develop immunity strongly against known illness be it cold or fever or stomach related issues. I strongly believe that somehow my immunity was strong during COVID times as I was passively infected by some strangers passing through few times who were COVID positive, but it did not affect me much as I lost my taste buds for two days and regained it on third day back to normal. I do not know if world agrees to this point.lol😂
In Europe, fish oil pills must now list that atrial fibrillation is a common side effect of taking fish oil supplements, this is according to the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency (Medscape, October 13, 2023). So, it looks like it’s probably better to eat sardines, anchovies, wild caught salmon along with a plant based diet to get your Omega 3’s. Supplements can mess with the heart
I have dry eyes and floaters…… I tried Castor Oil …. rubbed it on my lids at night before I went to bed. MY FLOATERS WENT AWAY!!!!!!! I’m lazy, and forget to do it all the time. I need to try it and keep a log and do it every night for a month straight to see if it improves my vision. I have noticed I don’t have dry eyes as bad. I noticed Castor Oil has helped. Learned it from a old time nurse.
Sometimes it’s your diet. Eat more fish, olive oil, even butter. I started researching. Food is medicine. When I stopped consuming sugar and bread my ophthalmologist said your eyes are getting better. What are you doing? I told her. I broke down though last month, made my limeade. That sugar it was sooooo good. 😆 Later that evening, my vision was blurry. I was like wow… I really can’t have sugar anymore. 😥
omega 3 olis will have oher beneficial effects in addition to the dry eyes- they will help joints, arteries and generally reduce inflammation in the body. i used to suffer dry eyes, and these other tips also helped enormously: 1) drink more water 2) moisturise over your eyelids with a light face moisturiser morning and night (especially at night)
I had dry eye problems since 2015, I came across a research where 70% of patients had improvement after having cod liver oil. So in 2016 I started having cod liver oil, after around 4-5 weeks my dry eyes started improving and after few more weeks the dry eye problem was completely gone, Its 2023 and I do have fish oil now to, however not very regularly, last 7 years I have not had any dry eye problems.
I remember reading about this online, not believing it, but buying some supplements anyway. I honestly noticed a difference by the next day. My dry eye didn’t go away but the symptoms were reduced. I’m taking fish oil supplements 4000 per day now. Why mess around right. I had prk twice in my left eye 20 years ago and man that was a mistake. I swear by this although I still have dry eye it’s tolerable.
I suffer with pancreatitis and have taken these everyday for two years. Usually I’d be in hospital two or three times a year with very painful pancreatitis. I haven’t been in hospital for over a year now and these have literally saved my life. I take four 2000mg a day and I urge anyone with pancreatitis to take this. It’ll change your life!
The thing about O3 is that it is VERY sensitive to oxidation (and when oxidised becomes VASTLY more damaging to cells by free radicals). The most used antioxidant (Tocopherol) has only limited effect in preventing oxidation, so the probability of your (generic) supplements net effect being beneficial is not only zero, it can be negative. Probably explains why none of the large O3 studies conducted, shown any long term beneficial effect whatsoever.
There has been research and evidence of the benefits of Omega-3 for many many years. Also with flax oil it works very well however the molecules too big to cross the blood-brain barrier so it works for the body but it’s not efficient for the brain. I recommend cod liver oil because you get vitamin A and D from it
Cool this makes me excited to know what the six wild salmon oil capsules daily is gonna do for me. It’s been a month now, I decided to take it for my terrible eyes and also to help heal my brain from trauma and also for some slight arthritis in left shoulder sometimes. I really do feel more rounded and better taking them
TRY RHOTO EYE DROPS ORIGINALY MADE IN JAPAN NOW SOME MADE IN VIETNAM, THEY ARE NOT CHEAP AND THEY ARE THE TYPE YOU SHOULD NOT REALLY USE ALL THE TIME SINCE THEY USE A LIGHT ACID TO “PEEL” AWAY THE TOP LAYER OF YOUR EYE TO MAKE IT SEEM FRESH. THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF RHOTO, SOME HAVE VITAMIN E, SOME ARE SPECIFICALLY FOR EYE STRESS FROM SCREENS. CHECK THEM OUT!
My dry eye problem showed up suddenly after a year on a no-meat diet and I have often wondered if there was a connection. My dry problem is night-time only… I’d wake up with my eyelids stuck to my eyeballs and have to squirt drops in them to get them loose. But during the day I have no trouble. An optometrist suggested a prescription drug “Xiidra” but the out-of-pocket cost on it was going to be insane and studies on it indicated only modest improvements for users. I’ve gone back to eating something with salmon in it several times a week and the severity of the night-time dry eyes has reduced somewhat but not gone away. I’ll try the supplement but I’m doubtful it will do anything the salmon is not already doing.
