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NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA

by NOW Foods

64 reviews analysed · 3 sources · Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Price data: 10 Feb 2026 · Confidence: 100% · Reviewed by Bart, Health & Tech Enthusiast
NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA
83
Overall Score
Very Good

Compare Prices

Amazon UK £0.22/serving
£19.99 View →

NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 is a concentrated fish oil supplement delivering 500 mg EPA and 250 mg DHA per enteric-coated softgel, sourced from molecularly distilled anchovy, sardine, and mackerel oil. Best for Adults over 50 focused on cardiovascular and joint health maintenance and People sensitive to fishy aftertaste or burping from standard fish oil capsules.

According to the AIScored 0–100 scoring system, NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA by NOW Foods scores 83.0/100, ranking #5 out of 22 products in Omega-3 & Fish Oil (2026). Strongest category: Certifications (88.0/100). Weakest: Ingredient Quality (79.0/100).

GMP Certified Non-GMO Project Verified Molecular Distillation Third-Party Tested

Is NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA ... worth buying?

“NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 scores 83/100 with an impressive 500mg EPA and 250mg DHA per softgel, and the enteric coating genuinely eliminates the fishy burps that spoil most fish oil supplements. It's molecularly distilled to remove heavy metals and comes GMP and Non-GMO certified, making it a clean, concentrated option for UK consumers.”

— AIScored Editorial Team, Mar 2026

What Do Reviewers Say About NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA?

Sample excerpts from currently available source material used in this product analysis.

"Quality fish oil supplement with effective EPA/DHA levels for heart and brain health. Good value for money from trusted brand. Downside is the taste if capsules are bitten and needs to be taken with food to avoid upset stomach."

Iherb • WellnessGuru • 19 Jan 2024

"Great soya sauce substitute.. It's grand to find this amazing substitute to soya sauce with significant less salt and not missing the Chinese umami flavor. If you has been looking for a healthy and hypertension friendly condiment sauce, thi..."

"Great stuff. This is a perfect alternative to soy and Tamari sauce. Flavourful and a little goes a long way."

"Coconut Aminos. Staff very helpful in ordering this for collection. Delivered in very short time."

"Flavourful!. Rich beef biltong - great flavour, nice pack size and a perfect snack! Such good quality."

How does NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA score?

Detailed score breakdown and key findings from our analysis of 64 reviews across 3 sources.

Effectiveness How well the product works based on user reviews
82.0/100
Good
Ingredient Quality Clean label, bioavailable forms, minimal fillers
79.0/100
Good
Value for Money Price relative to quality and quantity
85.0/100
Good
Side Effects Profile Higher = fewer/milder side effects reported
83.0/100
Good
Certifications & Testing Third-party testing, GMP, and quality certifications
88.0/100
Good
Overall Score Weighted overall recommendation
83.0/100
Good

Pros

  • +Enteric coating reliably eliminates fishy burps and aftertaste — the most frequently cited advantage across dozens of reviews
  • +High potency 500/250 mg EPA/DHA per single softgel reduces the number of capsules needed compared to standard fish oil products
  • +Molecularly distilled for heavy metal removal; GMP, Non-GMO Project Verified, GOED Omega-3 member, Kosher and Halal certified
  • +Multiple reviewers report real-world outcomes: reduced joint stiffness, improved focus, skin and hair improvements, and improved blood lipid panels
  • +Long-established brand with extensive third-party testing history and strong price-to-potency ratio

Cons

  • -Ethyl ester form rather than the superior triglyceride form — absorption may be meaningfully lower without dietary fat at time of dosing
  • -Softgels are on the larger side; some users flag swallowing difficulty despite their soft, gel texture
  • -A minority of reviewers note residual digestive fishy odour (from stomach, not burping) and recommend taking with a fat-containing meal or refrigerating the bottle
  • -Some iHerb reviews are clearly off-topic or low-information (emoji-only, unrelated product descriptions), slightly reducing the usable review signal

Best For

Adults over 50 focused on cardiovascular and joint health maintenance People sensitive to fishy aftertaste or burping from standard fish oil capsules Those seeking high-potency EPA/DHA from a single daily softgel Individuals who eat little or no oily fish and need a reliable dietary source of omega-3 Active adults looking for inflammation and recovery support after exercise

Watch Out

  • !Always take with a fat-containing meal — ethyl ester absorption drops significantly without co-ingested dietary fat
  • !Consult a doctor before use if on anticoagulants or scheduled for surgery, as high-dose omega-3 may increase bleeding risk
  • !Refrigerate after opening to slow oxidation and minimise any residual fishy odour
  • !Not suitable for vegans, vegetarians, or individuals with fish (anchovy, sardine, mackerel) allergies

What is NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA?

NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA is a omega-3 & fish oil product by NOW Foods in softgels form, scoring 83.0/100 on AIScored.

  • NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 provides a concentrated 750 mg of EPA+DHA in each softgel, including 500 mg EPA and 250 mg DHA.
  • The softgels use an enteric coating and are designed to dissolve in the intestine rather than the stomach, which can virtually eliminate fishy burps.
  • The fish oil is molecularly distilled for purity.
  • NOW Foods also notes GMP certification and extensive third-party testing, making this a dependable mid-range option for customers who want a higher-potency omega-3 formula in a single softgel.

What's Inside NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA?

NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA contains 3 active ingredients: Fish Oil Concentrate, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid).

