Prescription vs. Non-prescription Omega-3
Your omega-3 options just got a little bit more confusing with the addition of prescription omega-3.
This isn’t as confusing as it might seem. Omega-3 fish oil is now sold both as a prescription and as a dietary supplement. It is sold under many brands, and is known by many names:
- Omega-3
- Omega-3 fish oil
- Fish oil
- Omega-3-acid ethyl esthers
- Essential fatty acids
- EFAs
- DHA and EPA
Regardless of which of these terms are used, they all refer to the same thing – omega-3 fish oil.
Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements vs. Omega-3 Prescriptions.
There is an important difference between supplements and prescription medications, but in the case of omega-3 fish oil, it isn’t relevant to you. Dietary supplements are governed by a set of regulations known as DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health Education Act). These standards, to which PharmaOmega adheres, are meant to ensure that you can trust that what a supplement’s packaging says is true and accurate.
The FDA also approves new drugs and drug claims, including those for natural nutrients like omega-3 fish oil. Omega-s has been approved as a prescription medication because of the overwhelming evidence of its benefits on heart health, specifically the lowering of triglycerides.
What does this all mean to you?
First, it is important to note that it is rare that a nutrient, like omega-3, gets approval as a drug from the FDA. This indicates how strong the evidence is that omega-3 fish oil benefits the heart.
Beyond that, given that prescription omega-3 and omega-3 supplements are made from the same source, fish oil, you can treat prescription omega-3 as just another option that provides exactly the same benefits as a pharmaceutical grade supplement, like PharmaOmega.
Learn more about how to find the best omega-3 fish oil for you