Choose the Right Omega-3 Supplement for Heart Health

Certain brands may be useless at best, dangerous at worst. Heres what you need to know before you buy an omega-3 supplement.

Published: April 4, 2011

The fact that fish is good for the heart is hard to debate. Unlike animal protein, fish is low in saturated fat as well as calories. But its primary cardiovascular benefit comes from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two forms of omega-3 fatty acid found in abundance in certain forms of fatty fish. Studies of populations that consume a diet rich in fish have verified the association between high dietary intake of omega-3 ("fish oil") and low rates of cardiovascular disease.