The Best High EPA Fish Oil Supplement
I listened to a podcast the other day where the interviewee was Dr. Daryl Gioffre: he’s famous for being Kelly Ripa’s doctor & the “Get Off Your Acids!” guy. His main thesis is that nearly ALL of us are consuming too much sugar, which is making us far too acidic ~ & disease thrives in an acidic environment. In addition to reducing sugar intake, the interviewer asked him what his top two favorite supplements are. His response? A high EPA fish oil & a magnesium supplement, as most of us are deficient in both. This post will discuss the first recommendation, as we look for “The Best High EPA Fish Oil Supplement.”
The single-most important reason to be taking fish oil with high EPA (vs. DHA) is that EPA dramatically lowers inflammation in the body.
“Studies have found that every single heart indicator benefits from taking high doses of EPA: cholesterol, plaque build-up, triglycerides, & blood pressure all go down.”
– Dr. Daryl Gioffre
Omega-6 Fats
- Hydrogenated Vegetable oil
- Canola oil
- Soybean oil
- Safflower oil
- Sunflower oil
- Grapeseed oil (the worst Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio out of any food or oil)
- Animal protein including poultry, unless it’s grass-fed
- Eggs
- Bread
- Processed foods like cereal, crackers, and chips
- Sesame & pumpkin seeds
Omega-3 Fats
- Wild-caught Alaskan or Pacific salmon
- Wild-caught Atlantic mackerel
- Walnuts
- Chia seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Flax Seeds
- Herring
- White fish
- Sardines
- Anchovies
- A high-quality fish oil supplement
What are You Eating More of…3 or 6?
Take a look at the two lists above: which are you eating more foods from? Be honest! At first, I thought to myself: “Well, I don’t cook with vegetable oils ~ so I’m okay with regard to Omega-6’s.” HOWEVER, when I eat out, it’s definitely possible that some restaurants cook with these oils. I also consume a lot of protein, including animal protein, eggs, sunflower seeds ~ & I do eat crackers & bread in moderation (which I didn’t realize are high in Omega-6).
So while I do love salmon, I don’t always eat it weekly: the truth is, I’m probably consuming more Omega-6’s!
Yikes.
“It’s critical that the average adult take a full 3,000mg of Omega-3 fish oil every single day. That’s far more than you’re getting from a standard fish oil supplement. It will help you balance your Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio, regulate healthy cholesterol, & keep inflammation levels at bay in your brain & body.”
– Dr. Daryl Gioffre
The Effects of Consuming High EPA Fish Oil
Last weekend, I had a little girl’s reunion with friends from high school, & we really overdid it on the sugar & alcohol consumption; the week prior, my aunt was in town, & we happened to have alcohol every day (which is not normal for me). When I got home from my trip, not only did I feel inflamed ~ but when I looked in the mirror, my face was puffier & redder. Let’s just say, not a good combination! After listening to the podcast with Dr. Gioffre, I realized that I had run out of my high EPA fish oil supplement months ago, & forgotten to re-order. So I immediately ordered it from Amazon, & started taking 3,000mg+ per day.
It’s now a week later, & here’s what I’ve noticed:
- Brighter, less tired-looking eyes (the difference is dramatic);
- Softer, more supple skin ~ on both face & body;
- My makeup is going on easier, as the skin is smoother;
- I’ve been pooping more! I don’t know if there are specific studies on this, but anecdotally: I notice that when taking a high EPA fish oil, pooping is far easier…again, I think the fish oil “lubes” you up from the inside out;
- Less dry eye.
Why High EPA & Which Supplement to Take?
Dr. Gioffre isn’t the only doctor recommending taking fish oil with high EPA. Massively popular Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman also recommends taking a high-EPA fish oil as one of his top protocols. He recommends taking between 1,500-3,000mg of it daily; which is in line with Gioffre’s recommendation.
But why does Andrew Huberman recommend taking such high does of fish oil? Primarily for cognitive & brain health, which happens to be his area of expertise. The #1 most important food element for brain health, says Huberman, is: FAT. 60% of our brains are made up of fat. If we don’t have enough fat in our diets, our brain (& heart) health suffers. He also points out that most of us are consuming plenty of Omega-6’s ~ but NOT enough Omega-3’s.
And here’s the real rub: our bodies DON’T produce Omega-3’s by themselves!! (See this study from Harvard for stats). We MUST & can only convert food into Omega-3’s. Thus, if you’re not eating enough salmon, white fish, flax, & chia seeds ~ it’s imperative to supplement with a high-EPA fish oil. Andrew Huberman recommends Thorne’s Super EPA: one capsule has 425mg of EPA, so you’ll need to take 3-4 capsules/day to reach his recommended allowance.
Or, the supplement I’ve used for years is Bronson’s Omega-3 Fish Oil Triple Strength. Two capsules have 1,250mg of EPA, 488mg of DHA. What I love about this supplement: there’s ZERO fishy taste or smell. On a “normal” day, I’ll take two capsules; if I’m feeling extra-inflamed (or have drank too much), I’ll take 3-4 capsules.
Experiment & find out what works best for you.
Hi there, I found your article because my doctor recommended taking a high-EPA fish oil, and I wanted to do a bit of research before making the investment. Well, cut to 3 months later: I started taking Bronson’s high-EPA product (that you recommend) and WOW. What a difference. Skin hair nails all feel better; skin much less dry. And my doctor has run my labs again: BIG improvement in my numbers, particularly cholesterol. Thanks for the information! Sally
You’re welcome, Sally! I think fish oil is an oft-forgotten supplement that has such a wide range of benefits. Glad to help! ~ N