How Your Body Absorbs Fish Oil
Impact of technological processing on the bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil: a review
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Free fatty acid form has the highest bioavailability, but triglyceride form may be more suitable overall.
Most people assume the most absorbable form is automatically the best, but oxidation risk makes free fatty acids less practical for supplements.
Practical Takeaways
Choose fish oil supplements labeled as 'triglyceride form' rather than 'ethyl ester' for better absorption.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Free fatty acid form has the highest bioavailability, but triglyceride form may be more suitable overall.
Most people assume the most absorbable form is automatically the best, but oxidation risk makes free fatty acids less practical for supplements.
Practical Takeaways
Choose fish oil supplements labeled as 'triglyceride form' rather than 'ethyl ester' for better absorption.
Publication
Journal
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
Year
2025
Authors
J. J. Martin-Olmedo, L. Jurado-Fasoli
Related Content
Claims (4)
Fish oil in triglyceride form gets absorbed better by your body than the kind in ethyl ester form.
Your body absorbs omega-3s from fish oil better depending on the form they're in — free fatty acids are easiest to absorb, triglycerides are okay, and ethyl esters are the hardest.
How fish oil is made and packaged can change how well your body absorbs it, whether you like taking it, and how much it might help your health.
Some fish oil pills that mix with water in your gut might help your body absorb omega-3s better, but we’re not totally sure yet and need more human studies to find out.