Active Ingredients

Fish Oil Concentrate
1000mg
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
500mg
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
250mg

Other Ingredients

Bovine Gelatin (enteric coated), Glycerin, Water, Mixed Tocopherols, Enteric Coating (Methacrylic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Alginate, Stearic Acid, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Oleic Acid)

Clean Label Analysis

The enteric coating adds complexity to the ingredient list but serves a real functional purpose (prevents fishy burps). Core formulation is clean with vitamin E as the only preservative.

Allergens: Contains: fish (anchovy, sardine, mackerel). Free from: dairy, gluten, soy

Is NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA Independently Tested?

Third-Party Tested

This product has been independently tested by third-party laboratories for purity, potency, and safety.

Certifications

GMP Certified
Non-GMO Project Verified
Molecular Distillation

Additional Specifications

Fish Source
Peruvian anchovy, sardine, and mackerel; molecularly distilled
Omega Form
Ethyl Ester (enteric coated for improved absorption)

How We Score Supplements

Our methodology analyses review data, ingredient science, and product information, then scores each product on a 0-100 scale across evidence-based categories:

1

Effectiveness

How well the product delivers its claimed benefits, based on reviews and ingredient evidence.

2

Ingredient Quality

Bioavailable forms, clinically effective dosages, clean label, minimal fillers.

3

Value for Money

Price relative to ingredient quality, dosage count, and effectiveness.

4

Side Effects Profile

Higher score = fewer side effects. 100 means virtually no adverse reactions reported.

5

Certifications & Testing

Third-party lab testing, GMP certification, and independent quality verification.

6

Overall Score

Weighted combination of all factors. Our bottom-line recommendation.

How Does NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA Compare?

See how this product stacks up against the top-rated omega-3 & fish oil in our database.

Product Score Price
NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA ... (this) 83.0 £19.99
Carlson Elite Omega-3 Gems 87.0 £29.99
Life Extension Super Omega-3 EPA... 84.0 £33.90

Price History (90 days)

Quick Facts

Form
Softgels
Dose
750mg EPA+DHA
Serving
1 softgel
Servings
90
Vegan
No
Made in
USA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA worth buying in 2026?
NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA scores 83.0/100 in our analysis, based on 64 reviews. NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 is a concentrated fish oil supplement delivering 500 mg EPA and 250 mg DHA per enteric-coated softgel, sourced from molecularly distilled anchovy, sardine, and mackerel oil. Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the enteric coating ...
What is the best price for NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA in the UK?
The best price we found is £19.99 at Amazon UK, which works out to £0.22 per serving. We compare prices from 1 UK retailer and update them regularly.
What are the pros and cons of NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA?
Pros: Enteric coating reliably eliminates fishy burps and aftertaste — the most frequently cited advantage across dozens of reviews. High potency 500/250 mg EPA/DHA per single softgel reduces the number of capsules needed compared to standard fish oil products. Molecularly distilled for heavy metal removal; GMP, Non-GMO Project Verified, GOED Omega-3 member, Kosher and Halal certified. Cons: Ethyl ester form rather than the superior triglyceride form — absorption may be meaningfully lower without dietary fat at time of dosing. Softgels are on the larger side; some users flag swallowing difficulty despite their soft, gel texture. A minority of reviewers note residual digestive fishy odour (from stomach, not burping) and recommend taking with a fat-containing meal or refrigerating the bottle.
Is NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA third-party tested?
Yes, NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA is third-party tested for purity, potency, and safety. This means an independent laboratory has verified the product's contents match the label claims.
How does NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA compare to Carlson Elite Omega-3 Gems?
NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 500 EPA / 250 DHA scores 83.0/100 while Carlson Elite Omega-3 Gems scores 87.0/100. Read full comparison →

What the Data Says About Omega-3 & Fish Oil

What is the real cost per dose of omega-3 in the UK?

NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 costs £0.22/serving — the cheapest effective dose we found across 21 products. That's 750mg EPA+DHA per serving, 90 servings per bottle at £19.99 (value-for-money score: 85/100).

Here's the full price-per-serving breakdown for our top-scoring products:

  • NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3: £0.22/serving
  • Moller's Omega-3 Liquid Lemon: £0.40/serving
  • Life Extension Super Omega-3: £0.42/serving
  • WHC UnoCardio 1000: £0.45/serving
  • Carlson Elite Omega-3 Gems: £0.67/serving
  • Solgar Triple Strength: £0.70/serving

The gap between cheapest and priciest is over 3x per dose. And expensive doesn't mean better — WHC UnoCardio scores highest overall (90/100) at just £0.45/serving, while Solgar scores 79/100 at £0.70. Always divide bottle price by serving count before you compare products.

How much EPA and DHA do you actually need?

250-500mg combined EPA+DHA daily for general health. 1000-2000mg for heart health support. Most health authorities land in that range, and clinical studies typically use 1000mg+.

Our top-scoring omega-3 products hit these targets well:

  • WHC UnoCardio 1000 (90/100): 1000mg EPA+DHA — sits right in the clinical sweet spot
  • Carlson Elite Omega-3 Gems (87/100): 1600mg total omega-3 (including 800mg EPA + 600mg DHA) — the highest dose in our top 6
  • Moller's Omega-3 Liquid (80/100): 1200mg per 5ml teaspoon
  • Solgar Triple Strength (79/100): 950mg EPA+DHA
  • NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 (83/100): 750mg EPA+DHA
  • Life Extension Super Omega-3 (86/100): 700mg EPA+DHA + sesame lignans

One thing to watch: check the label for the EPA and DHA split, not just "total omega-3." Total omega-3 includes other fatty acids like ALA that aren't as well studied for the same benefits. Most research uses EPA-dominant or balanced EPA/DHA formulas.

Disclaimer: AIScored provides research-backed summaries based on publicly available reviews and product information. This is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

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