- *MSRP:
$29.99- Our Price:
- $18.00
- Buy: at $18.00
- UPC: 733739016577
- # N1657
Product Overview & Quick Specs
Think of essential fatty acids like biological motor oil that keeps your vascular pipes running smoothly. NOW Foods Molecularly Distilled Omega-3 delivers 1,000 mg of purified fish oil concentrate in an odor-controlled enteric softgel. This specialized formula supports heart health, arterial elasticity, and cellular membrane flexibility without causing uncomfortable fishy burps.
- ✓ Active Form & Potency: Delivers 1,000 mg of fish oil concentrate yielding 180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA per 1 softgel.
- ✓ Primary Target: Cardiovascular endothelium, systemic inflammatory balance, and cell membrane fluidity.
- ✓ Supply & Value: 180 softgels per bottle provide a full 6-month supply at 1 softgel daily, offering exceptional everyday value.
- ✓ Purity & Dietary Status: Molecularly distilled, BSE-free bovine gelatin, non-GMO sunflower d-alpha tocopherol, free of gluten, dairy, egg, corn, and soy.
Buyer's Guide & Form Comparison
Why the Form Matters
Think of cheap big-box store fish oils like crude, unrefined fuel. Many commodity warehouse brands sell bulk oils that sit warm in supply chains, risking oxidation and heavy metal accumulation. Uncoated capsules dissolve immediately in your acidic stomach, causing gas and sour fish burps.
NOW Foods uses low-heat molecular distillation under vacuum to eliminate heavy metals, PCBs, and dioxins. Each softgel features a targeted enteric coating. This coating acts like a protective raincoat against stomach acid, allowing the capsule to dissolve only in the neutral pH of your small intestine where lipids are absorbed smoothly [1], [4].
Is This Formula Right for You?
Best Choice For:
- ✓ Adults seeking foundational daily cardiovascular support and joint comfort at a low per-day cost.
- ✓ Individuals prone to acid reflux, heartburn, or uncomfortable fishy burps from ordinary fish oil pills.
- ✓ Anyone who wants a generous 180-day supply in a single bottle to avoid frequent reordering.
Consider Another Option If:
- ✗ You have a medical allergy to fish (this formula contains anchovies, sardines, and tuna).
- ✗ You follow a strict vegan or vegetarian lifestyle (consider an algae-derived microalgal omega-3 instead).
- ✗ You cannot swallow softgels and require liquid omega-3 oil drops.
Backed by VitaNet®, LLC's 31-year reputation, your order includes an unconditional 100% money-back guarantee—even on opened bottles—letting you test this formula completely risk-free.
How It Works in the Body
1. Building Pliable Cell Membranes (Membrane Fluidity)
Think of your cells like houses built with flexible bricks. Every cell in your body is surrounded by a double wall of fats (the phospholipid bilayer). When you consume eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), your body weaves these long-chain fatty acids into those cellular walls [2]. This keeps cell envelopes fluid and bendable, allowing nutrient transport and cellular signaling to proceed without friction [2], [3].
2. Regulating Cellular Chemical Messengers (Eicosanoid Pathways)
Think of omega-3s like biological peacemakers inside your bloodstream. In times of physical exertion or normal metabolic wear, cell membranes release fatty acids to manufacture localized signaling chemicals (eicosanoids) [2]. EPA competes directly with inflammatory omega-6 fats, producing calm 3-series prostaglandins and 5-series leukotrienes [2]. These biochemical pathways help maintain balanced vascular tone and comfortable joint mobility [2], [3].
3. Smooth Arterial Circulation (Endothelial Support)
Think of your blood vessels like flexible rubber garden hoses that require supple walls to handle water pressure. Marine omega-3 fatty acids incorporate directly into blood vessel lining cells (endothelium) [3]. This structural incorporation promotes natural nitric oxide release, encouraging relaxed arterial walls and smooth cardiovascular circulation throughout the body [3].
Daily Timing, Synergy & Realistic Timelines
Best Time to Take & Meal Pairing
Take 1 softgel daily with a meal that contains healthy dietary fats, such as eggs, avocado, olive oil, or yogurt. Dietary fats in your stomach trigger your gallbladder to release bile salts and your pancreas to release fat-digesting enzymes (lipase) [1], [4]. These enzymes break the oil into microscopic droplets (micelles), boosting intestinal absorption up to three-fold compared to an empty stomach [1], [4].
Daily Schedule: Morning vs. Evening
You can take your softgel in the morning with breakfast or in the evening with dinner. Because the enteric coating prevents premature breakdown in the stomach, you do not have to worry about nighttime reflux if taken with your evening meal.
Smart Pairings & Spacing Rules
- ✓ Synergistic Stacking: Pairs exceptionally well with fat-soluble nutrients like CoQ10, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin K2 to enhance absorption and promote cardiovascular stamina.
- ✗ Two-Hour Separation Window: Separate your fish oil by at least 2 hours from fat-binding fibers (such as chitosan or psyllium husk) or activated charcoal, which can trap fatty acids and prevent uptake.
What to Expect Over Time
- ✓ Days 1–7: Clean digestive comfort with zero fishy repeating or burps as fatty acids enter circulating blood [1].
- ✓ Weeks 3–4: Steady accumulation of EPA and DHA into red blood cell membranes, supporting everyday joint ease and normal circulation [2], [3].
