Size
Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA Vegan
If you want omega-3 fatty acids without a cupboard full of separate bottles, this softgels option from Nordic Naturals is a sensible place to start.
Why people take it
- Omega-3 DHA and EPA contribute to the normal function of the heart (with a daily intake of 250 mg)
- Omega-3 DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and normal vision (with a daily intake of 250 mg)
How to use
Take as directed on the pack, ideally with food and at the same time each day.
Good to know
- Format: softgels
- Caffeine free
A food supplement, not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated dose. Keep out of reach of children.
At a glance
£1.03
per daily dose
Moderate
evidence for omega-3 (epa and dha)
Our honest take
A vegan, algae-based DHA supplement for pregnancy and breastfeeding: 2 softgels give 500 mg of DHA in triglyceride form, from a brand that publishes third-party purity tests. Algal oil is where fish get their omega-3 from, so it is a genuine fish-free source of DHA rather than a plant ALA substitute, and the softgel is made from cornstarch rather than gelatin. At about £1 a day it is expensive; if you eat oily fish once or twice a week you may not need it.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding, vegan or vegetarian, and eat no oily fish
- You have a fish allergy and want a DHA source
- You value independent purity testing
- You eat oily fish regularly or are happy with fish oil, which costs less
- Your pregnancy multivitamin already includes DHA and vitamin D
- You take anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicines, without speaking to your GP or midwife
The science
Omega-3 (EPA and DHA)· evidence: Moderate
EPA and DHA are long-chain omega-3 fats found mainly in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, and in algae. The NHS advises eating two portions of fish a week, one of them oily. People who eat no oily fish get very little EPA and DHA from their diet.
What counts on a label is the EPA plus DHA per daily dose, not the total amount of fish oil: a 1,000 mg fish oil capsule often contains only 300 mg of EPA and DHA. Authorised claims for heart, brain and vision need at least 250 mg a day, and many cheaper products fall short of that.
Large reviews have found that omega-3 supplements make little or no difference to heart attacks, strokes or deaths in the general population. They are a reasonable option for people who do not eat oily fish, and DHA intake matters in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart (with a daily intake of 250 mg of EPA and DHA). DHA contributes to maintenance of normal brain function (with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA). DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision (with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) maternal intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants (information to pregnant and lactating women; daily intake of 200 mg of DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake for omega-3 fatty acids for adults, i.e. 250 mg DHA and EPA).
Typical dose: 250 to 500 mg of EPA plus DHA a day for general use; an extra 200 mg of DHA a day in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Check the EPA and DHA figures, not the fish oil total.
Safety: EFSA considers up to 5 g a day of EPA and DHA combined safe for adults. Avoid if you are allergic to fish (or shellfish, for krill oil). Talk to your GP or pharmacist if you take anticoagulants such as warfarin or antiplatelet medicines, or before surgery. Cod liver oil also contains vitamin A, so avoid it in pregnancy. Mild burps and fishy aftertaste are common.
Research we looked at:
Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020;3:CD003177.
EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific Opinion on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). EFSA Journal 2012;10(7):2815.
EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to EPA, DHA, DPA and maintenance of normal cardiac function. EFSA Journal 2010;8(10):1796.
NHS. Fish and shellfish. nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/fish-and-shellfish-nutrition
Ingredients & nutrition
Always check the pack you receive, as manufacturers sometimes update recipes.
How to use
Price per dose & how it compares
| Product | Size | Price | Per daily dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| This product | 60 softgels | £30.99 | £1.03 |
| Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA | from £25.09 | £0.56 | |
| Conteh Sports Flax Seed Oil | from £10.49 | – |
Cost per daily dose lets you compare packs of different sizes fairly.Worked out from our current prices.
Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. General information, not medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication.
If you want omega-3 fatty acids without a cupboard full of separate bottles, this softgels option from Nordic Naturals is a sensible place to start.
Why people take it
- Omega-3 DHA and EPA contribute to the normal function of the heart (with a daily intake of 250 mg)
- Omega-3 DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and normal vision (with a daily intake of 250 mg)
How to use
Take as directed on the pack, ideally with food and at the same time each day.
Good to know
- Format: softgels
- Caffeine free
A food supplement, not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated dose. Keep out of reach of children.
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