Your definition of “Rare” is grossly incorrect, once a week does not even equate to seldom. Once weekly is regular to say the least even if not frequent. Seriously, you guys need to learn your own language and as “Scientifically Trained” holders of Doctorates remain true to the Profession and be pedantic about definitions.
Pretty good info Doc, however you should know that blood cells take about 120 days to renew, meaning you should have taken the O3’s a bit longer. The Test is rather basic and doesn’t say much other than the index. Theres better tests out there more comprehensive including cell membrane fluidity. Also careful with selecting cheap Fish Oil, as you can imagine fats stored wrongly can go rancid fast. Thanks for sharing this tho.
One important issue with using Omega-3 is that there’s an increase in levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol. This could obviously be a serious issue for those with high LDL levels and who are trying to lower their LDL level. I know from my own experience when using Omega-3 that my cholesterol levels went up. So, I’m sceptical about using them. But I have serious dry eye issues as well. Not sure if I should give Omega-3 another go. Plus, I’m a diabetic as well.
As a 78 year old musician I was getting very concerned about numbness, tingling & reduced feeling in my hands & fingers. On the internet there was a mention that omega 3 could help repair nerve damage so I started eating more fish in a forlorn hope it might improve my situation. After a month of the new diet I was surprised to find a great improvement in my hands with the numbness almost completely eradicated. Another unexpected result was a great improvement in reduced back pain which was making walking difficult. I now take a cod liver oil supplement as well as maintaining a fish diet so I am convinced of the benefits that increased omega 3 can bring,.
Been taking o3 fish oil capsules from a certain popular warehouse house brand for years consistently and if there were health benefits personally, hmmm, nothing to mention. Perhaps nothing was the benefit! 🤔 I’ll certainly continue to take optimal amounts of vits and minerals + doing my best in strength training and healthiest diet possible!
I’m sure this is not what you want to hear based on that you don’t eat so much animal food but I experienced on myself the more I go to carnivore-ish side the better everything gets. All that dry eyes sympthoms and not just that I had lasik operation for my eyesight so I see 100%. When I tested carnivore diet once for 1 month my eyesight got even better it was strange cause I already had perfect eyesight..and also some knee pain and that kind of stuff just go away very quickly. There really is some magic in meat and especially fatty meat. For sure omega 3 helped you transition a little to that side…great article!
I just started taking Nordic Naturals and I am type 2 diabetic for 22 years still with high blood sugar. I retired four years ago and luckily my eye health is still good all things considering. When I was working I could at work read three letter codes 3/8″ tall on a 19″ computer monitor 24′ away. People were kind of amazed.
If taking Omega 3 follow label instructions to take just prior to meals and not on empty stomach. Softgels with Omega 3 amd containing tocopherol as antioxidant, along with good purification, ensure fishy odour and stomach issues will not occur. You can cut open a softgel to detect if the oil is not high quality.
Subbed! I have dry eyes like you and have been advised to do warm compress every night + eye drops. My eyes are feeling better and not so heavy and tired. Will check out your other articles on how to clean the eye lids…but Dr, you are tugging your eyes too hard! As a person who used to work in skincare industry, I grimaced at how roughly you tugging at your eye area…lol, it’s coming from a place of love! Thank you for sharing your self study, i was supposed to start eating cod liver oil capsules, will be starting soon and looking forward to seeing if it works to improve my dry eyes.
When we figure out that nearly eveything that goes wonky with health starts with inflammation (as I did a while ago) then it makes perfect sense that Omega 3’s would bring down inflammation (anti-inflammatory cytokines in omega 3 out-compete inflammatory cytokines at the receptor). Google inflammation and _________ (fill in the blank). It IS the problem on nearly everything. Testing IL-6 or CRP tells a story and thy are an easy blood test. More omega 3’s, less chronic inflammation. Lots of things then improve and resolve.
Ironic isn’t it, that as a wholefood plant based eater but PRIMARILY ETHICAL VEGAN, I can’t take omega 3 capsule, precisely because they contain cow/pig gelatine and fish oil, but if I had to do so them I would resort to Dr Joel Fuhrman’s plant based supplement. Instead take the take ground seeds combi daily, but I have heard the ineffectiveness argument before, but from where do the fish get their omega 3?
I’ve been taking 2000 mg omega 3 fish oil for over 10 years. I started because of the Joint and Heart benefits. I have suffered with dry eyes for 40 yrs. I’m 57. The only thing that stops it, absolutely, is 10mg Diazipam daily. It should be repurposed for this condition. It also helps with muscular skeletal problems. It doesn’t affect cognitive ability, and unfortunately I have to buy from illicit sources. Because there’s no money to be made by big pharma, they will prescribe a load of toxic junk that doesn’t work. UK National.