Today I’m going to be analyzing Omega XL, a highly popular omega-3 supplement commonly used for joint pain, chronic inflammation, cognitive function, and cardiovascular support amongst others.
In this Omega XL vs omega-3 post, I will see how Omega XL compares to other omega-3 supplements on the market – including krill oil, fish oil, and Cod liver oil – when it comes to reducing your joint pain, improving joint flexibility, and benefiting overall health.
If you’re wondering whether Omega XL is worth its steep price or perhaps if a regular omega-3 supplement will suffice, then you’ll want to read our full analysis below. For those in a hurry, here’s a brief summary.
Omega XL vs Omega 3 Summary
Between the two, any reputable omega-3 supplement brand will likely give you better results than Omega XL.
Omega XL uses a proprietary blend. Therefore, its claim that it has “22 times more free fatty acids” than regular fish oil doesn’t hold water since there’s no way to see ingredient doses on the label.
In addition, I only found a couple of studies done on the formula of Omega XL – all of which are industry-funded. Omega XL’s formula also contains far lower doses of the ingredients than what the studies used.
There is absolutely no reason to pay $48.99 for Omega XL when you can get the same, or better general health benefits from almost any regular fish oil, krill oil, or Cod liver oil supplement.
That said, if you’re looking for something to help you with joint pain and flexibility, you can definitely find better options on the market than either Omega XL or a standalone omega-3 supplement. A professional joint stack that addresses pain, mobility, connective tissue strength, and cartilage repair should be considered if you’re serious about improving your joint health.
Omega XL vs Omega 3: The Basics
A Word About Omega-3s
When talking about omega-3 fatty acids, they are some of the most important nutrients in the human diet.
Omega-3 oils help to fight inflammation, promote skin and brain health, and might improve cardiovascular function.
Not only that, omega-3s can lower osteoarthritis and joint pain caused by a systemic inflammatory response.1
As we cannot make these fatty acids on our own, we need to be consuming them through foods or over-the-counter supplements. Some food sources high in omega-3s include salmon, sardines, walnuts, and certain soy products.
Since many of us don’t eat nearly enough of these foods to fully benefit from the amazing omega-3s, supplements can be an excellent way to boost up your intake.
However, with so many omega-3 supplements on the market, it can be hard to tell which ones are worth the money, and which aren’t!
Should you opt for a normal omega-3 supplement? Or should you look for a high-dose omega-3 product to target joint pain and inflammation? Is Omega XL really superior to your standard fish oil supplement? We’ll now go over Omega XL to see how it compares to regular fish oil. Please post any comments or questions at the bottom of this post.
About Omega XL
Omega XL (or also typed OmegaXL) is one of the most popular fish oil supplements out there. It’s been massively advertised online ever since the early 2010’s, and its popularity doesn’t seem to be going down.
But what does Omega XL actually do? How does it differ from fish oil? Is it really worth the premium $48.99 per bottle (30 servings) that it costs?
Great Healthworks says Omega XL gives you some unique advantages that make it superior to your standard omega-3 pills;
- Packed with 22 times more “free fatty acids” than a typical fish oil supplement
- Alleviates joint pain caused by inflammation
- More efficient absorption and utilization
- No aftertaste or fishy burps
This is an interesting route Great Healthworks is taking. Omega-3 oils in general are known to lower inflammation. By extension, they can help lower your joint pain caused by inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
But the manufacturer says that between Omega XL vs fish oil, Omega XL gives you more bioavailable fatty acids.
If Omega XL can really do all that it claims, then it will be one incredible omega-3 supplement!
Let’s find out if that’s the case.
What Does the Science Say?
The best way to see if Omega XL really works as advertised is by inspecting its ingredients – and checking the science behind them.
So, what’s inside Omega XL? Here’s a look:
- OmegaXL Proprietary Blend – 300mg
- Green lipped mussel extract (PCSO-524) (amount unknown)
- Omega fatty acids (amount unknown)
- Extra virgin olive oil (amount unknown)
- Vitamin E (amount unknown)
- Green lipped mussel extract (PCSO-524) (amount unknown)
What you’ll notice here is that Omega XL is a proprietary blend. The product doesn’t show doses of ingredients, which makes it impossible to see exactly how much omega-3s we’re getting.
Omega XL’s main selling point is that it contains a mixture of 30 healthy fatty acids including omega-3s, which are known for their anti-inflammatory effects on the joints.
However, I can tell you that 300mg of all the ingredients combined doesn’t look like it has effective doses of any of the ingredients to produce real results.
But what about all the “free fatty acids” claims of OmegaXL? Didn’t the manufacturer say it’s more effective than regular fish oil for joint inflammation?
Is Omega XL Better Than Standard Fish Oil, Krill Oil, Cod Liver Oil, and Other Sources of Omega-3s?
I found two clinical trials on PCSO-524, the main ingredient of Omega XL.
Both studies were industry funded. One of them was a human study and it used significantly higher doses than what is found in Omega XL.
When you factor in all the drawbacks of Omega XL, there’s little reason to choose it over standard omega-3. Omega XL doesn’t look like a quality formula to me.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a quality joint supplement, I recommend going for a more comprehensive option with studied ingredients in disclosed amounts.
Omega XL vs Omega 3: Safety Analysis
Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential part of the human diet and as such, are safe and healthy for most people. Omega-3 supplements in general, including Omega XL, shouldn’t lead to negative side effects.
However, note that omega-3s may potentially thin the blood. So if you’re on any medications, you will need to check with your doctor before using an omega-3 supplement – be it fish oil, krill oil, or Cod liver oil.
Omega XL vs Omega 3: What’s Cheaper?
Omega XL costs $46.90 for a bottle of 30 servings (shipping and handling included). You also get a free bottle of VitaminXL D3.
This comes with an auto-ship option where you get a new order sent to you every 60 days. Their website made it really difficult for me to find a one-time purchase option. And I consider myself to be a somewhat tech-savvy person.
The price itself is on par, or a little bit more than a standard-quality fish oil supplement. Considering that Omega XL is no better – possibly worse than – a regular omega-3 supplement, it’s definitely not a good value for money. I would recommend a fish oil supplement from any reputable brand over it, any day.
The Bottom Line
Which is better, Omega XL or a standard omega-3 supplement?
Between the two, the clear winner is an omega-3 supplement from any reputable brand. It will likely have more of an effect than Omega XL that doesn’t show ingredient doses on the label. For the price, it’s not worth it for me.
With that said, do I think an omega-3 supplement is your best option for joint pain and flexibility? Not really.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, omega-3s alone may not be enough to produce an anti-inflammatory effect where you notice results. A more comprehensive formula consisting of multiple safe & studied joint health ingredients is needed if you want the maximum positive impact on your joint function.
References
- Krupa K, Fritz K, Parmar M. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. [Updated 2024 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. ↩︎
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