What to look for when buying fish oil [So You Don’t Waste Money on One That Won’t Work]

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If you’ve ever stood in the supplement aisle and stared at 47 different fish oil bottles, wondering which one won’t make you burp or break the bank, you’re not alone.

Here’s what no one tells you: The $15 fish oil and the $45 fish oil may contain the same amount of omega-3s, but your body can’t necessarily use them in the same way.

That’s the difference between wasting money and actually healing.

Fish oil should not be confusing.

[Though the supplement industry seems determined to make it that way.]

And you certainly don’t have to gamble with your feelings.

The truth? Most fish oils are fine.

But good isn’t enough when you’re dealing with chronic bloating, inflammation, or hormonal chaos that feels like it has its own zip code.

You deserve something better than a fine; one that really works.

Let’s take a look at what exactly you need to look out for so you can choose wisely, feel confident and actually see results.

Click HERE to save this article for later.

The 5 non-negotiables when choosing a gut-friendly fish oil

If you get nothing else from this article, take this:

✔ Triglyceride or re-esterified triglyceride form (TG or rTG).

Your intestines absorb this form considerably better than ethyl ester forms. This is important for women with compromised digestion.

✔ 1000–1500 mg combined EPA + DHA

This is the therapeutic range for supporting inflammation, hormone balance and gut healing. Anything less won’t move the needle.

✔ Purchasing small fish (anchovies and sardine are best)

Smaller fish = cleaner fish. They accumulate fewer toxins and heavy metals than larger fish such as tuna or salmon.

✔ No artificial flavors or unnecessary additives

If your intestines are sensitive, you don’t need mysterious ingredients. Clean formulas = better tolerability.

✔ Brand transparency + third-party testing

Look for brands that voluntarily test for purity, oxidation levels and heavy metals. If they are not transparent about testing, move on.

Quick bowel control:

How many of these boxes does your current fish oil control? If there are less than 4, read on. I have better options for you below.

Save this checklist – screenshot it, print it, tattoo it on your arm. [Kidding on that last one. Mostly.]

Why form is more important than you think

Here’s what most people don’t know: not all omega-3s are created equal.

Fish oil comes in different molecular forms, and the form determines how well your body can actually use it.

Triglyceride (TG) form: This is the natural form found in fish. Your body recognizes it easily and absorbs it efficiently.

Re-esterified triglyceride form (rTG): This is TG that has been concentrated and then converted back into the triglyceride form. It offers high potency with excellent absorption.

Ethyl ester (EE) form: This is a synthetic form that is created during processing. It’s cheaper to make, but your intestines have to work harder to break it down – and the absorption rate is slower, especially if you have digestive problems. [This is exactly why I felt nothing from most fish oils before creating More Omega.]

For women with intestinal problems? TG or rTG form is not negotiable.

The AdvoCare OmegaPlex question

This entire article came about because someone understands my Supplement to Sunday emails asked my opinion about AdvoCare OmegaPlex.

So let’s tackle it.

What OmegaPlex is:

OmegaPlex is AdvoCare’s omega-3 fish oil supplement that contains EPA and DHA – the two omega-3 fatty acids most associated with inflammation support, hormone balance and cellular health.

What OmegaPlex is not:

This is what the gut-sensitive woman should pay attention to.

OmegaPlex does not emphasize three things that are important for absorption, purity and tolerability:

• It does not use the triglyceride form (TG or rTG), which is more easily absorbed by your intestines
• No attention is paid to the purchase of small fish (anchovy/sardine) – the cleanest option for the most courage
• It does not match the powerful EPA and DHA levels found in many of today’s gold standard formulas

Is OmegaPlex a bad product? No.

But is this the best option for women with intestinal problems, inflammation or a need for omegas with higher absorption? Probably not.

Why We Created More Omega (And Why You’re Still Asking About It)

When we first developed More Omega for my supplement line, Gutbyo[me]the goal was never ‘just a fish oil’.

It is designed for the woman who:

• tried fish oil before, but felt nothing
• reacts to additives, flavorings or heavy oils
• needs clean, concentrated EPA + DHA
• wants strong absorption without digestive problems

More Omega checked all the boxes:

• Triglyceride form (rTG) for superior absorption
• High potency EPA + DHA
• Purchasing small fish
• Clean, minimal additives
• Intestinal-friendly tolerability

In short: it’s built for the woman who wants to feel a difference – and doesn’t want to just take another supplement.

And yes… we know. It was a community favorite. It sold out time and time again. You still send us a message asking when it will come back.

But since More Omega is no longer available, we did the next best thing: we researched the market and found the closest replacements.

Here's exactly how OmegaPlex stacks up against More Omega:
[I pulled the actual supplement facts panels for this comparison.]

[After doing all of this research, though, I’m feeling like More Omega needs to make a comeback?!]

The Best Fish Oils for Gut Health (based on potency, purity and tolerability, NOT marketing hype)

Since I never want to leave you hanging, I wanted to offer 2 alternatives to OmegaPlex, if you are looking for a high-quality fish oil.

1. Nordic Naturals – ProOmega® 2000

This is the closest overall match to More Omega.

Why we chose it:

• Triglyceride (rTG) form = strong absorption
• High EPA + DHA levels (especially the 2X version)
• Small fish caught in the wild
• Very pure ingredients + excellent tolerability
• Industry leading purity + transparency

Difference with More Omega: no added lipase or tocotrienols – but still our #1 choice.

2. Wiley’s Finest – Peak EPA

A strong option for second place.

Why it’s great:

• Triglyceride form
• High potency (approx. 1000 mg EPA+DHA per softgel)
• Excellent durability + made in the USA
• Very clean test profile

Difference with More Omega: No lipase/tocotrienols; more EPA heavy.

Extra solid options

If the top two aren’t available or don’t suit your dosing style, these brands have also tested well:

• Designing for health – Omega Available Hi-Po
• Pure encapsulations – EPA/DHA essentials
• Orthomolecular – OrthOmega
• Carlson Labs – Elite EPA gemstones

You can get Carlson Labs + Pure Encapsulations through my Fullscript online pharmacy.

You will find Designing for Health HERE.

And Orthomolecular HERE.

Fish oil comparison table

Here’s an overview of how these formulas stack up:

The bottom line

Here’s what you need to remember:

The quality of fish oil is important – especially if your intestines are already having a hard time.

The difference between a mediocre fish oil and a truly effective fish oil comes down to:

• Form (triglyceride wins for absorption every time)
• Potency (1000-1500 mg EPA+DHA is therapeutic)
• Source (small fish = cleaner)
• Purity (third party testing is non-negotiable)

OmegaPlex is fine, but for women with intestinal problems you need more than just fine. You need clean, powerful, absorbable and reliable.

More Omega provided that for thousands of you, and while it’s no longer available, the good news is this: you still have excellent options.

And you no longer have to find your way through the supplement aisle.

If your healing feels slow… if the inflammation feels stubborn… if the hormones don’t feel right… omega-3s can be part of your foundation.

Just choose the form your intestines actually use.

If you liked this article, you might also like:

1. Best Autoimmune Supplements
2. DHA vs EPA [Episode 73, Bites 19]
3. Home Remedies for Leaky Gut (31 Specific Things to Heal Leaky Gut)

XXX,
S.K.H

🤰 Bloating is gone! weight loss through optimal intestinal health for women
💃ʜᴇᴀʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢᴜᴛ. ʜᴇᴀʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟɪfe.
🫶🏻 Founder gutbyome.com