Stop the Fish Oil Aftertaste
You can reap all the benefits of inflammation-fighting fish oil supplements without the fishy taste.
Don’t let your fish oil supplements linger on a kitchen shelf because they’re hard to digest. Here’s how to get omega-3 essential fatty acids without the burps.
Freeze Them
Frozen fish oil capsules are broken down in the stomach more slowly, which can reduce the aftertaste. Freezing won’t affect potency and will keep them fresh longer.
Choose Enteric Coating
Some brands, such as Kirkland Signature and Nature’s Way, offer capsules with enteric coating, which prevents them from being digested until they reach the small intestine, where fish oil is less likely to cause problems.
Eat and Divide
Take your fish oil capsules with meals, preferably in divided doses, so your stomach has less to process at one time.
Stick to Tested Brands (and be wary of long expiration dates)
In one study by an independent testing lab, more than 1 in 10 common fish oil supplements were rancid or on the verge of going bad, including Puritan’s Pride and generally well-regarded Carlson cod liver oil. In other studies, it was 20%. Break open a capsule; if it smells like old fish, it may be rancid. Don’t trust expiration dates, either. Many supplements oxidize long before that.
Try Lipase
Some fish oil supplements have added lemon to help reduce the fishy aftertaste. The downside is that flavorings can also mask rancidity. A better bet: Try taking supplements with lipase, a digestive enzyme that helps break down fats.
Seek Out Seaweed
Derived from algae, or seaweed, algal supplements have healthy omega-3s, without the fish. They’re also a great alternative for vegans and vegetarians and anyone concerned about depleted fish stocks.
Freeze Them
Frozen fish oil capsules are broken down in the stomach more slowly, which can reduce the aftertaste. Freezing won’t affect potency and will keep them fresh longer.
Choose Enteric Coating
Some brands, such as Kirkland Signature and Nature’s Way, offer capsules with enteric coating, which prevents them from being digested until they reach the small intestine, where fish oil is less likely to cause problems.
Eat and Divide
Take your fish oil capsules with meals, preferably in divided doses, so your stomach has less to process at one time.
Stick to Tested Brands (and be wary of long expiration dates)
In one study by an independent testing lab, more than 1 in 10 common fish oil supplements were rancid or on the verge of going bad, including Puritan’s Pride and generally well-regarded Carlson cod liver oil. In other studies, it was 20%. Break open a capsule; if it smells like old fish, it may be rancid. Don’t trust expiration dates, either. Many supplements oxidize long before that.
Try Lipase
Some fish oil supplements have added lemon to help reduce the fishy aftertaste. The downside is that flavorings can also mask rancidity. A better bet: Try taking supplements with lipase, a digestive enzyme that helps break down fats.
Seek Out Seaweed
Derived from algae, or seaweed, algal supplements have healthy omega-3s, without the fish. They’re also a great alternative for vegans and vegetarians and anyone concerned about depleted fish stocks.
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