- ✓ Months 2–3+: Full tissue saturation across vital organs, maintaining cellular membrane flexibility and long-term cardiovascular health [2], [3].
Physical Feel, Sensory Traits & Clean Ingredients
Pill Format & Ease of Use
NOW Molecularly Distilled Omega-3 comes in an oblong, golden softgel. The smooth gelatin exterior glides down comfortably with a glass of water. Always swallow the softgel whole. Do not chew or puncture the capsule, as breaking the enteric coating will release the oil into your stomach and cancel the anti-burp benefit.
Natural Aroma, Taste & Color
Thanks to the odor-controlled enteric coating, opening the bottle reveals a clean, neutral profile without pungent fish odors. The softgels feature a translucent golden tone. Because wild ocean fish vary by season, minor natural color shifts from lot to lot are normal and reflect unbleached purity.
Other Ingredients Explained
- Bovine Gelatin (BSE-free): Forms the airtight capsule shell that seals the delicate marine oil away from atmospheric air.
- Glycerin: A plant-based humectant that keeps the gelatin capsule supple and prevents cracking during transit.
- Enteric Coating (Pharmaceutical Glaze, Ethyl Alcohol, Ammonium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Sunflower Lecithin, Medium-Chain Triglycerides): A pH-sensitive barrier that resists stomach acid (pH < 3.0) and dissolves cleanly in the small intestine.
- Water (H2O): Purified water used to hydrate and mold the gelatin during softgel formation.
- d-alpha Tocopherol (from sunflower): Natural Vitamin E added directly into the oil to act as an antioxidant bodyguard, preventing oxygen (O2) from oxidizing the omega-3 chains.
Proper Storage
Keep the bottle tightly capped and store it in a cool, dry place after opening. Avoid humid bathrooms or warm spots near the stove. While refrigeration is not required, popping the bottle in the fridge helps preserve delicate marine fatty acids.
Manufacturer Quality & Lab Testing Standards
Discount big-box store brands often purchase bulk commodity fish oil on broker markets where quality testing is minimal. In direct contrast, NOW Foods conducts comprehensive in-house testing in state-of-the-art analytical facilities accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards. Every single batch is verified against strict safety specifications.
- ✓ Heavy Metal Screening (ICP-MS): Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, NOW tests raw oil down to parts-per-billion limits for mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic, meeting or exceeding USP limits.
- ✓ Environmental Toxin Screening (GC-MS): Gas Chromatography testing confirms the absence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and furans, complying with strict GOED monograph standards.
- ✓ Freshness & Oxidation Verification: NOW tests Peroxide Values, Anisidine Values, and Totox (Total Oxidation) numbers on every lot to guarantee the oil is completely fresh and never rancid.
- ✓ Responsible Marine Sourcing: The fish oil is harvested from wild-caught anchovies, sardines, and tuna in Peru, Morocco, Mauritius, and Malaysia, then encapsulated and quality tested in the USA.
Complete Supplement Facts Panel
| Supplement Facts | Serving Size: 1 Softgel |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Container: 180 | |
| Description | Amount per Serving (% Daily Value) |
| Calories | 10 |
| Total Fat | 1 g (1%**) |
| Saturated Fat | <0.5 g (2%**) |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g (†) |
| Fish Oil Concentrate | 1 g (1,000 mg) (†) |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids: | † |
| Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) | 180 mg (†) |
| Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) | 120 mg (†) |
** Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
† Daily Value not established.
Other Ingredients: Softgel Capsule [bovine gelatin (BSE-free), glycerin, enteric coating (pharmaceutical glaze, ethyl alcohol, ammonium hydroxide, glycerin, sunflower lecithin, medium-chain triglycerides), water] and d-alpha Tocopherol (from sunflower).
Allergen Information: Contains fish (anchovies, sardines, tuna).
Manufacturing Integrity: Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, milk, egg, shellfish or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Origin & Notes: Fish oil is product of Peru, Morocco, Mauritius, Malaysia. Natural color variation may occur in this product. Packaged and quality tested in the USA. Family owned since 1968.
Caution: For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place after opening.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Scientific References & Clinical Studies
- Lawson, L. D., & Hughes, B. G. "Human absorption of fish oil fatty acids as triacylglycerols, free acids, or ethyl esters." Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1988;152(1):328–335. [PMID: 3358766]
- Calder, P. C. "Marine omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: Effects, mechanisms and clinical relevance." Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, 2015;1851(4):469–484. [PMID: 25149823]
- Mozaffarian, D., & Wu, J. H. "Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: effects on risk factors, molecular pathways, and clinical events." Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2011;58(20):2047–2067. [PMID: 22051327]
- Schuchardt, J. P., & Hahn, A. "Bioavailability of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids." Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 2013;89(1):1–8. [PMID: 23676322]
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the enteric coating completely eliminate fish burps?
Yes. Ordinary fish oil pills dissolve inside the acidic environment of your stomach, where lighter oils float and cause burping. The targeted enteric coating on NOW Molecularly Distilled Omega-3 resists stomach acid entirely. It travels intact into the neutral pH of your small intestine, preventing reflux and fishy repeating.
Can I pierce or chew the softgel if I have trouble swallowing?
No, you should always swallow this softgel whole with a full glass of water. Puncturing or chewing the capsule destroys the enteric protective layer. Once broken, the oil releases into your stomach rather than your small intestine, eliminating the anti-burp protection.
