Have you ever stood in the supplement aisle of the grocery store, so confused on which supplement to choose? We know the feeling. More specifically, the search for the right omega 3 fish oil supplement can be overwhelming. We’re here to help!

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for healthy eyes. In the video below, we'll discuss how increasing your intake of omega-3s can help alleviate symptoms of dry eye. We'll provide tips on how to incorporate more omega-3 rich foods into your diet, as well as the benefits they bring. Tune in to learn more about the power of omega-3s and how they can help improve your eye health!

What is Fish Oil?

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the most common forms of omega 3 fatty acids. These healthy, polyunsaturated fats are often sought out for their antioxidant properties, and studies have shown benefits of supplementation throughout the body.

EPA is generally thought to play a larger antiinflammatory role, and DHA is often discussed in relation to brain and eye health. However, they always work together for the amazing benefits they provide.

The Types of Fish Oil for Eye Health

Ethyl Ester Oil

This form of fish oil is created by concentrating and then removing impurities from natural fish oils through a process that changes the molecular structure of the substance. It is never converted back into the more bioavailable form, which is triglyceride. 

While the ethyl ester form contains fewer contaminants and has higher levels of DHA and EPA when compared to the natural form, it is not as easily absorbed by the body. This reduced rate of absorption is most likely due to the fact that the structure of the oil must be broken down within the body and converted to triglyceride before it can properly be absorbed. 

This means you may have to up your dosage to notice the effects, or you may not notice any changes. The majority of fish oil supplements you’ll find on supermarket shelves are going to be ethyl ester based because they are much cheaper for companies to produce.

Re-Esterified Triglyceride Oil

This form of fish oil is the closest to eating real fish and is formed by extracting the natural oils from fatty fish. In order for the natural fish oil in your supplements to be pure enough for you to consume, it must undergo a purification process. Then, in order to be more bioavailable and easily absorbed by your body, the fish oil is reconverted back into the triglyceride form. Ethyl esters are never converted back into the triglyceride form. 

The greatest benefit of re-esterified triglyceride fish oil is its bioavailability. The critical fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are more easily absorbed by the body when compared to the ethyl ester form. 

Aside from more optimal absorption rates, the triglyceride form has fewer side effects. With ethyl esters, there is the possibility of digestive upset and fishy burps. However, if you consume only pharmaceutical grade triglyceride fish oil, this is not something you’ll have to worry about.

5 Omega-3 Supplements to Add to Your Routine

1. PRN DE3

If you’ve visited a dry eye specialist before, you may have been prescribed PRN’s DE3 Omega Benefits. This is a superior omega-3 product which is specifically formulated for patients with irritated eyes. 

PRN DE3 is made from the re-esterified triglyceride form of fish oil and may help to maintain a healthy tear film. It contains 1680 mg EPA and 560 mg DHA, which has been shown in multiple studies to be beneficial for eye health. Simply take 3 softgels per day, together or separately, and hopefully you’ll notice improvement in your eyes. 

2. Heyedrate Omega 3

The Heyedrate Omega-3 for Healthy Eyes was designed specifically with your irritated eyes in mind. This formula combines 515 mg EPA and 415 mg DHA of re-esterified triglyceride (rTg) fish oil with 40 mg omega-7, antioxidant vitamins E and C, B6, and magnesium. We love this supplement because it covers all of the bases and is a well-rounded addition to your supplement routine. Simply take 3 softgels per day, together or separately.

3. PRN Omega-V Benefits

Vegans and vegetarians need omega 3 fatty acids too! If you fall into one of these groups, PRN’s Omega-V Benefits️ is one of the best options on the market. This formula contains algae oil, which is a pure, non-fish, sustainable source of EPA and DHA.

It contains 330 mg EPA and 670 mg DHA, which is lower than traditional omega 3 supplements for eye health. However, this bioavailable triglyceride form is easily absorbed for eye, heart, brain and overall health benefits that you’ll never get from ethyl ester fish oil. Simply take 1 teaspoon per day to notice benefits.

4. Doctor's Advantage

Doctor’s Advantage manufactures a wonderful omega 3 supplement, Omega Shield, which contains an advanced and unique formula of powerful antioxidants to help your body’s natural defenses.  This blend of omegas 3 contains 600 mg EPA, 400 mg DHA, and 200 mg of additional omega 3s. Take 3 softgels per day for optimal benefits.

5. Lipotriad

The Lipotriad omega supplement was formulated to create more tears and improve and maintain the quality of them. It contains 1400 mg total triglyceride-based omega-3 (504 mg EPA, 378 mg DHA, and 350 mg ALA) along with flaxseed oil and vitamin E. We love the combination in this supplement, as it provides critical nutrition essential to supporting eye health. Simply take 2 softgels per day for optimal benefits.

As you can see, there’s a lot to learn about omega 3 fatty acids. While ethyl ester versions may be cheaper and easier to find in drugstores around the country, don’t be fooled! Do your research and seek out a re-esterified triglyceride pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement for the best eye health benefits.

Oils to Use in Your Home

• Organic Avocado Oil

• Organic, Unrefined Coconut Oil

• Organic, Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Healthy Vegetarian Omega-6 and Omega-3

• Avocado (15:1 omega-6 to omega-3 ratio)

• Flaxseed oil (or ground flaxseed)

• Chia seeds

• Evening primrose oil

• Black currant seed oil

• Walnuts

• Almonds (Almond butter)

• Sunflower seeds (Sunflower seed butter)

• Sesame seeds

• Pine nuts

• Brazil nuts

• Pecans

• Pumpkin seeds

• Hemp seeds

• Fresh basil

• Dried oregano

• Cloves

• Canned grape leaves

Healthy Meat Omega-6 and Omega-3

• Organic, pasture raised eggs

• Organic, grass-fed, pasture raised beef

• Organic, grass-fed, pasture raised poultry

• High quality wild caught fish

  • Wild mackerel

  • Wild Alaskan salmon 

  • Wild herring

  • Wild caught tuna

  • Wild caught sardines

Oils to Avoid 

• Margarine

• Shortening (Crisco)

• Fake Butter Substitutes (I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter)

• Corn Oil

• Soybean Oil

• Canola Oil

• “Vegetable” Oil

• Peanut Oil 

• Cottonseed Oil

• Grapeseed Oil

• Hydrogenated oils (check the ingredients list)

• Trans Fat (check the nutritional information)

Foods to Avoid (Unhealthy Omega-6):  

• ANY fried foods

• Salad dressing - substitute vinegar instead, like balsamic

• Chips

• Fast Food - chicken fingers, french fries, hash browns, chicken nuggets

• Freezer meals

• Cookies, candy, cakes, pastries, muffins, candy bars, etc

• Pork products such as bacon, pork chops, pork loin, ham

• Cheese

Week 4: Download the Supplemental Info

Challenge of the Week

• Start taking a re-esterified triglyceride based Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplement, like Heyedrate Omega 3

• Only stock your house with the 3 Oils in the approved list - Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, and Organic Olive Oil (throw out the rest) 

Supplement of the Week (affiliate links)

• Week 1: Mighty Maca

• Week 2: Heyedrate Lid and Lash Cleanser

• Week 3: Passion 4 Life Multivitamin

• Week 4: Heyedrate Omega-3 for Healthy Eyes

 This is week 4 of our Rethinking Dry Eye Challenge.  If you haven't signed up yet, enter your email below. 

Drs. Travis and Jenna Zigler, President and VP of Eye Believe Foundation

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

This video/content is not intended to provide personalized medical advice or to take the place of any guidance or treatment you may receive from your own physician or other health care professional. It is for general informational and educational purposes only.  

All readers/viewers are advised to consult their own doctor or other qualified health professional regarding any personal health issues or specific health questions they may have.  This video/content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship between the viewer/reader and either Dr. Travis or Jenna Zigler, and neither of the Drs. Zigler, nor the publisher of this video/content, take responsibility for any possible health consequences to any person who may follow the information provided in this educational video/content.

All viewers/readers of this video/content, especially those undergoing treatment from a medical professional for a known health condition, or who are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their health care provider(s) before altering any current medication, nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, or initiating any new program.

Affiliate Information

The Eye Believe Foundation is an affiliate for some or all of the products on this page.  When you click the link and purchase on Amazon, you help support our ministry in helping end preventable blindness. 

It is the mission, duty and purpose of the Eye Believe Foundation to address, educate, coordinate, and provide aid and relief to those who have no access to proper eye care on a local and global level.

We believe that everyone deserves great vision. But over ONE BILLION people are functionally blind due to lack of glasses.  

As optometrists, we see it as our duty to be available, when we are capable, to provide one of the most important yet basic human rights to ordinary people by giving them the vision they thought they had lost. This enables them to not only see the faces of their loved ones again, but also provide for themselves and their families through careers they may have lost to poor vision.

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